2014 Varsity Rugby Match - commemoration of 55 Fallen Blues

[MBrockway]

Just received this via my old college ....

VARSITY MATCH WW1 COMMEMORATION PLANS NEAR COMPLETION

The 133^rd Varsity Match between Oxford and Cambridge is being turned into a major commemoration of the 55 Blues who fell in World War 1.

All season the two clubs have been developing plans to celebrate the lives of the 55 players – 27 Oxford and 28 Cambridge – who lost their lives in the great conflict between 1914-18 and already Oxford have linked with Rugby School in remembering Ernest Boyd, the first Blue to fall on 20 October, 1914.

The Universities are inviting all the schools linked to the 55 Blues to attend the game as their guests on Thursday, 11 December and they will be involved with a wreath laying ceremony at the RFU’s War Memorial at the ground before kick-off.

The teams will take to the field for the game via a guard of honour made up of players from the University Colleges representing the fallen Blues and the Last Post will be played before kick-off.

Former Wales and British & Irish Lions back row forward Eddie Butler, a Cambridge Blue in 1976-78, will read out the names of the ‘55 Fallen Blues’ as the teams line-up before kick-off and their photographs will appear on the big screens and perimeter signage at the ground.

In addition the commemoration will see

• Both teams wear poppies on their shirts for the Under 21 and Senior matches
• The Band of the Parachute Regiment perform on the pitch before the game
• The Band of the Adjutant General Corps perform in the West Car Park
• The RFU Museum put on a special display to commemorate the Varsity Match

Other activities linked to this year’s Varsity Match, the biggest amateur rugby game in the world, will see pupils from St Mary and St John CE Primary School, Oxford and The Grove Primary School, Cambridge involved in a painting competition depicting their visions of WW1, with the best displayed at Twickenham on match day.

The Varsity Match ambassador, Alastair Hignell, who presents a Medal of Honour in his name to the Man of the Match, is a Trustee of Leonard Cheshire Disability which is the official charity of The Varsity Match. This year the charity is producing 10,000 dark and light blue Santa Hats that will be sold before and at the game, with all proceeds going to the charity.

“The response we have had from schools, clubs and fans alike has been fantastic and we are looking for as many people as possible to join us to commemorate these 55 brave young men who so willingly gave their lives for their country 100 years ago,” said Cambridge University RFC president, Mark Bailey.

“In addition, we want everyone to witness what will be another great game between two teams who continue to maintain the high standards or rivalry and friendship that have characterised this amazing fixture ever since it was first played in 1872.

“Oxford are chasing a fifth successive victory for the first time in their history and Jacob Taylor’s men have already beaten Wasps this season and won two games on tour in Russia. Harry Peck, who is leading Cambridge this year, is building a highly competitive side that will be determined to stop the Dark Blues making history, as their 27-3 win over Coventry demonstrated this week.”

<End of quotation>

Does anyone have a list of these Fallen 55 Blues?

Mark

[MBrockway]

Thought I'd post the complete text from the links above so these mens' names will show up in Forum searches.

First the Oxford Blues ....

OXFORD UNIVERSITY RUGBY BLUES KILLED IN WW1

- each player has a detailed individual post below

UNIVERSITY COLLEGE (11)

Edward Fenwick BOYD (Rugby School / University College, Oxford) - KiA, 20 Sep 1914 - Lt 1st Northumberland Fusiliers

Harry CHEYNE (Edinburgh Academy / University College, Oxford) - KiA, Ypres, 10 Jul 1917 - temp. Lt-Col., 'D' Bty, 189th Brigade, RFA

Walter Michael DICKSON (Diocesan College, Rondebosch, S Africa / University College, Oxford) - KiA, 26 Sep 1915 - 2/Lt, 11/A&SH

John Charles Lancelot FARQUHARSON (Dulwich College / University College, Oxford) - Wounded & MiA, Messines, 31 Oct 1914 - Lt., 14/London Regt (London Scottish)

William Purdon GEEN (Haileybury / University College, Oxford) - KiA, 31 Jul 1915 - 2/Lt, 9/KRRC

Reginald Harold Myburgh HANDS (Diocesan College, Rondebosch, South Africa / University College, Oxford) - DoW, 20 Apr 1918 - A/Major RGA/South African Heavy Artillery

Rev Rupert Edward INGLIS (Rugby School / University College, Oxford) - KiA, 18 Sep 1916 - Chaplain, attached 1/KSLI

Thomas Arthur NELSON (Edinburgh Academy / University College, Oxford) - KiA, 09 Apr 1917 - Capt, 1st Lothian & Border Horse, attached MGC

Stephen Sebastian Lombard STEYN (Diocesan College, Rondebosch, S Africa / University College, Oxford) - KiA, 08 Dec 1917, Palestine - Lt, 117th Bde, RFA

Francis Nathanial TARR (Uppingham / University College, Oxford) - KiA Ypres, 18 Jul 1915 - Lt 1st/4th Leicestershire Regt

Francis Wishart THOMSON (Edinburgh Academy / University College, Oxford) - KiA, 28 Jun 1915, Gallipoli - Lt 1st Royal Scots

TRINITY COLLEGE (6)

Thomas ALLEN (Cheltenham College / Trinity College, Oxford) - KiA Guinchy, 26 Feb 1915 - 2/Lt., Irish Guards
David McLaren BAIN (Edinburgh Academy / Trinity College, Oxford) - KiA, 03 Jun 1915 - Capt, 3rd att. 2nd Gordon Highlanders

Harold Augustus HODGES (Sedbergh / Trinity College, Oxford) - KiA near Ham, 24 Mar 1918 - 2/Lt, 3/Monmouths attached 11/South Lancs

Allan GILMOUR (Edinburgh Academy / Trinity College, Oxford) - DoW, 16 Dec 1917, Salonika - Capt, 2/Lovat Scouts, att. 10/QOCH

Maxwell Alexander ROBERTSON (Loretto / Trinity College, Oxford) - KiA, 01 Jul 1916 - Capt, 10/Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers

Frederic Harding TURNER (Sedbergh / Trinity College, Oxford) - KiA Kemmel, 10 Jan 1915 - 2/Lt 1st/10th (Liverpool Scottish) Battalion, King’s Liverpool Regiment

ST JOHN'S COLLEGE (2)

Charles BOURNS (Merchant Taylor’s School, London / St John’s College, Oxford) - KiA, France, 25 May 1915 - Lt., 4/RB

John Edward RAPHAEL (Merchant Taylor’s School, London / St John’s College, Oxford) - DoW, Messines Ridge, 11 Jun 1917 - Lt., 18/KRRC

BALLIOL COLLEGE (1)

Ronald William POULTON-PALMER (aka R.W. POULTON) (Rugby School / Balliol College, Oxford) - KiA Ploegsteert Wood, 05 May 1915 - Lt., 4/Royal Berkshire Regt

BRASENOSE COLLEGE (1)

Rev John Garrett BUSSELL (St Edward’s School, Oxford / Brasenose College, Oxford) - KiA 28 Jun 1915 - Capt., 7/Royal Sussex Rgt

CHRIST CHURCH (1)

Leonard PARKER (Marlborough College / Christ Church, Oxford) - KiA Peronne, 07 Jan 1917 - Major, RFC

CORPUS CHRISTI COLLEGE (1)

Harry ALEXANDER (Uppingham / Corpus Christi College, Oxford) - KiA, 17 Sep 1915 - 2/Lt, Grenadier Guards

KEBLE COLLEGE (1)

Arthur James DINGLE (Durham School / Keble College, Oxford) - KiA, 22 Aug 1915, Gallipoli - Capt, 6th East Yorks

MERTON COLLEGE (1)
Cecil Douglas BAKER (Sherborne / Merton College, Oxford) - KiA, 29 Jul 1917 - A/Capt, Grenadier Guards

ORIEL COLLEGE (1)
Ronald Owen LAGDEN (Marlborough College / Oriel College, Oxford) - KiA St Eloi, 03 Mar 1915 - A/Maj. 4/KRRC

QUEEN'S COLLEGE (1)
Lawrence Cave BLENCOWE (St Edward’s School, Oxford / Queen’s College, Oxford) - KiA Belgium, 29 Jun 1917 - 2/Lt 2nd/10th (Liverpool Scottish) Battalion, King’s Liverpool Regiment

---

And here are the Tabs ...

CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY RUGBY BLUES KILLED IN WW1

KING’S (6)

Patrick Charles Bentley Blair (Fettes College / King’s)
Born 18 July,1891 in Wanlockhead, Dumfriesshire.
Killed in action at Boesingh, near Ypres by an exploding shell in the British trench on 6 July, 1915 aged 23.
Blues 1910, 1911, 1912, 1913. Won 5 Scotland caps.
Served in Egyptian Civil Service.
2nd Lieut in 5th Battalion (attached 1st) Rifle Brigade.
# Talana Farm Cemetery, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium (Special Memorial I,E,10)

Robert Charles Cowburn Campbell (Edinburgh Academy / King’s)
Born 26 March, 1889 in India.
Wounded by a rifle bullet at St Julien, Ypres, on 23 April, 1915 whilst kneeling down administering aid to a fellow wounded officer. He died on 19 May, 1915 at Queen Alexandra’s Hospital for Officers, Highgate aged 26. Blue 1907.
Worked in Rangoon for the Bombay-Burma Trading Corporation (Forest Service).
Served as Lt 3rd King’s Own Scottish Borderers. His brother died three months later at Gallipoli in 2/10th Gurkha Rifles.
# Brompton Cemetery (E.6. 173126)

Roland Bevington Gibbins (Sedbergh / King’s)
Born 1885 in Birmingham.
Killed in action on 3 December, 1917 aged 32.
Blues 1905, 1906. Played for Moseley, Middlesex and had England Trials.
Captain in Royal Warwickshire Regiment.
# Cambrai Memorial, Louveral, France (Panel 3)

Percival Powell (Dulwich College / King’s)
Born 16 February, 1869 in Dulwich.
Killed in action at Ypres on 2 August, 1915 aged 46.
Blue 1900.
Assistant Master at Bradford Grammar School 1901-2, Eltham College 1903, Loretto 1903-6 and Wellington College 1906-15.
2nd Lt 9th Battalion (attached to 3rd) Rifle Brigade (The Prince Consort’s Own).
# La Brique Military Cemetery No 2, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium (Plot 1, Row K, Grave 24)

Horace Wyndham Thomas (Monmouth Grammar School / King’s)
Born 28 July, 1890 at Bridgend.
Killed in action at Guillemont (Somme) on 3 September, 1916 aged 26.
Blue 1912. Won 2 Wales caps and played for Swansea, Barbarians and Calcutta Rugby Club.
Engaged in the Mercantile Service, Calcutta, for 3 years, which he voluntarily gave up to join the Forces in 1916.
Temp 2nd Lt 11th Battalion Rifle Brigade.
# Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France (Pier and Face 16 B and 16 C)

William Middleton Wallace (Edinburgh Academy / King’s)
Born 23 September, 1892 in Edinburgh.
Shot down while on air reconnaissance at Sainghin, near Lille 22 August, 1915 aged 22.
Blues 1912, 1913. Won 4 Scotland caps and played for London Scottish and Barbarians.
Commissioned 2nd Lieutenant 5th Battalion, King’s Royal Rifle Corps (Prince Consort’s Own) [sic - WRONG! Should read 'The Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort's Own)' - confirmed by Andy - see quotation below] on 15 August, 1914 and left for France 15 days later. May have been first undergraduate at the front. Became Observer with 2 Squadron, 1st Wing, Royal Flying Corps, 14 February, 1915. Saw considerable action in Armentières - La Bassée area. Made Lieutenant 21 July, 1915.
# Cabaret-Rouge British Cemetery, Souchez (Plot Xll, Row D, Grave 11)

2nd Lieutenant William Middleton Wallace was the fourth son of Robert Walker Wallace a Writer to The Signet at Edinburgh and was born 23rd September 1892. He was educated at Edinburgh and King's College, Cambridge and was appointed to the 5th (Reserve) battalion, The Rifle Brigade, 15th August 1914. On 13th August [possible date mix up there] he was sent with a draft to the 1st Battalion, The Rifle Brigade, on the Aisne arriving 20th September 1914. On 15th February 1915 he was posted to the 1st Wing, Royal Flying Corps and did duty as an Observer. On 22nd August when on his way back to the British lines after photographing the enemy lines he was shot down by a German anti-aircraft shell and whilst flying above Sanghin between La Bassee and Lille.

Note date of going overseas before he got to the 1st, this was common during the retreat with drafts following their battalions all over the place.

PEMBROKE (5)

William Hedley Bruce Baxter (Merchiston Castle / Pembroke)
Born 1892.
Killed in action on 27 August, 1917 aged 25. Previously wounded on Somme in July, 1916 but returned to fight in May, 1917.
Blues 1912, 1913.
A Captain in 6th Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment.
# Tyne Cot Cemetery, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium (Plot VIII, Row H. Grave 10)

Rowland Fraser (Merchiston Castle / Pembroke)
Born 10 January, 1890 in Perth.
Kiled in action at the Somme on 1 July, 1916 aged 26.
Blues 1908,1909, 1910 (Captain). Won 4 Scotland caps and also played for Edinburgh University, where he studied law unti outbreak of war. Married 12 days before his death.
Commissioned 2nd Lt 6th Rifle Brigade in August, 1914. Went to France 5 January, 1915, and promoted Lieutenant in August and Captain in November, 1915. Attached to the 1st Rifle Brigade.
# Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France (Pier and Face 16

Lewis Alexander McAfee (Merchiston Castle / Pembroke)
Born 10 September, 1888 in Ballymoney, N.Ireland.
Killed in action as Germans attacked British trenches at Hooge 30 July, 1915 aged 26. British loses were 342 men killed and injured, and 132 missing. McAfee was among the missing.
Blue 1910.
He was training to be a doctor at London Hospital when WW1 broke out. Two brothers served in RAMC.
Enlisted into 8th Service Battalion, Rifle Brigade and then Commissioned 2nd Lt on 9 September, 1914. Made Lieutenant 7 December. Became Captain and A Company Commander July, 1915.
# Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, Belgium (Panels 46-48 and 50)

Charles Aubrey Vintcent (Uppingham / Pembroke)
Born 1893 in Oudtshoorn, South Africa.
Killed in action in France on 13 April, 1915 aged 22.
Blue 1913. Played for Rosslyn Park.
Commisioned as 2nd Lieut in 4th Battalion, Rifle Brigade in August, 1914.
# Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres (Panel 46-48 and 50)

Alan Hood Wilson (Merchiston Castle / Pembroke)
Born 1891 in Edinburgh.
Died of wounds 17 March, 1915.
Served as 2nd Lt 6th Battalion, Rifle Brigade.
Blues 1911, 1912, 1913.
# Rifle House Cemetery, Hainaut, Belgium (Plot lV, Row J, Grave 5)


TRINITY (4)

David Revell Bedell-Sivright (Fettes College / Trinity)
Born 8 December, 1880 in Edinburgh.
Died of blood poisoning from an insect bite at Gallipoli on 5 September, 1915 aged 34. Blues 1899,1900, 1901(Captain), 1902(Captain). Won 22 Scotland caps and went on two British Lions tours – South Africa in 1903 and New Zealand / Australia in 1904 (Captain). Also played for Edinburgh University, West of Scotland and Barbarians. IRB Hall of Fame 2013.
Surgeon in Medical Unit, R.N Division. Buried at sea.
# Portsmouth Naval Memorial (Panel 7)

John Argentine Campbell (Fettes College / Trinity)
Born 20 October, 1877 in Flores, Argentina.
Went missing in France, then died in a German hospital on 2 December, 1917 aged 30.
Blues 1897, 1898, 1899 (Captain). Athletics Blue in 1899. Won 1 Scotland cap v Ireland and also played for West of Scotland. Played cricket for Argentina v England 1912 and was a top class Polo player.
Schoolmaster at Loretto School before returning to Argentina to become a rancher.
Commissioned Lt in 17th Lancers then in 6th Dragoons (Inniskilling)and Mhow Brigade, 1st Indian Cavalry Division.
# Honnechy British Cemetery, Nord, France (Plot I, Row A, Grave 2)

Arthur Stanley Pringle (Edinburgh Academy / Trinity)
Born 11 March, 1877 in Edinburgh.
Killed in action in the Battle of Loos on 25 September, 1915 aged 38.
Blues 1897, 1898.
Was an Advocate at the Scottish Bar.
Commissioned as Captain in 10th Battalion Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) in WW1 and served in France.
# Loos Memorial, Pas de Calais (Panel 57 to 59)

Robert Oscar Cyril Ward (Clifton College / Trinity)
Born 1881 in Victoria, British Columbia.
Killed in action during the assault on Flesquiers Ridge on 20 November, 1917 aged 36.
Blue 1903. Played for Harlequins and Barbarians. Won heavyweight title in Public Schools and Inter-University boxing.
Commissioned Lieutenant 6th Buffs, 1914 and then made Captain. Transferred to Tank Corps and promoted to Major. Twice wounded and mentioned in despatches.
# Metz-en-Couture Communal Cemetery British Extension, Pas de Calais (Plot l, Row C, Grave 3)


CHRIST’S (3)

Maurice Adam Black (Rugby School / Christ’s)
Born 19 August, 1878 in Edinburgh.
Killed in action in flying incident in Macedonia on 11 February, 1917 aged 38.
Blues 1897, 1898. Played for London Scottish and Barbarians.
Joined Army as Lt in 5th Dragoon Guards in 1900 and served in Boer War 1900-02. Became Captain 1907. Became Major Dragoon Guards (Princess Charlotte of Wales’s) in WW1 and was wounded in France in October, 1914. Transferred to Royal Flying Corps and died in Macedonia.
# Skopje British Cemetery, Macedonia (Row A, Grave 5)

Ronald Sinclaire Kennedy (Tonbridge / Christ’s)
Born 14 July, 1887 in Sydney, Australia.
Killed in action on 17 April, 1918 aged 31.
Blues 1907, 1909. Also played for Guy’s Hospital.
Joined Egyptian Medical Service in 1913 after qualifying as a doctor at Guy’s Hospital.
Initially joined Artillery and then moved into the Infantry and was in Royal Army Medical Corps, 76th Field Ambulance when he died.
Military Cross at Ypres in 1917 as Lieutenant in 76th Field Ambulance RAMC, Bar to MC at Battle of Bapaume, 21-29 March, 1918, while Temporary Captain.
# Mont-Noir Military Cemetery, St. Jans-Cappel, Nord, France (Plot I, Row A, Grave 13)

M.C.: For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in dressing and attending to wounded men under extremely heavy shell fire. At great risk of his life he made several journeys to the front line and personally brought in wounded men who otherwise must have been killed by the intense hostile barrage.
Bar: For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When in charge of advanced bearers he collected and led forward reinforcing bearer squads in a most gallant manner through a heavy barrage and through lines of retiring infantry, until he gained touch with the regimental aid-post. He cleared many wounded who would otherwise have been left to the enemy. A splendid example of persevering gallantry and fearlessness.

Reginald Oscar Schwarz (St Paul’s School / Christ’s)
Born 4 May, 1875, Lee, London.
Died in Etaples, France of Spanish flu (pneumonia) epidemic a week after Armistace on 18 November, 1918 aged 43.
Blue in 1893. Won 3 England caps and played for Richmond, Middlesex and Barbarians. Played 9 cricket Tests for South Africa.
Member of London stock exchange 1899-1902 before joining South African Railways in 1902. From 1904-1911 Member of South African stock exchange until he rejoined the London stock exchange on return to Britain.
Military Cross 1917. Major in 6th Battalion King’s Royal Rifle Corps (attached HQ 1st Echelon). He was given the role of Deputy Assistant Quartermaster General and was Assistant Controller of salvage on Western Front and was mentioned in despatches.
# Etaples Military Cemetery, Pas de Calais (Plot XLV, Row A, Grave 4)


CAIUS (2)

George Martin Chapman (Waitaki Boys High School, Oamaru, New Zealand / Caius)
Born 26 March, 1887 in Dunedin.
Killed in action in second Battle of Ypres by a shell as he attended the wounded on 13 May, 1915 aged 27
Blues 1907, 1908, 1909. Won half-Blue for Boxing. Attended Otago University and then London Hospital before going to Cambridge in 1907. Returned to London Hospital after that and played for them and Barbarians.
Joined the R.A.M.C. at outbreak of War. Decorated with Gold Medal "Pour Courage et Devouement" (France) in December, 1914, for saving a life in a rough sea off Boulogne.
# Potijze Chateau Grounds Cemetery, West Vlaanderen, Belgium

Alexander Findlater Todd (Mill Hill School / Caius)
Born on 20 September, 1873 in Forest Hill, London.
Died of wounds at a casualty clearing station four days after being shot in the neck peering over a trench parapet at Hill 60, Ypres, Belgium on 21 April,1915 aged 41.
Blues 1893, 1894, 1895. Won 2 England caps and toured with British Lions to South Africa 1896 and played in 4 Tests. Played for Old Millhillians, Blackheath, Kent and Barbarians.
He Served in Boer War as a Captain in Roberts Horse and was wounded at Diamonds Hill. Lieutenant, 3rd Battalion, Norfolk Regiment from 21 September, 1914. Served in France from October, 1914 and promoted Captain in April 1915, 3rd Battalion, attached to 1st Battalion, Norfolk Regiment, 15th Brigade, 5th Division.Mentioned in Despatches.
# Poperinghe Old Military Cemetery, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium (Plot II, Row M, Grave 7)


CLARE (2)

Edward McCosh (Fettes College / Clare)
Born 14 December, 1890 in Airdrie.
Died of wounds received in action when he was hit by a rifle grenade on 26 September, 1918 aged 27.
Blue 1910.
Commissioned 2nd Lt 9th Battalion Highland Light Infantry (Glasgow Highlanders). Rose to rank of Major and won Military Cross and was twice mentioned in despatches. MC was presented to his five –year-old son. Served four years and two months.
# Five Points Cemetery, Lechelle, Pas de Calais (Row D, Grave 8)

Cornelius Thorne (Haileybury / Clare)
Born on 29 August, 1892 in Shanghai.
Killed by a sniper’s bullet during the Battle of Somme on 30 September, 1916 aged 23.
Blue 1911. Played for Harlequins.
Captain in 8th Battlion, East Surrey Regiment. Was a Machine Gun officer. Won Military Cross after he went out and found his younger brother Marlborough’s body a mere 15 metres from enemy lines.
# Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France (Pier and Face 6 B and 6 C)


EMMANUEL (2)

Miles Linzee Atkinson (Fettes College / Emmanuel)
Born July, 1888 in Kenilworth.
Killed in action at Cambrai when a shell hit his tank on 20 November, 1917 aged 29.
Blues 1908, 1909. Played for Surrey, the United Hospitals and St Thomas's Hospital.
Joined 1st Section, 7th Battery, Motor Machine Gun Service at outbreak of WW1 and served as a gunner in France before he was evacuated with blood poisoning. Then Commissioned as 2nd Lt E Battalion, Tanks Corps.
# Ribecourt British Cemetery, Nord France (Special Memorial A. 3.)

Alfred Frederick Maynard (Durham School / Emmanuel)
Born 23 March, 1894 in Croydon.
Killed in action at Beaumont Hamel on 13 November, 1916 aged 22.
Blues 1912, 1913. Won 3 England caps and played for Harlequins and Durham County.
Lieut in Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve. Commissioned as Sub-Lt on 18 October, 1914, Howe Battalion, R.N Division.
# Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France (Pier and Face 1 A)


DOWNING (1)

John George Will (Merchant Taylors, London / Downing)
Born 2 September, 1892 in London.
Killed in action in air combat over Arras 25 March, 1917 aged 25.
Blues 1911, 1912, 1913. Won 7 Scotland caps and played for OMTs.
Lieut in Leinster Regiment, but attached to 29th Squadron Royal Flying Corps.
# Arras Flying Services Memorial (Addenda Panel)


JESUS (1)

Bernard Henry Holloway (The Leys School /Jesus)
Born 13 January, 1888, Wandsworth Common, London.
Killed in action at the Battle of Loos on 27 September, 1915 aged 27.
Blues in 1907, 1909. Played for both Strentham and Shoreham Camps 1914. Played cricket for Sussex and toured West Indies with MCC.
Commissioned as a Lieutenant in 9th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment and quickly rose to rank of Captain.
# Loos Memorial, Pas de Calais (Panel 69-73)


SELWYN (1)

Harvey Staunton (Bromsgrove School / Selwyn)
Born 21 November, 1870 in Staunton, Nottinghamshire.
Died on active service in Arzizieh, Mesopotmia on 14 January, 1918 aged 47.
Blue 1891. Played county cricket for Nottinghmshire CCC.
Ordained 1896, Curate at Boxford and then Rector of Boughton Sunley. He had been working in India since 1911.
Chaplain 4th Class (Captain), Indian Expeditionary Force.
# North Gate War Cemetery, Baghdad (Plot XX, Row J, Grave 7)


TRINITY HALL (1)

Brinley Richard Lewis (Swansea Grammar School / Trinity Hall)
Born 4 January, 1891 in Portardawe.
Killed in action at Ypres when enemy shell hit the Battery Mess on 2 April, 1917 aged 26.
Blues 1909, 1910, 1911. Won 2 Wales caps and played for Swansea, London Welsh and Barbarians.
Served in Glamorgan Yeomanry and rose to rank of Major, “B” Battery, 122nd Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, 38th (Welsh) Division. Mentioned in Despatches.
# Ferme-Olivier Cemetery, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium (Plot 3, Row C, Grave 1)

Edited 24 December , 2014 by MBrockway

[stiletto_33853]

Nice Mark, looks like Oxford were doing pretty well back in those days as well although not as well as today.

Andy

[ianw]

A splendid tribute.

[MBrockway]

Andy and I have decided it would be nice addition to this topic to add the Blues team photos for these 55 Fallen rugby players.

We'll do individual posts for each player and then other Pals can add additional information about the men's military careers etc.

We've watermarked the pictures with 'Great War Forum' to reduce the chances of the photos being misused. If any Pal wants unwatermarked copies for legitimate purposes PM me or Andy.

This is a fairly big job, so it'll be a few days before we get them all done. Bear with us!

Many of these Blues played in more than one Varsity match. We will not post the team photos for their duplicate years.

Cheers,

Mark

[MBrockway]

Rev Rupert Edward INGLIS (Rugby School / University College, Oxford)
Born 17 May, 1863 in London.
Killed in action at Ginchy (Somme) on 18 September, 1916 aged 53. Killed while bringing in wounded under heavy fire.

Blues 1881, 1884. Won 3 England caps and played for Blackheath and Middlesex.

Went to Ely Theological College in 1885 and was ordained a Deacon in 1889. Held curacies at Helmsley and Basingstoke, and in 1900 was appointed Rector of Frittenden, Kent.

In 1915 he decided that if he was to encourage the young men of his village to sign up for the army, he would also have to volunteer. At the age of 51 he was commissioned as a Chaplain to the Forces, 4th Class on 5 July, 1915 and was attached to 1st Battalion, King's Shropshire Light Infantry, arriving in France later that month.

In December 1915, he was attached to the 16th Infantry Brigade, 6th Division, in the Ypres Salient.

On 18 September, 1916, he joined a party of stretcher-bearers, in order to help bring in the wounded. While doing this, he was struck by a fragment of shell and while his wound was being dressed a second shell killed him instantly.

# Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France (Pier and Face 4 C)

 

Edited 8 December , 2017 by MBrockway

[Old Owl]

If I am not mistaken the photo of Leonard Parker(Christ Church College)is shown as an incorrect image on their web-site. I wonder if this is the image which you will be showing here?

[MBrockway]

Cecil Douglas BAKER (Sherborne / Merton College, Oxford)
Born 6 December, 1870 in Beckenham.
Killed in action at Le Bois des Crapouillots 29 July, 1917 aged 46. Previously wounded in April, 1916.

Blues 1891,1893. Played for Blackheath and Barbarians.

Was a member of the London Stock Exchange.

Commissioned as 2nd Lt in R.N.V.R. Anti-Aircraft Corps in September, 1914, he transferred to Grenadier Guards 21 September, 1915. Promoted to Lieutenant, January, 1916, and Acting Captain January, 1917. Served with the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders from 28 October, 1915.

# Buried at Duhallow ADS Cemetery, Ieper, West Vlaanderen, Belgium (Plot VIII, Row C, Grave 11)

Edited 8 December , 2017 by MBrockway

[Old Owl]

That's fine Mark, just thought that it may avoid an incorrect image being reproduced yet again. I have his 1914/15 Star named 2/Lt L.Parker, R.F.C., so hence my interest. I also have the 1914/15 Star Trio with boxes of issue to 2/Lt-Captain D.M.Bain, Gordon Highlanders.

Great Project by the way. I look forward to seeing more of the group photos.

Robert

[Old Owl]

On 13/11/2014 at 04:01, MBrockway said:

Where exactly is the 'wrong 'un'? I might be able to get it corrected! Couldn't find any pictures at all on the Varsity Match website.

If you  Google: Major Leonard Parker  then you should find a fairly lengthy obituary and incorrect portrait. I am uncertain as to whom the officer is whose photo appears but it is most definitely not Leonard Parker.

[MBrockway]

Maxwell Alexander ROBERTSON (Loretto / Trinity College, Oxford)
Born 13 October, 1874.
During the Battle of the Somme he was reported wounded and missing on 1 July, 1916, and later was reported killed on that date, aged 41.

Blues 1894, 1896. Played for London Scottish.

Joined up 15 September, 1914 and was Captain ‘B’ Company, 10th (Service) Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.

# Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France (Pier and Face 4D and 5B)

Edited 8 December , 2017 by MBrockway

[MBrockway]

Thomas Arthur NELSON (Edinburgh Academy / University College, Oxford)
Born 22 September, 1876 in Edinburgh.
Killed in action in Arras 9 April, 1917 aged 40.

Blues 1897,1898 (Captain). Won 1 Scotland cap and played for Edinburgh Academicals and Barbarians.

He was a partner in Thomas Nelson and Sons, publishing house.

Mobilised 4 August, 1914 and was Captain in 1st Lothian and Border Horse attached to Machine Gun Corps.

Mentioned in Despatches three times.

# Faubourg d'Amiens Cemetery, Arras (Plot VlI, Row G, Grave 26)

---

Harry ALEXANDER (Uppingham / Corpus Christi College, Oxford)
Born 6 January, 1879 in Oxton, Cheshire.
Killed in action at Hulluch, France on 17 September, 1915, aged 36.

Blues in 1897and 1898. Won 7 England caps and captained the side in the defeat to Wales at Blackheath in 1902. Played for Birkenhead Park, Richmond (captain v 1905 All Blacks), Cheshire, the North and the Barbarians.

He was an assistant master at Stanmore Prep School and later a professional singer.

Received a commission in the Grenadier Guards and joined as a 2nd Lieutenant on 1 August, 1915. He died 77 days later – his second day in the trenches.

# Arras Road Cemetery, Roclincourt, Pas de Calais, France (Plot II, Row C, Grave 18)

Edited 8 December , 2017 by MBrockway

[Old Owl]

Their photo is definitely not a chap in RFC uniform, but he does bear a good resemblance to Parker in the 1905 OURFC team photo. More on that when I get to 1905! I'll attempt to post Christ Church's image at the same time for comparison.

Direct link is: http://www.chch.ox.ac.uk/cathedral/memorials/WW1/Leonard-Parker

The photo posted on the Christ Church site appears to be wearing an Essex Regt badge and collars--which of course never could be related to Leonard Parker. Also L.P. has a fine moustache and is otherwise facially quite different.

There is no doubt whatsoever that the Christ Church image is that of an impostor

Robert

[MBrockway]

Five of the Oxford 1903 Blues were among the Fallen ...

Harry CHEYNE (Edinburgh Academy / University College, Oxford) - KiA, Ypres, 10 Jul 1917 - temp. Lt-Col., 'D' Bty, 189th Brigade, RFA
John Charles Lancelot FARQUHARSON (Dulwich College / University College, Oxford) - Wounded & MiA, Messines, 31 Oct 1914 - Lt., 14/London Regt (London Scottish)
Charles BOURNS (Merchant Taylor’s School, London / St John’s College, Oxford) - KiA, France, 25 May 1915 - Lt., 4/RB
John Edward RAPHAEL (Merchant Taylor’s School, London / St John’s College, Oxford) - DoW, Messines Ridge, 11 Jun 1917 - Lt., 18/KRRC
Rev John Garrett BUSSELL (St Edward’s School, Oxford / Brasenose College, Oxford) - KiA 28 Jun 1915 - Capt., 7/Royal Sussex Rgt
 

Their details follow in separate posts.

Edited 8 December , 2017 by MBrockway

[MBrockway]

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Harry CHEYNE (Edinburgh Academy / University College, Oxford)
Born 8 December, 1882 in Edinburgh.
Killed in action at Ypres on 10 July, 1917 aged 34.

Blues 1903, 1904. Went to Edinburgh University after Oxford and qualified as Writer to the Signet in 1908.

Commissioned as 2nd Lt in 1st Lowland Brigade, Royal Field Artillery in 1909 and promoted Lieutenant in 1914.

Mobilised 4 August, 1914, he went to France on 24 September, 1915. Promoted to Captain in December, 1916.

In April, 1917, he was promoted Major and was in charge of “D” Battery, of the 189th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, being made Temporary Lieutenant-Colonel in 1917.

# Dickebusch New Military Cemetery Extension, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium (Plot ll, Row D, Grave 26)

[MBrockway]

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John Charles Lancelot FARQUHARSON (Dulwich College / University College, Oxford)
Born 16 May, 1881 in Sculcoates.
Wounded and missing in action at Messines on 31 October, 1914, aged 32.

Blue 1903. Played for Surrey, London Scottish and Old Alleynians.

Mobilised 4 August, 1914 and was Lt in 14th London Regiment (London Scottish).

# Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium (Panel 54)

[MBrockway]

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Charles BOURNS (Merchant Taylor’s School, London / St John’s College, Oxford)
Born 7 August, 1881 in Lichfield, Staffordshire.
Killed in action in France, 25 May, 1915 aged 34.

Blue 1903. Played for OMTs and Leicester.

Schoolteacher at Westminster School, Bilton Grange and Repton.

Joined up 7 Aug 1914 and was Lt, 6th (Reserve) Bn., Rifle Brigade attached to 4th Battalion, Rifle Brigade.

# Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium (Panel 46-48 and 50)

[MBrockway]

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John Edward RAPHAEL (Merchant Taylor’s School, London / St John’s College, Oxford)
Born 30 April, 1882 in Brussels, Belgium.
Died of wounds received on Messines Ridge, Remy, 11 June, 1917 aged 35.

Blues 1901, 1902, 1903 and 1904. Won 9 England caps and captained 1910 British Lions in Argentina. Played for Surrey and OMT.

Cricket Blue (1903, 1904, 1905), Water Polo Blue (1902, 1903, 1904).

Barrister at Lincoln’s Inn in January 1908.

Joined up in September, 1914 and was Lt/ADC in 18th (Service) Bn. (Arts & Crafts), King’s Royal Rifle Corps.

# Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium (Plot XIII, Row A, Grave 2)

His obituary from the 1917 KRRC Chronicle ...

Edit:

see also this excellent group portrait of the officers of 18/KRRC at Gidea Hall in summer 1915

John Raphael was the cousin of Sir Herbert Raphael, MP, who raised 18/KRRC (Arts & Crafts).

Also this detailed topic on John Raphael.

Edited 22 February , 2016 by MBrockway

[MBrockway]

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Rev John Garrett BUSSELL (St Edward’s School, Oxford / Brasenose College, Oxford)
Born 3 March 1882 in Newark.
Killed in action in Belgium, 28 June, 1915 aged 33.

Blues in 1903, 1904. Played for Harlequins.

Served in South Africa 1900-01 with 40th Company Imperial Yeomanry and Ordained in 1905.

Assistant master and Chaplain at St Edward’s School, Oxford (1908-1914) and then at Marlborough (1914-15).

Joined up 9 September, 1914 and rose to Temp Captain in 7th Royal Sussex Regiment.

# Tancrez Farm Cemetery, Comines-Warneton, Hainaut, Belgium (Plot I, Row B, Grave 13)

[MBrockway]

Two of the Oxford 1905 Blues were among the Fallen ...

Harold Augustus HODGES (Sedbergh / Trinity College, Oxford) - KiA near Ham, 24 Mar 1918 - 2/Lt, 3/Monmouths attached 11/South Lancs
Leonard PARKER (Marlborough College / Christ Church, Oxford) - KiA Peronne, 07 Jan 1917 - Major, RFC

Edited 8 December , 2017 by MBrockway

[MBrockway]

Harold Augustus HODGES (Sedbergh / Trinity College, Oxford)
Born 22 January, 1886 in Mansfield Woodhouse.
Killed in action near Ham / Eppeville 24 March,1918, aged 32. Originally reported ‘missing presumed dead’. Declared KiA 22 October.

Blues 1905, 1906, 1907 (Secretary), 1908 (Captain). He played against his elder brother in the 1905 Varsity Match at Queen’s (EC Hodges 1903-05). Won 2 England caps and played for Midland Counties, Nottingham and Blackheath.

He was one of six sons who all served in WW1.

Was a schoolteacher at Tonbridge School.

Commissioned as 2nd Lt in 3rd Battalion Monmouths, 27 August, 1914.

Became Captain December, 1916. Then attached to 11th South Lancashire Regiment.

Went to France in February, 1914 and was wounded in 2nd Battle of Ypres and again in 1917.

Twice mentioned in despatches.

On one occasion in front of the Thiepval in July 1916, on his way back with a working party in the early dawn, he found a wounded man of another Regiment lying out in ‘No Man’s Land’ and rather than allow him to lie there all day took him on his back and carried him for more than a mile over shell holes and trenches to the dressing station.

He was mentioned in Sir Douglas Haigh’s Despatch of 09 April 1917, for services in 1916 and again in that of 07 Nov 1917 for services between 26 February and 20 September 1917.

# Roye New British Cemetery, Somme, France (Plot llI, Row E, Grave 1)

[MBrockway]

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Leonard PARKER (Marlborough College / Christ Church, Oxford)
Born 25 February, 1886 in Bix, Oxfordshire.
Killed in action at Peronne, 7 January 1917, aged 30.

Blue 1905. Played for Marlborough Nomads.

Became a Land Agent in Yorkshire.

Commissioned on 12 August 1914 as a 2nd Lt on Probation in the Royal Flying Corps Military Wing.

By 1916, he had reached the rank of Major, and Commanded 52 Squadron, RFC, though gazetted to the 15th (The King's) Hussars.

The squadron was attached to 10th Corps of the Fourth Army. The squadron undertook its primary role of Corps reconnaissance.

On 7 January 1917, Parker became the Squadron’s first casualty. With his observer, 2nd Lt Mann, he left Chipilly in an R.E.8 on a photographic patrol. They were shot down half an hour after taking off, north west of Peronne. Parker was killed in the crash, Mann was taken prisoner, and survived the war.

# Tincourt New British Cemetery, Somme, France (Plot X, Row B, Grave 2)

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Here's Parker's entry in the Christ Church, Oxford Roll of Honour (full page is here: http://www.chch.ox.ac.uk/cathedral/memorials/WW1/Leonard-Parker)

Major Squadron Commander Leonard PARKER
Royal Flying Corps

Date of birth: 25 February 1886
Date of death: 22 March 1917 (sic - correct date is 07 Jan 1917.

Killed in action aged 31
Buried in the Tincourt New British Cemetery Plot X. B. 2

Leonard was born at Bix, Oxfordshire, the second youngest of the eight children of the Reverend the Hon. Algernon Parker, Rector of Bix, a son of the 6th Earl of Macclesfield, and Emma Jane (nee) Kenyon.

Leonard was educated at Marlborough, coming up to Christ Church in 1905. He appears to have been at the College for only one year and it is not known what he did until he received his Flying Certificate on 28 May 1914. He was flying a Bristol bi-plane at the Bristol School at Brooklands.

On 12 August 1914 he was gazetted as a Second Lieutenant on Probation in the RFC Military Wing.

By 1916, he had reached the rank of Major, and Commanded Fifty Two Squadron which had been the first RFC Squadron to be equipped with the new R.E.8 reconnaissance aircraft [nicknamed ‘Harry Tate’ after a successful music hall comedian of the time]. The unit assembled at Rouen before moving southwards to the Somme Sector, where the Squadron made its home at the large aerodrome situated near Bertangles, a village situated a few miles north of Amiens.

Attached to Tenth Corps of the Fourth Army, the squadron undertook its primary role of Corps reconnaissance, a task which entailed the taking of hundreds of aerial photographs, and sketching maps, often in atrocious weather, of the enemy’s positions in the Corps sector to the east. By December the Squadron had moved eastwards to an airfield near the village of Chipilly. 
 
On the 7 January 1917, the Squadron suffered its first casualty to enemy action. A little before midday Parker and his observer, Second Lieutenant Mann, left Chipilly in an R.E.8 on a photographic patrol. They never returned, having been shot down half an hour after taking off, north west of Peronne. Parker was killed in the crash, Mann was taken prisoner, and survived the war.

Much of the acclaim for the successful achievements of the opening phase of the Arras Offensive can be placed on the shoulders of the airmen of the Royal Flying Corps. Flying their flimsy aircraft, often in atrocious weather, they took thousands of aerial photographs and drew an equal number of sketch maps, pin pointing every German gun position and strongpoint, thus placing in the hands of the British High Command a complete overview of the obstacles they were facing, and ensuring that the British artillery could accurately pinpoint every enemy gun position. The Corps flew innumerable reconnaissance flights over the enemy’s positions and provided close cooperation to the troops on the ground by ‘strafing’ and bombing enemy troop concentrations once the assault began.

Probate was granted to his father on 7 May 1917. He left £873-6s-11d.

---

Earlier in the Topic, Pal raised doubts about whether the photo of Leonard Parker on the Christ Church, Oxford Roll of Honour website was indeed of Parker.

I've put that picture side by side with a close-up from the 1905 OURFC team photo.


... there's certainly a good resemblance, but old owl rightly is not happy with the man on the left not being in RFC uniform.

A possible explanation lies in his entry in the 1916 Q4 Army List ...



It seems Parker was ?promoted? Lieutenant in the 15th Hussars for some reason.

It may not be relevant, but I did note in the 1915 Annual Army List, that Capt Frederick Hugh SYKES, of 15th (The King's) Hussars was listed as temp Lt.Col, Commandant, RFC Military Wing.


Working on the possibility that the Christ Church picture may be a man in cavalry uniform, I google-ed the units insignia.

15th (The King's) Hussars cap badge and collar dogs (Edit: original FleaBay links broken, so replaced with alternatives. Also added Essex badge for comparison) ...

1. 2. 3.
[1. © 1stTankie (Gordon) on British Badge Forum]
[2. Strictly copyright. © 2010 D. Wright & Keith Blakeman on British Badge Forum]
[3. © North East Medals]


If this is the cap badge of the man in the Christ Church photo, then the motto scroll and the 'XV.KH' are obscured behind his hat strap. I'm not sure about the collar dogs either, which we'd earlier taken for stars with a scroll underneath. Certainly a potential explanation of the discrepancy though. I must admit the Essex cap badge seems a closer match, but wasn't the Essex collar badge an eagle?.

What do you think Robert? A later moustache could make quite a difference to his appearance. Not to mention dozens of photo-reconnaissance sorties in atrocious weather and hostile skies.

[Steven Broomfield]

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Harry CHEYNE (Edinburgh Academy / University College, Oxford)

Born 8 December, 1882 in Edinburgh.

Killed in action at Ypres on 10 July, 1917 aged 34.

Blues 1903, 1904. Went to Edinburgh University after Oxford and qualified as writer for The Signet in 1908.

I'm being pedantic here, but do you mean "Writer to the Signet"? "Writer for The Signet" makes him sound like some form of journalist!

Gret thread, by the way: the effort is appreciated.

[MBrockway]

I'm being pedantic here, but do you mean "Writer to the Signet"? "Writer for The Signet" makes him sound like some form of journalist!

Gret thread, by the way: the effort is appreciated.

How embarrassing - I was unaware of the legal position and corrected it ... incorrectly (hangs head in shame )

Will correct the main entry. Thanks for spotting - all improves the Topic eh? ... and most definitely NOT pedantic.

[Steven Broomfield]

I only know through reading the works of Sir Walter Scott and John Buchan. Those Jocks, eh? What are they like?