Surname	BLISS
First Names	Arthur
Rank	Second Lieutenant
Regiment	‘C’ Coy, 4th Bn, Royal Army Medical Corps and Leinster Regiment
Died	9th Sept 1916
Age	28
Cause of Death	Killed in Action
Country where killed	France & Flanders
Buried	Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France
Grave reference	4C
RGS	1895-1902	Photo of Arthur Joseph Bliss

What we know about him:

He was twenty eight years old, and a temporary Second Lieutenant in the 4th Battalion, Leinster Regiment during the First World War and then he was in The Royal Army Medical Corps.

He was most likely to be killed in the Battle of Ginchy which was part of the first Battle of the Somme (1 July-18 November 1918).

It was launched in advance of the main September offensive (battle of Flers-Courcelette), to push the British front line nearer to the main German defences, which ran to the north of the village.

Researched by Oliver Knightley

Surname	BROOKS
First Names	Reginald St Georg
Rank	Second Lieutenant
Regiment	97th Bde, Royal Field Artillery
Died	26 September 1915
Age	25
Cause of Death	Killed in action
Country where killed	France
Buried	Dud Corner Cemetery, Loos
Grave reference	VI.F.2
RGS	1904-1905

What we know about him:
There is not much information on Brooks and it is unknown why he is also the only WW1 casualty from the Royal Grammar School who doesn’t have a picture.

Reginald Brooks was born on the 15 January 1890 and his parents were stockbrokers in Middlesex. His parents last known address was at St Swiths, Sidney Rd, Staines. The location of Brooks’ memorial is at The Royal Grammar School in High Wycombe. It is believed that Brooks fought in The Battle of Loos as he is buried in Loos.

He was at the school from 1904 to 1905, a boarder, and at the outbreak of war was in Rhodesia. In his last winter he was stationed in Wycombe with his Brigade.

Researched by Hasan Arif 9S

Surname	COLES
First Names	Herbert, W
Rank	Second Lieutenant
Regiment	‘A’ Coy, 2nd Bn, Rifle Brigade
Died	18th November 1917
Age	19
Cause of Death	Killed in Action
Country where killed	Belgium
Buried	Tyne Cot Memorial. Zonnebeke, Belgium
Grave reference	Panel 145-7
RGS	1909-1913	Picture of H. Coles

What we know about him:
Herbert Coles was nineteen years old, and a Second Lieutenant in the 2nd Battalion, The Rifle Brigade when he was killed in action. Son of Frank and Gertrude Edith Coles, H. Coles joined the Artists’ Rifles at the age of 18 and was drafted to a battalion of the Rifle Bridge only a few weeks after leaving the O.C.U. Little is known of his death although a potential story is shown in an extract from the Old Wycombiensian.

A letter from the Colonel commanding his Battalion says that he must have been blown up by a shell on his way back to Company Headquarters to report the establishment in the line of his platoon, which had just taken over a sector. "Although your son," he writes to Mr. Coles, "had only been with us a short time; he had proved himself a very efficient officer, and was greatly respected by all his brother officers and men, and we were all very sorry to hear that he was missing.”

Little is known of his school life. After leaving however in 1913, he was employed by the Great Western Railway Company before the war. His brother also fought in the war, and was with the Middlesex Regiment, fighting in India.

Researched by Sam Kaner

Surname	ECCLES
First Names	Henry
Rank	Second Lieutenant
Regiment	Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry
Died	28th Feb.1917
Age	30
Cause of Death	Killed in action
Country where killed	Greece
Buried	Karasouli Military Cemetery, Greece
Grave reference	B.235
RGS	1896-1900

What we know about him:
Henry Eccles was the brother of Joseph Eccles, the 12th RGS boy to die during WW1.

They were both killed in action serving with the Ox & Bucks Light Infantry although Henry received a commission and was killed in Salonika.

His parents were William & Elizabeth Caroline Eccles. His father worked as a paper works manager at Glory Mills.

Researched by Jordan Broatch

Surname	ECCLES
First Names	Joseph Blackburn
Rank	Lance Corporal
Regiment	Oxford & Bucks Light Infantry 1/1st Bucks Battalion
Died	23 August 1916
Age	20
Cause of Death	Killed in Action
Country where killed	France, Flanders
Buried	Thiepval Memorial
Grave reference	Pier & Face 10A & 10D
RGS	1904-1908	Photo of J.B. Eccles

What we know about him:

JB Eccles was born on 08 Mar 1896 in Wooburn Green. He was then baptised at 02 Jun 1897 High Wycombe Wesleyan Church.

Although we do not know his pre-war occupation, we know that Eccles was born to William & Elizabeth Caroline Eccles, who were paper works managers at Glory Mills. They lived in Wooburn Green.

He is the brother of Henry Eccles, also killed in WW1, and they have a family headstone at High Wycombe Cemetery.

Researched by Henry Wright 9CG

Surname	EVANS
First Names	Edgar
Rank	Private 19773
Regiment	Coldstream Guards 1st Battalion
Died	27th March 1918
Age	19
Cause of Death	Killed in action
Country where killed	France
Buried	Arras Memorial, Pas de Calais, France.
Grave reference	Bay 1
RGS	1909-1913	Photo of Edgar Evans

What we know about him:

He was the son of James & Clara Evans (a chair maker) before the war he was an apprentice in a chair factory. He lived on Victoria St, High Wycombe.

Edgar James Evans served with the 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards. He was killed in the Battle of Rosières (a German offensive).

He died on the 27th March during the 2nd day of the battle.

Researched by Alastair Butler 9S

Surname	FANE
First Names	Dennis
Rank	Private
Regiment	East Surrey East SurreyRegiment 7th Battalion
Died	3rd May 1917
Age	20
Cause of Death	Killed in Action
Country where killed
Buried	Arras Memorial
Grave reference	Bay 6
RGS	1908 - 1911

What we know about him:

Dennis Fane was born on the 15th August 1896 in High Wycombe. He was the son of Aubrey J & Alice Fane and the brother of Victor Fane.

His Father was a postman, formerly chair maker and since 1901 they lived on 81 Desborough Road, High Wycombe.

Before Dennis joined the army he was a cabinet maker.

Researched by Oli Morris 9CG

Surname	GARDNER
First Names	Basil Ronald Leslie
Rank	Private
Regiment	Heavy Branch, D Bn Machine Gun Corps
Died	11th April 1917
Age	22
Cause of Death	Killed in Action
Country where killed	France
Buried	Arras Mémorial, Pas de Calais, France
Grave reference	Bay 10
RGS	1906-1912	Private Basil Gardner

What we know about him:
Private Basil Gardner was 22 and part of D Battalion in the Machine gun Corps fighting near the coast in France. He was enlisted in Coventry, Warwickshire and was born on the 14th May 1895. His father, George was a retired ironmonger and his mother, Caroline did not work. The family home was Thornton House in High Wycombe, where basil grew up and before being enlisted was where he was an apprentice at a local motor company.

Private Gardner fought on the western front at the Battle of Arras in the Tank Corps and was reported missing in the first battle of Bullecourt. At this battle the Tank Corps deployed eleven Mark II tanks, and due to misleading reports about the extent of the gains made by the Australians the Germans found it very easy to counter attack. They used a tactic known as ‘Elastic defence’ making their counterattacks very effective. It was because of this that the Germans were able to secure two of the British tanks. Of these two tanks one of them contained Private Gardner; any exact details on how he died are still unknown. And as far as records go he was posted missing in action in Vol 4 of the Wycombiensian, however newer sources have confirmed that Private Basil Gardner lost his life and is now commemorated on the Arras memorial in France. Researched by Ross Wilson 9CG

Surname	GARDNER
First Names	Jack Copestake
Rank	Lance Corpral
Regiment	C Coy, 9th Bn, Royal Sussex Regiment
Died	14th February 1916
Age	21
Cause of Death	Killed In Action
Country where killed	Belgium
Buried	Menin Road South Mil Cem, YpresRef
Grave reference	Plot I Row H grave 1
RGS	1907 - 1909

His Parents, John Martin Gardner and Matilda Axten Gardner lived at 21, Roberts Rd., High Wycombe. Previous to World War One Gardner made a living as a furniture shop assistant. His parent’s occupations were a pawn broker and a jeweller’s manager. On the day of his death the Entente powers made a declaration guaranteeing to Belgium their eventual independence.

J.C Gardner only attended RGSHW for two years but in that time he took part in many extra-curricular sports and clubs and represented the school many times. He played as centre-back for the school football team and also played cricket for the school. He lived in High Wycombe his whole life.

Researched b y Joel Fryer 9CG

Surname	GATES
First Names	Douglas Leslie
Rank	Second Lieutenant
Regiment	Suffolk Regiment 1st Battalion
Died	1st October 1915
Age	23
Cause of Death	Killed in Action
Country where killed	France
Buried	Loos Memorial, Pas de Calais
Grave reference	Panel 37 and 38
RGS	1902-08	Douglas Leslie Gates

What we know about him:

Douglas Leslie Gates was born in Hornsey, Middlesex, on March 21st 1892 to Edward and Mary Gates, a peat merchant and a steamship agent. We must assume he was a boarder at RGS. Before the war he was a land agent. He lived on 32 Dukes Avenue, Muswell Hill, and London.

Surname	GOTCH
First Names	Geoffrey William
Rank	Lieutenant
Regiment	Royal Air Force
Died	22nd October 1918
Age	22
Cause of Death	Influenza (Spanish flu) while on leave
Country where died	England
Buried	High Wycombe Cemetery.
Grave reference	291
RGS	1907-1909

What we know about him:

Born 18th November 1895 in Japan and went to English Mission School, Kobe, Japan. He then moved to England and went to Berkhamsted Collegiate School before going to RGS in 1907. His parents were Frederic Whitaker & Emily Harsant Gotch; they were tea merchants and lived in Bedford House, London Road, and High Wycombe.
At RGS, he was awarded second XI colours and first XI colours for cricket, and he represented East in the House cricket matches. He also played football for the RGS ‘A’ team and played rugby.
Gotch started in the Honourable Artillery Company in London, as second lieutenant, this is a territorial company so he was probably a banker. Early in 1914, with the 1st Battalion Infantry, he saw varied service with the battalion through that anxious winter. In the next year he was wounded and gassed.
In 1916 he passed the test for the Indian Army, but as there was no opening for the Artillery in that service he was put in the Royal Garrison Artillery. In 1917, after six months with the R.G.A Gotch took to the air and qualified as an observer. He returned to England to qualify for his Pilot's "wings" when he caught Spanish Flu and died soon afterwards at home.

The pandemic of 1918 caused three waves of disease. The second of these, between September and December 1918, resulting in the heaviest loss of life. It is thought that the virus may have played a role in ending the Great War as soldiers were too sick to fight, and by that stage more men on both sides died of flu than were killed by weapons. Although most people who were infected with the virus recovered within a week following bed rest, some died within 24 hours of infection.

Researched by Sam Williams 9S

Surname	Hill
First Names	Henry, Hamp
Rank	Captain
Regiment	11th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales Own)
Died	8th March 1916
Age	19
Cause of Death	Died of wounds
Country where killed	France
Buried	Cabaret-Rouge British Cemetery, Souchez, Pas de Calais, France
Grave reference	IX.C.1
RGS	1906-1911

What we know about him:

He was 19 when he died of wounds in France which he received after being shot in No-Man’s Land.

He entered the RGS in November 1906, and left in September 1914, when he was commissioned straight into the 11th West Yorkshire Regiment.
During his time at the RGS he captained the 1st XI team through the football seasons in 1912-13 and 1913-14, and was Sports Champion for two successive years, 1913-14. He was also high up in the “Fives” championship.

His school record showed great promise, and he went onto gain an Intermediate Scholarship in 1912, and in the same year passed the Oxford Junior Locals with first class honors. He passed the Senior Examination in the next year and the London Matriculation in January, 1914. He was also looking for a University Scholarship in Mathematics at the outbreak of the war.

Hill was in the Officer’s Training Corps from the start, was present at four Camps, and was a most energetic and capable Platoon Sergeant. In March, 1914, he passed the Examination for Certificate “A”, and was posted direct to his unit from the Corps in September. Promotion in the Service came very quickly for Hill, and by March, 1915, he was a Captain at the young age of 18.

The Wycombiensian records that he returned while on leave to the school in February 1916 and gave a talk to the boys on his experiences in the trenches. He died of wounds just a month later.

Researched by Ali Ibn-Munir 9S

Surname	HICKS
First Names	William Ewen
Rank	Private
Regiment	Rough Riders, City of London Yeomanry
Died	22 August 1915
Age	17
Cause of Death	Died of wounds
Country where killed	Gallipoli
Buried	Helles Memorial, Turkey
Grave reference	Panel 20
RGS	1910-1912

What we know about him:
He was seventeen years old, the youngest RGS boy to join the war. He was recruited by the “Rough Riders” Yeomanry Regiment. The unit had originally been formed in 1900 as the 20th Battalion, Imperial Yeomanry, and designated for service in the Second Boer War. The battalion's adopted nickname of the "Rough Riders" was taken from the US cavalry regiment that fought in the Spanish-American War.
He was killed in action at Gallipoli in the Battle of Scimitar Hill. (August 22nd). He served in the O.T.C. from 1910 to 1912, and was serving in the City of London Yeomanry (Roughriders) at the time of his death.Gallipoli was one of the Allies great disasters in World War One. Gallipoli was the plan thought up by Winston Churchill to end the war early by creating a new front that the Central Powers would have to divert resources to deal with. Researched by Mehul Vij 9CG

Surname	HUMPHREYS
First Names	William
Rank	Private
Regiment	4th Bn, Oxford & Bucks Light Infantry
Died	20 February 1919
Age	19
Cause of Death	Spanish Flu ?
Country where killed	England
Buried	Monks Risborough (St. Dunstan) Churchyard
Grave reference	D.205 eastern boundary
RGS	1909-1913

What we know about him:

William was born on 23rd February 1899 in Owlswick. William’s father was a farmer called George Humphreys. His mother was called Clara Louisa. He was nineteen years old, and a private in the 4th Battalion, The Oxford & Bucks Light Infantry. William Humphreys actually died after the war, in England, most likely of Spanish Flu. A massive Pandemic during that time.

The 1918 flu pandemic was a bird flu. It spread through the world killing between 50 million and 100 million people. The flu did not actually start in Spain. Spain was a neutral country in World War I so it did not need to censor its news. This meant that nearly all news reports of the disease came from Spain.

Researched by Jethro Reeve 9CG

Surname	KEEN
First Names	Leonard, Gregory
Rank	Private 74069
Regiment	Devonshire Regiment 2nd Battalion
Died	26th May 1918
Age	18
Cause of Death	Killed in action
Country where killed	France
Buried	Soissons Memorial, Aisne, France
Grave reference	Soissons Memoria
RGS	1910 - 1914	Leonard Keen

Leonard's body was never found but he believed to have been killed in action surrounding the Bois de Buttes battle, in which the 2nd Devon’s fought to virtually the last man and held back a large German offensive long enough for reserves to be brought forward.

Keen’s regiment was uniquely awarded the ‘Croix de Guerre’, the highest French award for bravery in battle, an example of which is still worn by The Rifles in memory of this regimental Battle Honour.

Researched by Nigel Koleth 9S

Surname	LEYS
First Names	Colin, McLaren
Rank	Second Lieutenant
Regiment	8th Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment
Died	15th Sep 1916
Age	22
Cause of Death	Killed in action
Country where killed	France
Buried	Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France
Grave reference	Pier & Face 2C
RGS	1905-1911

What we know about him:

Enlisted August 1914 and was Gazetted May 1915. Formerly of the London Regiment (Queens Westminster Rifles) before his commission. His previous job before the war was as a clerk at the Royal Mail steam packet Co. Colin McLaren Leys was part of the Bedfordshire Regiment that eventually took Thiepval. Unfortunately he died on the day the offensive gained some of its most important ground. This was also during the battle that tanks and aeroplanes were used in conjunction for the first time.

Colin sent a letter home which was put in to the Wycombiensian. He wrote about the Christmas truce in 1914:

“…after a bit we came to a group of men talking together, and found they were composed of previous deadly enemies! We shook hands and exchanged cigarettes.”

Leys gave money to the school to help build the Fives Courts and also to help level out and labour the grounds. He was also a part of the football team and played as a striker.

Researched by Sahir Qureshi 9CG

Surname	MORGAN
First Names	Idris Aneurin
Rank	Captain
Regiment	South Wales Borderers 11th Battalion
Died	17 Apr 1918
Age	28
Cause of Death	Killed In Action (shell fragment)
Country where killed	France
Buried	Meteren Military Cemetery
Grave reference	II.N.343
RGS	1912-1914

What we know about him: He was in the 11th Batallion, South Wales Borderers where he was a Captain. At his time at the RGS he was part of the staff from when he started in 1912 to when he enlisted in the army in 1914 at the start of the war. At the RGS he was very popular and was very athletic, he was an invaluable asset because he represented Wales in international hockey matches.

Hockey wasn’t his only talent. There is an account in the old wycombiensian which tells us of how he got a “valuable” 45 runs which helped RGS win at cricket. He was born in Llanganten, Brecon, Wales and he was the son of two retired farmers Alfred Phillips & Alma Morgan. He was to be married to Miss Gladys Crampton after the war.
Captain Morgan died during the 1918 Spring Offensive or Kaiserschlacht (Kaiser's Battle), he is buried at Meteren which is a village 17.5 kilometres south-west of Ieper (Belgium) and 3 kilometres west of Bailleul on the main road to Cassel.

Researched by Hasnan Nawaz

Surname	MYRTON
First Names	Stanley Bryan
Rank	Private G/87818
Regiment	Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) 11th Battalion
Died	30th August 1918
Age	34
Cause of Death	Killed In Action
Country where killed	France
Buried	Vis-en-Artois Mémorial, Pas de Calais
Grave reference	Panel 3
RGS	1895-96

What we know about him:
He was 34 years old and was killed in the German Spring Offensive (Operation Michael).

Stanley was born in St Peters, Leicester. He was born in 1884, and was married to Margaret Myrton, who later moved to Highfield after his death.

He was the only son of Alfred and Mary Myrton.

Researched by Pravesh Patel 9S

Surname	Neale
First Names	Roy Gordon
Rank	Able Seamen J/6046
Regiment	Royal Navy HMS Cressy
Died	22nd September 1914
Age	20
Cause of Death	Killed in Action
Country where killed	At Sea
Buried	Chatham Naval memorial, Kent
Grave reference	Kent 2
RGS	1908-1909

R.G.K Neale was lost when his ship, the Cruiser HMS Cressy, was sunk by German submarine U-9. As a result of this incident in which HMS Cressy’s two sister ships were also sunk by the same submarine, Royal Navy capital ships were withdrawn from patrol duties and anti-submarine tactics were introduced.

Roy was born on the 26th of January 1894 in Deptford, London. He was the son of George King Neale and Helen Neale who both lived in High Wycombe. His father was a marine engine fitter.


Researched by Salman Chatta 9CG

Surname	Priest
First Names	George Alfred
Rank	Private #4795
Regiment	3rd Bn. (Inf), Honourable Artillery Company
Died	19th December 1915
Age	27
Cause of Death	Died during training
Country where killed	England
Buried	High Wycombe Cemetery
Grave reference	32
RGS	1904-07	George Alfred Priest

George Priest was born on October 12th 1888, in High Wycombe Hospital to John and Harriet Priest, and was baptised in High Wycombe on March 31st 1897.

He was injured in training on December 19th 1915 and was quickly taken to Richmond Hospital, where he died the same day, at the age of 27. He lived in 32 Totteridge Lane. Before the war he was a butcher, following in his father’s footsteps. He had one brother, Harold Leslie Priest.

Surname	RANCE
First Names	Stanley
Rank	Private
Regiment	1st Battalion Coldstream Guards
Died	23rd July 1917
Age	20
Cause of Death	Killed in Action
Country where killed	Belgium
Buried	Menin Gate, Ref Panel 11
Grave reference	Panel 11
RGS	1909-1910

He was born in 1897 in Chalfont St Giles. Before the war, he was an apprentice to his parents who were grocers and lived in Denham.

At the time he was killed the Third Battle of Ypres was at its height. Many soldiers killed in the fighting simply disappeared into the muddy shell holes littering the battlefield of Passchendaele.

He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Menin Gate memorial in Ypres, Belgium.

Researched by Angus Barnes 9CG

Surname	READ
First Names	Arthur John Stratfold
Rank	Lance Corporal 205204
Regiment	Machine Gun Corps 101st (Bucks & Berks) Bn
Died	15th Nov 1917
Age	23
Cause of Death	Killed in Action
Country where killed	Palestine
Buried	Jerusalem War Cemetery, Israel
Grave reference	Y.64
RGS	1904-1909

Brother of William Stratfold Read.
His Regiment was formed in Palestine in June 1917 under Lieutenant General Philip Chetwode.
Following the British failure in the Second Battle of Gaza, the Egyptian Expeditionary Force underwent a major rearrangement with the appointment of General Edmund Allenby as the new Commander-in-Chief. The infantry component of the force was divided into two corps; XX Corps and XXI Corps.

The series of battles, to capture Jerusalem, was successfully fought by the British Empire's XX Corps, XXI Corps Read’s Corps and the Desert Mounted Corps against stiff opposition from the Ottoman Seventh Army in the Judean Hills and the Eighth Army north of Jaffa on the Mediterranean coast. It was presumably in the course of these actions that he was killed. The loss of Jaffa and Jerusalem, together with the loss of 50 miles (80 km) of territory during the Egyptian Expeditionary Force's advance from Gaza, constituted a grave setback for the Ottoman Army and the Ottoman Empire.
As a result of these victories, British Empire forces captured Jerusalem and established a new strategically strong fortified line.
Researched by Harry Smith 9S

Surname	Read
First Names	William Stratfold
Rank	Private
Regiment	Royal Buckinghamshire Hussars
Died	21st August 1915
Age	26
Cause of Death	Killed in action
Country where killed	Turkey
Buried	Green Hill Cemetery
Grave reference	III.B.14
RGS	1906-1911	William Stratfold Read

Read was number 1012 in the war and was the brother of A.J.S. Read. He eventually died in Gallipoli. This was a plan thought up by Sir Winston Churchill in which he wanted to split the Ottoman Empire in two by securing Istanbul. By doing that, the British could attack Germany from behind. However this plan failed badly and many were killed. This led to the resignation of Churchill.

His residence at death was in Saunderton, which is in fact where he was born and baptised. Read used to be a land agent before the war while his father, Stratfold (married to Sarah Louisa Read) was a farmer. The last known address of his parents was in 1901: Church Farm, Saunderton.

Researched by Adam Dad 9S

Surname	RICHARDSON
First Names	Nicholas Canning
Rank	Rifleman 23433
Regiment	New Zealand Rifle Brigade 2nd Battalion
Died	09 Aug 1917
Age	37
Cause of Death	Killed in Action
Country where killed	Belgium
Buried	Prowse point military Cemetery
Grave reference	Plot 3 Row B Grave 22
RGS	1890-1897	Nicholas Canning RICHARDSON

What we know about him:
Nicholas C. Richardson was born in 1880 to parents George Canning & Emily Richardson. His pre war occupation was a farmer and he lived with his wife Margaret Joyce Richardson. Even though his wife’s address is recorded as Cherry Farm, Stone, and Ashford, Kent it is believed that he may well have enlisted in New Zealand whilst farming out there.

History related to his death:
Nicholas Canning Richardson was killed in action, aged 37, on the 9th August 1917. His brigade was part of the Battle for Messines Ridge. This offensive was to try and capture the Belgian village Mesen. This was highly successful and over a month later NC.Richardson was killed in action, the cause unknown however it was believed it was related to holding the Ridge. His death was one of 24,000 killed in the operation to take and hold the ridge.

Researched by Oliver Morris 9CG

Surname	ROBERTSON
First Names	Donald Lennox
Rank	Rifleman
Regiment	8th bn rifle brigade
Died	2nd December 1917
Age	20
Cause of Death	Killed in Action
Country where killed	Belgium
Buried	Tyne Cot Memorial, Zonnebeke
Grave reference	Panel 145-147
RGS	1906-1911

What we know about him:
Mr Donald Lennox Robertson was a boy at the R.G.S between1908-13. Before the war he was a mechanical engineer. His battalion was heavily involved in the battle of Passchendaele (the 3rd battle of Ypres.) He was killed In action and his body was never found.


Researched by Josh Bonner 9CG

Surname	SEARS
First Names	Edwin
Rank	Rifleman
Regiment	5th Bn, London Regiment
Died	14th October 1918
Age	20
Cause of Death	Died of wounds
Country where killed	France
Buried	Lievin Communal Cemetery Extension,
Grave reference	Plot II Row A Grave 4
RGS	1906-1911	Edwin Sears

What we know about him:
We know that he was in the 2nd 11 rugby team and was only at RGS for 4 years. He was a solicitors Clerk and his parents worked as chair makers, a common job in High Wycombe. He lived at 12 Kitcheners Road. He was an excellent pupil, who was also a Prefect.

He was a rifleman and was very young when he joined. His battalion was called to take part in the great advance, which ended in victory for the allies. In Courriers, in France, his company went over the top. He was killed in action at the age of 20 on October 14th 1918 advancing into Belgium

Researched by Cameron Cole 9CG

Surname	Spriggs
First Names	Stewart Arthur
Rank	Private 96216
Regiment	Machine Gun Corps (Cavalry) 17th Squadron
Died	27th November 1917
Age	21
Cause of Death	Killed in action
Country where killed	Palestine
Buried	Jerusalem Memorial, Israel
Grave reference	Panel 56
RGS	1910-1912

What we know about him:

Stewart Spriggs is commemorated on the Jerusalem Memorial standing in the Jerusalem War Cemetery, 4.5 kilometres north of the walled city and is situated on the neck of land at the north end of the Mount of Olives, to the west of Mount Scopus. In this cemetery there are approximately 3229 soldiers buried and commemorated.

On the day Stewart Spriggs died there was a meeting of Russian and German delegates behind German lines to arrange for armistice on the Eastern Front.

Reasearched by Haseeb Hussain 9S

Surname	THOMPSON
First Names	Eric
Rank	Private
Regiment	2nd/4th Bn, Somerset Light Infantry
Died	31st July 1918
Age	19
Cause of Death	Died of wounds
Country where killed	France
Buried	Senlis French National Cemetory
Grave reference	C 59
RGS	1912-1914

What we know about him:

He was born on 28th May 1899 in Hull, Yorks. His parents were called William and Bertha Thompson. William worked as a railway station master. He joined RGS in 1912 at the age of 13 and left in 1914 at the age of 15. Whilst he was at RGS he was part of the 3rd team football team in 1913. His best subject at school was maths.

On 31st July 1918 he died of his wounds received on 26th July whilst fighting in the front line trenches in Flanders in France..

Researched by Nick Clarke 9S

Surname	TURNER
First Names	Bernard
Rank	Private
Regiment	1st Bn Coldstream Guards
Died	27th September 1915
Age	21
Cause of Death	Killed in action
Country where killed	France
Buried	Loos Memorial, Pas De Calais
Grave reference	Panel 7 & 8
RGS	1905-1908

What we know about him:

Born at Bledlow Ridge and the son of John and William Turner. Bernard Turner was one of many soldiers who died in Flanders Field on the 27th September 1915. He was killed in the Battle of Loos.

Turner fought for the 1st battalion of the ‘Lilywhites’ or the Coldstream Guards in the war and the Coldstreams were among the first to enter Germany after Britain declared war on Germany.

The Battle of Loos in which Private Turner was killed represented the first time the British used poison gas in warfare. The during the battle the were over 50,000 casualties and 25,000 deaths.

Researched by Joe Mannion 9CG

Surname	TURNER
First Names	Frederick Harry
Rank	Lieutenant
Regiment	10th Battalion, Gloucester Regiment attached Royal Flying Corps
Died	10 Jan 1917
Age	20
Cause of Death	Died in aeroplane accident
Country where killed	England
Buried	High Wycombe Cemetery
Grave reference	56
RGS	1904-1910	Picture of F. H Turner

What we know about him:

He was born on 8th August 1896 in High Wycombe. On 10th January 1917 in England F.H Turner was flying a plane. He was killed when his plane was damaged and crashed to the ground. His parents were Fredrick and Rosa Emily Turner. His parents were rate collectors.

At RGS he was in the First X1 Football Team and was a defender. He lived on Priory Road in High Wycombe.

Researched by Husoon Rafiq-Khatana 9CG

Surname	WALKER
First Names	William Frederick
Rank	Lance Corporal
Regiment	1/4th Bn Ox & Bucks Light Infant
Died	15th June 1918
Age	21
Cause of Death	Killed in action
Country where killed	Italy
Buried	Boscon British Cemetery
Grave reference	Plot 3 Row B Grave 13
RGS	1910-1915

What we know about him:
William was affectionately known as ‘Johnnie’ whilst he was at RGS. At school he was a prefect and member of the OTC right up until he left school in 1915. He was heavily involved in the debating society, in 1913 putting forward the motion against ‘the Cinema as an institution calculated to injure the nation, morally and physically’. The motion was lost by 14 votes. He played in the 2nd XI and represented House in the house matches. It is clear that he was an able scholar, often appearing in the Wycombiensian for 2nd Division awards in various subjects including History and Geography.

He started his training on enlistment with the 3rd Battalion, Ox & Bucks and was quickly promoted to Lance Corporal. Transferred to the 1/4th Ox & Bucks once his training was complete, he found himself in Italy in 1918 when the Austro-Hungarians launched an offensive on the Asiago Plateau on the 15th June. He must have been killed during the open day of this battle, as was Lt Edward Brittain MC, the brother of Vera Brittain the author of ‘Testament of Youth’.

Surname	WOOD
First Names	Brian Robert Philip
Rank	Second Lieutenant
Regiment	7th Battalion, London Regiment
Died	2nd July 1915
Age	21
Cause of Death	Died in a training accident
Country where killed	France
Buried	Mazingarbe Communal Cemetery,
Grave reference
RGS	1903-1909

Brian Robert Philip Wood was a valiant member of his company known for bravery out in battle, who unfortunately his life was cut short after an accident in live grenade training.

According to the Wycombensian: “Brian Wood, 7th City of London Regiment, was killed in France on July 2nd, under circumstances- which were particularly tragic; not in the heat of action, where he had often displayed courage and endurance of the highest order, but in the exercise of a dangerous duty as an instructing grenadier officer. He possessed just those qualities of high souled courage and devotion which have ever marked the British officer. Calm in the face of danger, winning alike the admiration of his superior officers, and the absolute devotion of his men, he was indeed a, very gallant gentleman.” He was truly a hero to his men.

Researched by Alex Hays 9CG

Surname	DEANE MC
First Names	William
Rank	Lieutenant
Regiment	Royal Air Force
Died	20th March 1920
Age	25
Cause of Death	Killed in action
Country where killed	India, Northwest Frontier
Buried	Delhi Memorial (India Gate)
Grave reference
RGS	1907-1914

What we know about him:
Deane was at RGS at the same time and in the same year group as Henry Hamp HILL. He was a prefect, served in the OTC and was awarded a free scholarship to Imperial College of Science after having come 2nd in the County in the Major Scholarship Examinations. Once at Imperial he impressed his old masters and received a mention due to him obtaining a 1st Class in Chemistry in his Part I exams, coming fifth out of ninety students.

He soon joined up and was commissioned as a Second Lieutentant into the 9th Battalion, Ox & Bucks LI before being attached to the 2/4th Norfolks. He soon volunteered for the expanding Royal Flying Corps becoming a pilot and serving on the Western front where he was wounded flying on the 23rd March 1918. During this action he was awarded the Military Cross.

After WWI, Deane gained a permanent commission as a Captain in the new RAF. He was sent out to India to fight in the Third Afghan War on the Indian Northwest frontier. During a bombing raid his plane suddenly spun into the ground, killing him and his observer, a man named Gordon. It was reported he was under heavy small arms fire at the time from Afghani tribesmen so it is likely he was hit in the head and killed instantly.

Surname	Watkins
First Names	Charles Rober
Rank	Private
Regiment	London Light Infantry 5th Bn
Died	3rd Feb 1915
Age	23
Cause of Death	Killed In Action
Country where killed	Belgium
Buried	London Rifle BrigadeCemetery, Comines Warneton
Grave reference	Ref III B5
RGS	1903 - 1909	Picture of CR Watkins

What we know about him:
He joined in 1903, and left in 1909 passing both the Oxford junior and Senior examinations as well as the London Matriculation, and even a Bucks County Council Scholarship!

He was a Skilled cricketer, in The Second XI And played in the House Tournament. At RGS He was well known for art, going on to working as Draughtsman in W.H.Smith & Son.

He was the 2nd Old Boy killed in the War, dying very early on in 1915 in Belgium, going over with the frontal force of British troops. He was deployed in November 1914, and in a fortnight was on the frontline fighting. Sadly, his journey ended there, shot in the head by a Sniper whilst warming his hands by a charcoal fire. He joined the day after the War began, on August 5th.

Researched by Will Roberts 9CG

Surname	LONG
First Names	Cyril Edwin
Rank	Captain
Regiment	15th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment
Died	27th March 1918
Age	23
Cause of Death	Killed in action
Country where killed	France
Buried	Douchy-Les-Ayette British Cemetery
Grave reference	Plot IV Row F Grave 12
RGS	1907-1910

What we know about him:
The Wycombiensian from December 1918 records the confirmation of Cyril’s death:
“The hopes we held on news of C. E. A. Long's appearance amongst the prisoners of war have now unhappily been destroyed by the War Office report to his people of his death in action on March 27th. We knew him as a man of high character and chivalrous bearing, and the tributes to his nobleness from his commanding officer and from a brother officer bear out our testimony.

His C.O. writes: "Your son did magnificently as always he did and was a brave, fearless leader. The Battalion has earned immortal glory as by itself (with no assistance) for two days it staved off the attacks of vast masses of the enemy and inflicted enormous losses on the Germans. I had a deep affection for your son. He was always a good, conscientious worker, and had the confidence and respect of his men. I feel the loss of so good a comrade most deeply. May God give you comfort in your trial is my earnest prayer."

A brother officer writes: "He was a dear friend of mine, and I am daily waiting and longing for news of him. He was one of the noblest characters and one of the best examples of Godly living."
Cyril was last seen alive, but wounded when his battalion was forced to retreat in the face of the overwhelming German offensive of March 1918.

Surname	Southcott
First Names	Harry Williams
Rank	Private 203525
Regiment	Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry
Died	3rd June 1917
Age	21
Cause of Death	Killed in action
Country where killed	France
Buried	Arras mémorial, pas de Calais
Grave reference	Bay 6 & 7
RGS	1909-1912

What we know about him:

Harry Southcott originally enlisted in the Royal Bucks Hussars, a Yeomanry unit after leaving his profession as engineers apprentice.

He was killed during what became known as the Third Battle of Arras. He has no-known grave which means that his body was either never found or was unindentifiable.

Surname	YOUENS VC
First Names	Frederick
Rank	Second Lieutenant
Regiment	‘C’ Coy, 13th Bn, Durham Light Infantry
Died	7th July 1917
Age	24
Cause of Death	Died of wounds
Country where killed	Belgium
Buried	Railway Dugouts Burial Ground, Ypres
Grave reference	Plot I Row O Grave 3
RGS	1906-1911

What we know about him:
He was twenty four years old, and a temporary Second Lieutenant in the 13th Battalion, The Durham Light Infantry during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross, the highest award for valour in the British Army.

On 7 July 1917 near Hill 60, Belgium, it was reported that the enemy were preparing to raid the British trenches and Second Lieutenant Youens, who had already been wounded, immediately set out to rally a Lewis gun team which had become disorganised. While doing this an enemy bomb fell on the Lewis gun position without exploding. The Second Lieutenant picked it up and hurled it over the parapet, but soon after another bomb fell near the same place and again he picked it up, but it exploded in his hand, severely wounding him and some of his men. The officer later succumbed to his wounds.

At RGS he was a prefect and a member of the OTC. He was well known for his involvement in the debating society and his abilities as an actor in school plays. Youens had been training to become a teacher before the outbreak of WWI and had been granted a scholarship to Oxford University.

Surname	NORTON-FAGGE
First Names	Frederick, Walter
Rank	Lieutenant
Regiment	21st Punjabis, Indian Army Reserve Officers
Died	18th November 1916
Age	36
Cause of Death	Died of Disease
Country where killed	Iraq
Buried	Basra War Cemetery, Basra
Grave reference	III.O.15
RGS	1909-1912	Picture of F.W.L Norton-Fagge

What we know about him:
He was a teacher pre-war and taught at the RGS for a short period before moving to India to teach. He set up the OTC at RGS in 1909, (Officer Training Corps) now the CCF. Once war broke out he joined up in India with the 21st Punjabi Light Horse and got stationed in Basra, Iraq. He was often mentioned in the Wycombiensian, in one edition he had written a letter to the magazine about a battle he had recently fought in. He went into deep detail of the events of the battle which was contested between British and Ottoman soldiers. When he died he got a special mention in the school magazine.

The First World War was not the first time Mr. Norton-Fagge saw combat; he also served in the Boer war in South Africa in which he received the Queens Medal. He was struck down with small pox while working in Persia, modern day Iran, from where he was moved to Basra, but nothing could be done to save him. So on the 18th of November he finally succumbed to his small pox and passed away. He was a heroic man who was mentioned twice in dispatches for his heroics in the field of battle and it was great shame for him to have died not from enemy action but bacteria.

Overall Mr. Norton-Fagge led an interesting life and unlike most of the dead of the First World War lived to see his 30th birthday. It was a great shame for him not to of earned a medal in the First World War but I am sure the he served his King and Country well.
Researched by Tom Woodall 9CG

Extracted from 1915 editions of the Wycombiensian

We have received many letters from O.B.s at the Front. Space does not permit us to include them all,
but we print the following extracts as likely to be of particular interest.

 
DISPATCH  RIDING.

Corporal Jack Birch, Motor Cyclist Section, R.E.,
'writes:
" On my first dispatch I had to pass through Ypres. It was practically deserted. Whole streets of houses had been blown to pieces. The Cloth Hall was one gigantic heap of ruins and burning. It is sights like this that make one think that the Germans must not win under any circumstances. When going towards the firing line, we generally get shell fire the whole way. I can say for myself I have not got used to it. The greatest difficulty we get is riding at night near the firing line. Of course, we cannot, show a light, and the roads are crowded. The Germans make a point of shelling the roads behind the firing. line at night, so you can imagine the chaos when a shell happens to hit the road!"

BEING SHELLED.

Pte. Eric Thurlow, of the Queen's Westminsters, writes: " When you are being shelled, a feeling of utter helplessness oppresses you, and you can only lie still and hope they won't burst near you. We are right in the -thick of it."

LIFE IN THE TRENCHES.

Lieut. Douglas Fleck, 7th Essex Regiment, formerly in the 5th London Rifle Brigade, with Pte. C. R. Watkins, writes:- " The last visit I made to the trenches was in the most awful weather. It was pouring with rain and beastly cold, and the trenches were already a foot deep in water in some parts, and everything one touched was covered with wet mud. The dug-outs were fairly dry for a few hours, but, alas, not for long. The rain it ceased not, the dug-outs filled with water, and eventually fell in, at times burying the men and all their kit. The water gradually rose above our knees, although we baled continually However, we were cheery through it all, and we had a slight warm occasionally when cooking our breakfast over a charcoal fire. Once when coming out of a trench, I was walkingover a plank under which there was water five or six feet deep, when suddenly a flare went up, and we, with all our kit and rifles, fell headlong into it. When I arrived home, I had my first night in bed since the war started.  It seemed so strange to have one's clothes off, and, above all, to feel clean. The only ill effects that I suffered were frost-bitten feet, which, needless to say, were very painful."

THE CHRISTMAS TRUCE

In a letter home, C. M. Leys, Queen's Westminsters; gives a very interesting account of the cessation of h08-tilities on Christmas Day:- " The fun started about 6 o'clock on Christmas Eve. Our chaps sang a carol, which was immediately answered by cheering from the German lines. Then they sang.something to the accompanying shouts of our men. After that there were individual conversations. A German would shout" Merry Christmas," and we would reply, " Same to you.". After that, several of our chaps climbed on to the parapet and lit matches simultaneously, . there seemed to be a mutual agreement not to fire . When daylight came we saw several people on both sides walking about in full view of each other, and so climbed out ourselves and looked round. At any ordinary time this would be madness and an invitation for a perfect hail of shots from snipers. But that mornIng all was quiet, so we fetched wood and water, which, as a rule, must be done under cover of darkness. After a bit we came to a group of men talking together, and found they were composed of previous deadly enemies!  Weshook hands and exchanged cigarettes, Some of them  asked if we had a football, and were very keen on getting up a game. However, that came to nothing, and we gradually dispersed. Not a shot was fired for over 24 hours."

In another letter he writes:
"Yesterday I had the first warm bath since leavingEngland.
You can guess what a boon it was. It meant a walk of 14 miles, but it was worth it three'times over! On my way back, I suddenly heard my name called, and found myself face to face with D. J.
Watson, of the old R.G.S."

A REUNION OF OLD BOYS

D. L. Gates, Artists' Rifles, writes :
"Of course, you know Watson is out here in ' A' Co. I have also- seen Desmond Griffin (Northumberland Yeomanry), who came across Jack Appleton, a Corporal in  the R.F.A., so we are having a reunion of Old Boys out here ; in fact, it is quite the fashionable place.  I have also met Wilfrid Butler in the H.A.C." 

We have received letters from V. G. W. Rogers, in hospital at Torquay, with frost-bite, from F. Youens, R.A.M.e., on the eve of his departure, and from  Mr. Griffin, whose son Desmond, mentioned above, went Through the .desperatefighting in the 7th Division in the retreat from Antwerp.  T. R. Yeoman, 8th D.L.I., wrote on Jan. 24th to say he was going abroad, and E. Munday, 3rd Batt. Rifle Brigade, in hospital with frost-bite, has written, saying how glad he was to have had three years' training in the: O. T.C. We have heard also from D. J. Watson, C. H. Thomas, G. W. Gotch, H. D. Griffin, A. W. Thomas (Rhode.sia), D. G. Leys, G. A. Sanders, J. E. Howard, and F. fl. Barfield.