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The Great War (1914-1918) Forum

Remembered Today:

Eton College


freddy1918

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Roll of honour and about 20 other publications with other details and mentions of old Eton boys who served in the Great War, fair bit on those who served in WW2 too, so if anybody needs anything....

Jemma

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Thanks for the offer. Is it easy to check if there are any 14th Welsh?

Henry Wightman Benson might have gone there I think?

Bernard

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Jemma - does the index detail regiment, if so, then I "collect" Roll of Honour entries to Royal West Kent Regiment - several of whom went to Eton. From memory, Capt MLW Matthews, kia 3rd July 1916 at Ovilliers was not only an excellent and respected officer but also an old Etonian. Even better if there are photos and you have the time to digi-photo them. I am sorry I am asking for a lot.

Regards,

Jon S

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Hello

Can you please check 2 for me on the off chance they went to Eton

CGR Stock

JHW Heney

and

HHC Williamson who I know was there

All Coldstream Gds - thanks

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Hi Guys,

HW Benson was indeed an OE. He was in the Rev. Merriott's house and left in 1873. I don't have too much relating to that period as he is quite a bit older. It says he has a DSO and that he was acting as a Lt-Col.

Re: Matthews, just got off of a nightshift so I'll look tomorrow - or later today; but I have pictures of more than half of the 1000 odd Etonians who died in WW1 so there is a fair chance that I could turn up one for you.

Stock and Heney were not Etonians. Williamson was in Mr. Byrne's house and left in July 1911. With the lists etc I have I could shape you a pretty detailed view of his time at the school without too much effort if it would be of any use to you. (Academic achievements, sporting, there could be an obituary too...)

Jemma

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Sorry. Re the other Royal West Kent casualties, I could give you a list of Etonians who died serving with the regiment...

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Hello

Thanks for looking

any details on Williamson appreciated

Ian

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Sorry. Re the other Royal West Kent casualties, I could give you a list of Etonians who died serving with the regiment...

Many thanks - any info would be a great help.

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Thanks for the info - it all helps!

Bernard

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Jemma

I wonder if you could give me a list of any Etonians who served with the Buffs (East Kent Regiment). I could reciprocate with any any info I have on them

Thanks in anticipation

Mick

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Hav you anything on Capt William(Pat) Armstrong in the 10th Hussars from Tipperary please?

Regards.

Tom.

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Right here we go...

William M Armstrong MC, Capt in the 10th Royal Hussars left Eton in 1907. First off, I have a picture of him if it is of any interest.

He was the only son of Marcus Beresford Armstrong and Cornelia Maude.

His cousin was Frederick Stanley Maude who wasin charge of allied forces in Mesopotamia at one point during the war. (Incidentally Maude was an old Etonian too, left in 1882, wounded twice, MID 7 times. Was in Warre Cornish's house)

William Armstrong was b. 20/8/1889. Educated Stoke House, Slough, Eton where he was in in Miss Evans' house (Worst casualty rate fo any house outside of the Scholars. When she left he moved into Mr. Hare's house) and Sandhurst.

I don't know what you need but he was gazetted 23.2.1910, promoted Lt. 1/2/1914, Capt 7/5/1917 (Check that out - the day Albert Ball Died - sorry, I digress...

He had served in India and South Africa but was home on leave in England when war broke out. Sent over with the BEF in Aug 1914 and attached to the staff of the 2nd cavalry brigade. Sent to GAllipoli in June 1915 and served as a staff captain with "the famous" 29th division. Took part in the evacuations of Suvla and Helles. Sent on to Egypt, returned to France in March 1916. Serving as a Brigade Major and had just been recommended for a DSO when he was killed on front line duty in a trench near Arras.

MC, MID 4 times.

Keen sportsman, excelled in big game shooting and horse racing/jumping. Involved in fox-hunting all over England and Ireland, good at Polo too.

On his death the General in Chage of the Cavalry Corps wrote: "As an old 10th Hussar, too, I can tell you how very distressed the whole regiment will be, and what a loss he will be to them. He had done so awfully well during this war, and showed such great promise for the future, that he is a great loss, not only to his regiment and the cavalry, but to the whole army. I do not know anyone his age who had a more promising future before him, as not only did he love his profession, and show most of the qualities needed for him to shine in it, but he had such a charming personality that all he came in contact with loved him, and were able to show their best work when working with or under him..."

I hope soe of this is new to you, I have further letters of condoloence, or excerpts of, from three more generals, an NCO and a chaplain if they are of any interest to you.

Cheers

Freddy

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Freddy this is fantastic stuff!! Much appreciated. A lot of this information is new to me. I have a transcript of all his letters from Eton for 1903 and 1904 and most of his letters from the front but none of his time in Sandhurst. I would be most interested in anything else you may have on this man as he hails from quite near me here in Tipperary. It is not clear how he recieved his fatal wound nor why he received his Military cross.

Perhaps we could swop information and pictures?

Knid regards.

Tom.

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Ian

Will PM you about Williamson...

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Freddy

Me again

Same prep school but a longer list (if it's too much just say so)

Lt R.G.Brooman-White

Lt T.A.Buckland

Lt Hon W.A.M.Eden

Lt R.C.G.Leveson-Gower

Lt W.G.G.leveson-Gower

Capt W.G.Martin

Capt T.H.Rivers-Bulkeley

Lt H.A.B. St George

Capt C.F.H.Twining

Lt N.L.Woodroffe

Thanks again

Hambo

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cheers - look forward to receiving

Ian

Will PM you about Williamson...

Do you ever have cause to look in the Windsor papers ?

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Hi Tom,

Didn't get anything specific on his death but I am at Eton on Wed and there is one more place I can look for you to see if there are any more details.

Looking over these other letters everybody seem sto have been in love with "dear old Pat". There are a coupld of lines on his funeral and a snippet about Gallipoli.

You're welcome to all I have, I only need enough for a ashort Obit and portrait photo of him for a private project I am working on.

Hambo,

Lt R.G.Brooman-White 2nd Lt Royal Inniskillings. Bowlby's House, left in 1906

Lt T.A.Buckland Lt. Norfolk Regiment, had been a private in the London Regiment, wounded once, also mid once died of wounds. Was in Tatham's house but went over to Conybeare's when he left. Left in 1911.

Ian,

Have got some stuff to do in the next couple of weeks in the Windsor papers if you need anything.

Freddy

Lt Hon W.A.M.Eden - Started off as a private, RASC later a Lt. on the special list and worked on the staff. Was in the legendary Arthur Benson's house. Left in 1892.

Lt R.C.G.Leveson-Gower I have another G in his initials, Started off in the R Sussex reg, moved into the Coldstreams. Was in LUbbock's house (With Prince Henry and Crown Prince Leopold of Belgium, Bachelor house full of swells dealt with by a bizarre housekeeper) Left in 1914, died of wounds, had been wounded once before. His elder brother served with the Coldstream's.

Lt W.G.G.leveson-Gower - left in 1901, was a King's Scholar (My area but can't say I've ever heard of him) Had served on staff, was acting as a temp Captain in the Coldstreams when he was killed.

Capt W.G.Martin In Hugh MacNaughten's house, left 1906 served as a Lt in the KRRC

Capt T.H.Rivers-Bulkeley Left in 1895, worked his way. Had worked his way through three houses Tarver's Carpenter's and Allcock's Capt scots guards. Looks like his younger brother also died, he too had started off as a capt in the scots guards but was with the KRRC when he died.

Lt H.A.B. St George . Marten's house, left 1913. 1st Life Guards.

Capt C.F.H.Twining Capt Hants Reg, previously been wounded. LEft Eton in 1903 Another one in Tatham's house.

Lt N.L.Woodroffe Brinton's house. Left in 1911. Mid once, Lt Irish Guards.

If you give me till the end of the week I can see if they got obits in the school magazine. Also sure I have photos of at least a couple if youe are keen.

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Gemma

Is there anything on a Lional Charles Stopford-Sackville 4th Btn Rifle Brigade please, born 30th April 1891.

I have a lot of information on him but not sure if he attended Eton.

Regards Chris

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Hi Chris,

Just saw your ref to him elsewhere on the board.

He certainly was an old Etonian. He left in 1909 and was in Somerville's house. Says he was mid 4 times over the course of the war.

Mr Somerville was also his classics tutor. He was in one of the Army classes (most of the boys in them went on to Sandhurst, some to Woolwich, more modern concept in education than the main part of the school). Mr. Rayner-Wood took the class and S-S was a history specialist.

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Hi Jemma,

I guess it slipped your mind but I was hoping you would look up MLW Matthews (kia 3/7/1916) and you were going to look up any other Royal West Kent entries.

No hurry at all.

Regards,

Jon S

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Freddy.

Your help is most appreciated.

Here is a picture of Pat.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a40/clondaleek/Image5.jpg

I hope it is not the one you already have.

I also add his obituary;

1. WILLIAM MAURICE ARMSTRONG, M.C., Capt., 10th (Prince of Wales’s Own Royal) Hussars, only son of Marcus Beresford Armstrong, Capt., D.L., J.P., of Moyaliffe, Co. Tipperary; Chaffpool, Co. Sligo, and Clodagh, Folkestone, Co. Kent, by his wife, Rosalie Cornelia, daughter of the late Maurice Ceely Maude, of Lenaghan, Co. Fermanagh, and cousin to the late Lieut. General Sir F. Stanley Maude, K.C.B., C.M.G., D.S.O.; b. Chaffpool aforesaid, 20 Aug. 1889; educ. at Stoke House, Slough; Eton and the Royal Military College, Sandhurst : was gazetted 2nd Lieut. 23 Feb. 1910; promoted Lieut 1 Feb 1914, and Capt. 7 May, 1917 ; served with his regiment in India and South Africa ; was in England on leave on the outbreak of war, and left for France in Aug. 1914, with the original Expeditionary Force, being attached to the staff of the 2nd Cavalry Brigade ; after serving in France and Flanders, was sent to Gallipoli in June 1915, where he served as Staff Captain, with the famous 29th Division, taking part in the evacuation of both Suvia and Helles ; was sent to Egpyt ; returned to France in March 1916, and was serving as Brigade Major, and had just been recommended for the D.S.O. when he was killed in action on 23 May, 1917, while on duty in a front-line trench near Arras. Buried in Fambourg d’Amiens Cemetery, Arras. Capt. Armstrong was awarded the Military Cross (London Gazette, 2 Feb. 1916), and was four times mentioned in Despatches (London Gazettes, 9 Dec 1914; 28 Jan 1916; 13 July 1916, and 15 May 1917), for gallant and distinguished service in the field. He was a keen sportsman and very successful in his big-game shooting expeditions; had won many races and horse-jumping competitions; was a promising polo player, and had hunted with most of the English and Irish packs. The General Commanding the Cavalry Corps wrote; “As an old Tenth Hussar, too, I can tell you how very distressed the whole regiment will be, and what a loss he will be to them. He had done so awfully well during this war, and showed such great promise for the future, that he is a great loss, not only to his regiment and the cavalry, but to the whole Army. I do not know of anyone of his age who had a more promising future before him, as not only did he love his profession, and show most of the qualities needed for him to shine in it, but he had such a charming personality that all he came in contact with loved him, and were able to show their best work when working with him or under him.” General ________ wrote: “….He was so absolutely fearless, he was bound to be hit sooner or later, but I had always hoped it would be to be wounded only…. I cannot help sending you enclosed, it is so very typical, and no better tribute could be paid to a man. You see the boy is referred to as ‘Dear old Pat’; that he always will be to all the 29th Division, who knew and appreciated him so well; he will never be forgotten.” The enclosed letter stated; “Dear General, You will have been terribly grieved by the news of dear old Pat’s death. I know how proud you were of him. He was so far above the crowd of us, it seems so hard to lose him. Hope things go well with you and your division….” Another General also wrote; “I had met him hunting in the Meynell country, but I had never realised his sterling worth until I found him here as my Brigade Major; he has been my right-hand man… believe me, he is a real loss, not only to you, but to the Army. He was the best and bravest lad that ever lived.” A Colonel on the Staff wrote: “I was convinced that he had a great future ahead of him, for the moment he took on a job he always saw it through. Of his gallantry others have doubtless told you, but what I admired most in him was his unselfishness and kindness; he never said an unkind word of anybody, and that, in the stress and worry of a campaign, is not an easy thing. I saw ‘Pat’ last on the afternoon of the 22nd, the day before he was killed, and I was awfully struck then at the manner in which his presence brightened the sordid dug-out of Brigade Headquarters.” The Chaplain wrote: “I have just returned from your son’s funeral, where a unique gathering of senior officers testified to what we all feel.” General ________ wrote: “He is indeed a loss to us all, as he was one of the most lovable characters I have ever met, unselfish, always cheery under the most trying circumstances, and the bravest of the brave. All the time he was with me in Gallipoli he helped me enormously to get through that trying time with his unvariable cheerfulness and good humour; besides that, his energy was astonishing; no day or work was ever too long or too hard for him; the Service has lost one of its very best” General ________ wrote: “As my A.D.C. said this afternoon, ‘Pat is the best man we have in the Division’; I think that expresses the feeling throughout; there is a gloom over the whole

division to-night over this bereavement. I have seen him grow from boy to man, and a man who gained the respect of the other men who came in contact with him.” General _______ wrote: “He was one of those gallant, unselfish people who had little chance of living through this war. Anyone who has had anything to do with them classifies them at once, and wonders they have lasted so long; there are not many of them left now, so they are valued all the more. This is not idle talk, it might have helped you a little if you had seen the people round our dinner-table when we got the news; he has never been in this brigade, but no one would have guessed it…. His action in risking his life the previous night to try and find the body of a friend was typical of him.” Major ______ wrote: “I don’t suppose there ever was a more popular, keener soldier and sportsman than Pat… but there it is, you have lost one of the very best, and his loss to the Brigade and Division is enormous.” An N.C.O. wrote: “We are all just deep down in the dumps; how much we all miss him I dare not say; other good fellows are gone and we mourn their loss, but with Pat it was so different. At present we all just think but dare not speak…. We must try and keep his memory green by endeavouring to follow his noble, unselfish life.”

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Jon,

I hadn't forgotten. I don't have the list in digital format and it's done on name so I am going through the 7000 odd Etonians who served in the war one by one. I'm at C so far and I have a couple of RWK.

Re: Matthews I just have something I want to look up at Eton tomorrow before I write him up for you.

Tom,

The picture of Armstrong is ten times better than the one I have of him, thanks for posting that. Intend to see if I can clear up the circumstances of his death tomorrow at the College and will get back to you.

Freddy

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Ian,

Have got some stuff to do in the next couple of weeks in the Windsor papers if you need anything.

Freddy

Thanks - Ill send a PM

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Jon,

I hadn't forgotten. I don't have the list in digital format and it's done on name so I am going through the 7000 odd Etonians who served in the war one by one. I'm at C so far and I have a couple of RWK.

Re: Matthews I just have something I want to look up at Eton tomorrow before I write him up for you.

Jemma, many thanks. That explains it. Also gives me something to look forward too!!

Regards,

Jon

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Hi,

Could you see if you have any information, possibly photograph of:

DARBY-GRIFFITH, OCTAVIUS SIDNEY (11th Loyal North Lancs KIA 27 May 1918)

Regards

David

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