1916

1916

Timeline World

School 21 January 1916 Leslie Raymond Talbot Gilbert dies, Death toll reaches double figures

January 1916 Conscription introduced 21 February 1916 Battle of Verdun begins Continues until November April 1916 Record number of 200 boys in OTC 1916 31 May 1916 Sheild donated by OB Battle of Jutland Inspires House shooting competition Only large scale naval battle of the war July 1916 60 boys assist with Flax harvest 1 July 1916 Battle of the Somme begins Continues for five months

15 September 1916 First British tanks used

28 November 1916 20 December 1916 First German aeroplane raid on Britain School concert held in Victoria Rooms due to lighting regulations of the Great Hall December 1916 Lloyd George becomes Prime Minister

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Economy

Good wife, be wise, Economise.

With Maypole dyes Economise.

And hypnotise Or paralyse Your husband’s eyes With new dyed ties.

Don’t ‘pologise, He won’t despise Economise, But realise And recognise That with such dyes That man is wise Who seldom buys New half-crown ties.

Tho’ hubby sighs Because the pies Are undersize, Economise; If currants rise In price, try flies!

Anon.

School Chronicle December 1916

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Contents School Life Economy Shooting Challenge Shield School Events Francis John Hannam School Societies Retirement from Cape Helles Teachers Sidney Charles Garlick

110 112 113 114 116 120 122 130 132

Grammar School Flax Chronicle Notes

Flax Pulling Camp Account

Fragment of a Diary

Another Diary of Camp Life

The Song of the Flax

135 137 139 142 144 147

Officer Training Corps Stanley Charles Booker Scouts War News Cyril Norwood Leaves The Arrival of Joseph Barton Deceased

148 151 155 159 163 173 175

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School Life Almost a year and half since the conflict began in Europe, the War appears to be taking it’s toll on the School. The first Chronicle of 1916 opens with nostalgic and motivational words from the Editor: “Already we look back on the school life of the last years with a strange feeling of detachment. Championships, matches, debates, committee-meetings, games and work, the keen endeavour and rollicking fun, no longer seem part of our lives – we are in another world.

“Was it for mere fools’ play, make believe and mumming

So we battled it like men, not boy-like sulked or whined?

Each of us heard clang God’s “come!” and each was coming

Soldiers all, to forward-face, not sneaks to lag behind!

No! The struggle continues! The joy of life and battle on the footer field is a trial for the real thing. Build up the House and the School. The nation and the world await reconstruction from the hands of boys of to-day. You will step into a gap – the generation before you, with its ideals and thoughts, has been swept away; you will have to start afresh with small heritage from your predecessors. Set the jaw, stiffen the sinews; exert yourselves to your utmost powers, be it mind or body; not one straight and clean fighter can be spared in the years to come: now is the time, here the place to start –

“To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield!” ”

The consequences which had the greatest impact on the School were, the lack of older pupils, and the lighting restrictions. In pre-War times it was customary for prefects to return to the School, for example, to assist with games. However, due to the war, the vast majority of the prefects were leaving to undertake military duties and so were unable to return. Many even left a term early, meaning that in 1916, the Classical examination was held at the end of the Spring Term instead of the Summer.

This loss of the older members of the School had a significant impact on the sports

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teams, especially the Rugby team, who were believed to have the lightest First XV on record, with “the heaviest man weighing barely 11½ stone”.

The second area of concern to the School was the lighting restrictions, which seemed to impact nearly every type of extracurricular activity, as the Scientific Society repeatedly points out. Yet the School clubs and Societies refused to be discouraged, and simply adapted their activities until the restrictions were lifted. For example, the Scientific Society held lectures instead of using the labs, and the Music Society held meetings at pupil’s homes and discussed music instead of playing it.

Whilst the War work of the Scouts and the Corps has already been mentioned, it must be noted that many other areas of the School were busy contributing in any way they could, not least the Carpenter’s Shop (now the John James Room). In one term, they produced 15 pairs of crutches, 10 bed tables, 20 to 25 foot-rests, 10 to 12 pillow-rests, and 16 arm-splints, all for the Clifton War Hospital Depot. Yet the pupils’ commitment to the War effort did little to reduce their usual charitable activities: “The result of the Cot Collection up to the time at which this goes to the printer surpasses all previous records, and makes certain the success of the School purpose of endowing for a year at any rate a further cot in memory of Nurse Edith Cavell. £94 s19 d9 [around £7,200]”.

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Economy “To save the daylight, make a habit of always getting up an hour earlier than you did the day before. It will be found that this will also save night-lights.

To save coal, light the kitchen fire in the dining room. Use buttered beans, oil cake, or lump sugar in place of firewood.

To renovate a suit that is work or shiny, put it into a sauce-pan and boil for 6 hours, taking care previously to remove from the pockets sweets, half-chewed apples, string, white mice, silk worms, snakes, and other perishable goods. When cooked, dish up, adding pepper and salt to taste, put on and walk briskly till dry. This will prevent shrinkage and save ironing.

Old straw hats should be put through a chaff cutter. Mix the results with treacle and other ingredients, put into a quick-firing oven and make into shortbread – the shorter the better.”

F. G. B. School Chronicle December 1916

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Shooting Challenge Shield In the Summer Term of 1916 an Old Boy, Mr John Phillips, presented the School with a Shooting Challenge Shield. This was the birth of the inter-House firing competition, which was undertaken intermittently until the late 1960s. Initially teams consisted of seven members from each House. It was hoped that “this competition should prove an inducement to boys when regular firing commences, to try and get some shots on the target and not merely to blaze away ammunition”.

The Shield itself is described as follows: “It shows in silver a reproduction of Lady Butler’s picture of the old 28th at Quatre Bras, and no more suitable picture could have been chosen in view of the School’s connection with the Gloucestershire Regiment. It has beside a number of blank silver shields on which the names of the winning Houses can be engraved.”

The School Shooting Shield

Photographed by Nicola Pearce, 2013

1916 1917 1918 1921 1922 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1932 1944 1946 1947 1949 1950

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

Beames’ Holmes’ Holmes’ Beames’ Beames’ Holmes’ Jacob’s Pitts’ Jacob’s Jacob’s Morris’ Dunnicliff’s Langford’s Morris’ Dudley’s Dudley’s

1951 1952 1955 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1966 1967

– Dunnicliff’s – Langford’s – Osborne’s – Fox’s – Osbourne’s – Lucas’ – Lucas’ – Lucas’ – Trott’s – Trott’s – Meigh’s – Lucas’ – Lucas’

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School Events Prize Giving The Annual Prize Giving took place on the 6th October, and held a special importance as it was the last School function at which Dr. Norwood would be present as Headmaster. It is reported that many hoped he would return in the alternative role of “distributing the prizes, consoling the luckless and humbly beseeching Mr. Barton for a holiday for the School”. Unlike the previous year, parents and friends were invited and “all the pomp and glory of former ceremonies was restored”. Unfortunately the lighting restrictions struck again, necessitating the event to be held at 3 p.m., which is reported to have prevented many from attending. The following account is taken from the December 1916 Chronicle: “The Headmaster, on rising to speak, was welcomed with a great burst of applause, which Thucydides alone might describe in adequate terms. He first made reference to the Old Boys of the School. Thirty-five had died for the freedom of England, and as a sign of respect and love for them he asked the School to stand. He outlined the Memorial Scheme for the fallen which he had planned, and pointed out that though not run on military lines, the School had done remarkably well in the matter of distinctions, a considerable proof that our education was not so hopelessly wrong as some would have it believed to be.

The Headmaster briefly reviewed the progress made during the last ten years, mentioning the generous gifts to the School by various benefactors, amounting to £30,000 in all [over £2.3 million today]. At the end of his Headmastership, he turned with confidence to the future, and he saw greater prospects for the School than ever.

He concluded by dealing with education after the war: ‘bread and butter’ subjects and specialisation must be avoided up to 16 years of age, since the object of education was to develop faculty of mind and body.

The prizes were distributed by the Sheriff. ...He said that as a Governor of twelve years standing he has great interest in the School, and was particularly pleased to hear

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the Headmaster’s excellent report. Though they were all sorry to lose Dr. Norwood, yet they most heartily congratulated him on his appointment as Headmaster of Marlborough. It was Marlborough’s gain and Bristol’s loss, but they were proud he was chosen for that important position and wished him God-speed and every success. He agreed that England must not let her education drift into the dangers of materialism which would be fatal to her empire; something greater than material prosperity was to be her aim.

Then came the surprise of the afternoon: and may it never grow old and stale! Mr. Chattock asked for a holiday next day for the School: whereat the School was much overcome. After it had recovered a vote of thanks was proposed by Mr. Langford and seconded by Mr. Francombe, and the proceedings were ended by the School Song, which was sung with all the enthusiasm we could muster under the circumstances.”

School Concert The Annual Concert was held on Wednesday, December 20th. However, due to lighting restrictions in place on the Great Hall, the concert was moved to the Victoria Rooms.

During the interval a collection was taken by members of the Robert Thorne Troop of Scouts on behalf of the Public Schools’ Hospital Fund. Unfortunately, the Chronicles make no mention of the amount raised.

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Francis John Hannam Francis John Hannam was at the School from 1891 to 1896. He served in the Gloucesters as a Captain and was sadly killed on 5th July 1916. This report appeared in the July 1916 School Chronicle.

“Captain Frank J. Hannam - An Appreciation It is twenty years ago since Frank Hannam left the School: it seems incredible, for he was always kept in the closest touch with it, and was better known than many Old Boys who have left but recently. And now he is dead! but not until he had given his life for the noblest of all causes - his Country and his King!

As all his friends would expect, he died a hero, sacrificing his life for others. His fellow-officers write of his deed in the most glowing terms: though the details are not yet complete, the testimony already borne proves conclusively that the feat he performed was one of the most fearless bravery and one that is likely to win him a posthumous honour of the highest degree, a V.C. or at least, a Military Cross. It is thought that Frank must have died on the afternoon of Tuesday, July 4th, for the Chaplain attached to the Division states ‘Early on Tuesday morning Captain Hannam led his Company gallantly in an attack upon the Germans’ trench, mounted their parapet and cleared one bay himself; he was then wounded, and was carried back to our trenches by his Orderly, who also behaved splendidly.’ The writer then adds a human touch, which those who knew our friend best will much appreciate: ‘he made his Communion last Sunday morning, as he always did before going into the trenches.’

Other evidence goes to show that Frank behaved magnificently, that it was through unselfishness that he lost his life, and that his own bravery prevented more men from being killed. Had he not stopped on the way back to help a wounded soldier, we might not have to mourn his loss.

Captain Hannam was a typical product of the English Public School system, largehearted, generous, optimistic; he never shirked a duty, however distasteful, and was

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School Chronicle, July 1916

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never satisfied until the work he had in hand was accomplished, and accomplished successfully. What he has done for sport in Bristol is well-known: he resuscitated the Clifton Rugby Club, and made the Old Bristolians’ Cricket Club popular and famous throughout the West Country, while as President of Bristol and District Cricket Association and previouslt as President of the County Rugby Committee, he displayed unusual powers of organisation, great business acumen, and a deep knowledge both of men and affairs. It is, however, as Captain of the Old Bristolians’ Cricket Club that his memory will be dearest to readers of the School magazine. His energy, both on the field and off, was inexhaustible, just as his enthusiasm was infectious. We do not forget that it was he who suggested the erection of the Pavilion on the old School field; we remember with gratitude the earnestness with which he advocated and worked for the cause, as well as the great success which attended his efforts. Yet it was on the Cricket field that he was seen at his best, especially in the capacity of captin of the side: his encouragement has won many a game, while his unfailing cheerfulness popularised the team with all opponents. Who that has toured with him in South Devon will ever forget those happy, halcyon days? So versatile was our friend, so original and amusing that the fun never slackened: he was the life and soul of the party, and while he was present, song and frolic were unceasing.

Though measured by time his life has been a short one (he was just 36 years of age when he died) yet it has been crowded with event interesting not only to himself, but to others. His has been a full life, a rich life; ‘an example to imitate and a pattern to adorn.’ While all boys of the School, both past and present, mourn his loss but are proud of his deed, at the same time they extend the deepest sympathy to his widow, father and sisters. They feel with the poet: - ‘We live in deeds, not years: in thoughts, not breaths: in feelings, not in figures on a dial. We should not count time by heartthrobs. He most live who thinks most, feels the noblest, acts the best.’ H.A.M.P. A memorial service, conducted by the Rev. F. Norton, was held at St. Mary’s, Tyndall’s Park, on Sunday, July 23rd. The service was unique, for on no previous occasion has such a representative gathering of sportsmen assembled in Bristol. Every department

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of athletic life in the two counties sent its representative, and the large congregation afforded a striking and remarkable tribute to the popularity and sterling work of Frank Hannam, true sportsman and gallant gentleman.”

Unfortunately, Hannam was not awarded any medals posthumously. However, another O.B., Second-Lieutenant F.A. Ridler, won the Military Cross for “the conspicious coolness and courage with which he rallied and brought out of action the company when Captain F.J. Hannam fell.”

Hannam left behind a wife, Edith Margaret Hannam (née Boucher) who was an Olympic tennis player. Over her career she won two Gold Medals (indoor singles and indoor mixed doubles tennis) at the 1912 Stockholm Olympics, and was runner up in the women’s doubles finals at Wimbledon in 1914. She died in 1951 in Weston Edith Hannam, 1912 Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Super Mare, aged 71.

Edith_Hannam

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School Societies Musical Undeterred by the war, in the Spring Term of 1916 a new Musical Society was created.

Despite their initial feisty attitude, they very quickly ran into issues with the lighting restrictions which affected the use of the Great Hall and thus, the piano.

“The Secretary of the lately formed Scientific Society boasted in his first report last term that his was the only society of the school which met to do things, not to talk about them. It may interest the aforesaid society to know that the latest-formed society meets also to do things, but not to do things selfishly for themselves, but to do them also for the enjoyment and improvement of others.

The Musical Society began this term with annoying difficulties to supermount. The worst and almost fatal blow was struck by the trivial lighting order, which prevented us from having meetings in the Great Hall. The piano contained in the same remained as immovable as authority which refused to have it moved. However we held meetings at the private houses of various members.”

However, the need to hold the meetings elsewhere apparently did little to dampen their enthusiasm, with five meetings being held in the Autumn Term alone. They also held their own concert on Saturday, March 25th, at 5.40pm, “the early hour was necessary owing to the lighting regulations”.

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Scientific Society It appears that the Scientific Society is suffering the most from the lighting restrictions: “Members of the Scientific Society have now their own private bone to pick with Germany, since the blindlessness of the laboratories has prevented evening meetings being held in them, and so practical work has had to give place to Lectures in Room 5”. Yet they do agree that it is not all doom and gloom as they go on to say that they “have to thank the kindly Hun for being the indirect cause of such a series of excellent lectures”.

Junior Social Club Members of the Junior Social Club also received a number of interesting lectures throughout 1916. On Saturday 5th February, Monsieur Thiriet gave a lecture entitled ‘A journey from Strasburg (Alsace) to Switzerland’. This was followed by two Warrelated lectures, one from Captain Lewis who presented his ‘Experiences at the Front’, and one from Monsieur Chicoteau regarding conditions at the Front.

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Retirement from Cape Helles The following account was taken from a letter written by A.L. Watkins. It was reproduced in the July 1916 School Chronicle.

There are a good many in the School who will remember A. L. Watkins, now 2nd Lieutenant in the 7th Glo’sters, but not only these but all old and present boys will be interested in the following letter which the Headmaster received this term: -

After the evacuation of Suvla Bay we

four house system of reckoning time

spent a week at Lemnos, which gave

avoids any confusion between a.m.

us a Xmas day in peace and quiet.

and p.m.

On the 27th of December we sailed

for Cape Helles – two brigades of the

Between the steamships and the shore

13th Division having been ordered to

ran f lat, shallow draught boats known

the Peninsula.

to T. Atkins as “beetles.” There is

a lower deck affording complete

We arrived about 7.30 p.m. or as we

protection from shrapnel and bullets; -

call it out there 19.30. The twenty-

no mast, the main deck being about a

The River Clyde, some time after the landings Photo Source: http://www.1914-1918.net

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foot above water.

the Dardanelles a heavy gun known to

the general public as “Asiatic Annie.”

I was on the first “beetle” for the

She fired a great deal at ‘V’ beach and

shore and we ran alongside the “River

‘W’ beach by day and night. From ‘V’

Clyde,” the most famous merchant-

beach we could see the f lash of the

man in history, I suppose. Through

gun. A man with a horn was always

the Clyde we went, along a lower deck

on duty at night watching for f lashes.

to a quay wall or causeway which had

When he saw a f lash he blew the horn

been built out from the shore. This

and everyone took cover. There was a

landing was known as ‘V’ beach;

space of about ten seconds between

from this part of the coast for about

the blowing of the horn and the arrival

three bays – ‘W’ beach, ‘X’ beach,

of the shell.

and ‘Y’ beach. Between ‘X’ beach

and ‘Y’ beach was another know as

We were new to this game and were

Gully beach. As is natural from the

forming up in fours when the horn

formation of the hills, beaches were

blew. Everyone carried on – then came

opposite ravines or gullies. Gully

the shell which exploded quite close

Beach was opposite Shrapnel Gully –

to us, blew us to the ground in the

the main artery of communication up

mud, but otherwise did no damage.

to the left of our line.

We had a four miles night march to a

On the Egyptian State Railway, a horn

place known as Ghurka Bluff, where

is used by shunters to warn people at

we went down a steep incline into

level crossings. I heard plenty of them

Shrapnel Gully. Shrapnel Gully had

at Port Said. But it was not in Egypt

much the same appearance when I

that I first heard such horns but almost

arrived as the Avon Gorge would have

immediately on landing at Helles.

if roads and railways were removed,

Johnny Turk had on the Asiatic side of

the bed of the river dried up till only a

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The Landings of the Gallipoli Campaign Photo Source: http://www.1914-1918.net

Page 127

food of mud remained, and dug-outs

Turks decided to attack on the day

carved out in every imaginable place

before the evacuation. My company

on the bare side. What is known as the

occupied the Fifth Avenue trenches up

Gully to Bristolians would correspond

to a day or so before the attack when

to a Gallipoli ravine running down

the Gloucesters were relieved by the

very steeply to the sea at the bottom.

North Staffords who were about three

times as numerous as we were.

There we had to accommodate

ourselves in empty dug-outs till the

The Gloucesters on being relieved

morning, so as I arrived with the

went into dug-outs in ‘Y’ ravine about

last party at 4 a.m. I had a nice time

1200 yards back from Fusilier Bluff.

climbing up and down the sides of the

Before I could settle down into any

gully looking for dug-outs and finding

place, in fact, before my company

none.

had come down (I had gone on

in advance), I had to start off on a

After a little time in the gully we

reconnaissance job for the Brigade.

relieved a Territorial unit at “Fusilier

Starting from Fusilier Bluff I had to take

Bluff” and “Fifth Avenue” They were

a party along the beach to ‘Y’ ravine,

Essex Yeomanry if I remember rightly.

time and journey and report on the

I believe they went to Egypt then. The

nature of the ground and general

French evacuated a fortnight before

practicability for moving troops there.

we did, the Royal Naval Division taking

The next night I had to carry on from

over their part of the line.

‘Y’ ravine to Gully Beach pier at the

bottom of Shrapnel Gully. That was

We had a choice bit at Fifth Avenue

rather an awkward job owing to the

where we were about 12 yards from

roughness of the route. Men carried

the enemy. It was along Fusilier

full packs, in fact, everything they

Bluff and Fifth Avenue that the

possessed.

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lasted longer but none so intense.

That was all I actually did in connection

Suddenly the shell fire ceased and we

with the evacuation, at all out of the

could hear a terrific crackle of rif le and

ordinary run things. There was a path

machine gun fire. This lasted for 25

on the opposite side of the ravine and

minutes and it was during that time that

this was marked out with sandbags

most of our casualties occurred. Our

and ran over the top of the hills down

men in replying to their fire showed

to a zig-zag path down the cliffs 400

their heads over the parapet and were

yards north of Gully Beach pier. This

almost certain to be hit. Then the rif le

was the path I myself actually went

stopped: the time had come for the

along in evacuating the place.

Turks to attack with the bayonet. Four

Turks got up out of their trenches and

Whether the Turks spotted these

were immediately shot. That damped

sandbags from aero-planes I don’t

their ardour, but down in the dip north

know, but I think they must have got

of Fusilier Bluff a German officer led

wind of our intended evacuation, for

about forty Turks out across the dip.

on the morning of the day previous

It was a hopeless job. He was one of

to that arranged for the manoeuvre,

the first to be shot down. That was all

a terrific bombardment commenced

that came of what the Turk, thinking

such as had not been known on the

our position weak, from the removal of

peninsula before. For five hours it was

the French and certain British troops,

raining shrapnel and high explosive

had intended to be a blow to drive the

in ‘Y’ ravine. It was very bad in the

remainder into the sea.

front line trenches. The queer thing

about it all was that there were very

I was the first of the Gloucesters to be

few casualties from shell fire. Men

sent up from ‘Y’ ravine. I took a party

who had been to France said they had

up the Mule Track with bombs and

known bombardments which had

ammunition. It was in a fearful state –

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all the cover blown down, telephone

I had returned for a second load the

wires lying over the ground, shell-

men had been removed from the

cases, a large unexploded 12in. shell

track – there were about four there

on the parapet – here a man dying,

when I went up. By night-time it had

there one wounded, and so on – rif les,

been cleared up and fatigue parties

equipment, packs, greatcoats, in fact,

of our battalion worked at putting up

all manner of kit lying round. Before

fresh cover. In Fifth Avenue, just as I

W Beach at Cape Helles, Gallipoli

Photo Source: http://www.museumsyndicate.com

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entered I came across three bodies

had occupied our bombing pit and all

one on top of the other. The bottom

movements were done very quietly. In

body was the mortal remains of Col.

the Fifth Avenue trenches one was not

Walker of the North Staffords.

allowed at any time to speak above

a whisper. On this last day coats

The Gloucesters relieved the Staffords

were spread about the bottom of the

very soon after the strafe and so

trenches and these stilled the noises

were the last to leave that part of the

of feet. The evacuation of these first

line. C Coy. Was in reserve in Trolley

line trenches had been going on all

Ravine where we had previously

day, certain parties being sent along

been for a couple of days. I went to

to join the remainder of the battalion

my old dug-out. My servant said

in Gully Ravine. At 7 p.m. the last

“There’s a man in there sir!” so I took

people left these trenches. I had to

another place. Next day we found he

wait at the top of ‘Y’ ravine till all had

was dead – in my dug-out!! Such is

passed down and then rejoin my C.O.

fortune – or Providence. My company

below. We led up by the path marked

commenced evacuation at 9 a.m. on

by sandbags of which I have spoken,

the 8th of January and went down the

passed one half of the Worcesters who

Mule Track into Shrapnel Gully. I was

had lost the other half and got on to

kept behind by the C.O. to act for all

the beach as I said 400 yards north of

practical purposes as his adjutant.

Gully Beach pier. We marched past

The adjutant went on early in the

this – over very rough rocky ground

day. All day the Turks sent over huge

the whole way past one beach to ‘W’

canister bombs about twenty inches

beach and sat there in mud and water

in length and cylindrical, the diameter

for no inconsiderable time writing to

being about three or four inches. They

embark. Wild rumours went round

were tremendously powerful and took

that the sea was too rough for us to

many lives. The Turks in the attack

go off, as it sometimes was, but about

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eleven o’clock we got on a lighter

safety as things turned out. My pack

and put out to sea for H.M.S. Mars, a

has not turned up to this day. Several

battleship reputed to be somewhere

Gloucester packs were blown into the

south of Cape Helles. On the way

sea. That’s the consolation we get.

our ‘beetle’ rammed another right

amidship but no damage was done.

We got on the ‘Mars’ about midnight;

We arrived at the ‘Mars’ and had a

about five in the morning I went

job getting alongside. A huge wooden

on deck and we were still off Cape

ladder was hung over the ship’s side

Helles. Flames were rising on the

and there we were with the lighter

beach – the stores which could not

rising and falling, now on the level

be evacuated were burning. Then the

of the ladder – now three or four feet

Turks started shelling. That’s what I

below. You had to take your chance

saw of the evacuation of Cape Helles,

and get on when the lighter was rising

and here I think I must close now with

and, when you were on, felt as unsafe

best wishes to you and the School.

as could be. The ladder seemed as if it was going to slip every minute, but it was firm enough no doubt.

I lost several things at Cape Helles.

On the day of the strafe we had orders to dump our packs as they would be evacuated by transport. I had my prismatic compass in mine and attached a pair of good gum boots to it. A pair of fisherman’s waders were there too and yet I could have carried it off myself with the utmost

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Teachers The Summer Term saw two more teachers leave due to military service: “Not only have we missed people who were with us last term, but in addition Mr. Burkitt and Mr. Caudwell, who commenced the term with us, have been called upon to take up duties with the Army. Their loss will be felt in School life, Mr. Burkitt especially among the scouts whom he has led for some years, and Mr. Caudwell in School cricket. We are sure that both carry with them the best wishes of the whole school.” Mr Burkitt began as an Artillery Cadet at Exeter as part of the 15th Gloucestershires, while Mr Caudwell went to the Curragh (a training centre for the Irish Army) as an Officer Cadet.

Monsieur Chicoteau In the Spring of 1916, Corporal Chicoteau was given three months leave and permission to recruit himself in England, apparently granted “after an experience which began in August, 1914”. By July, despite not being fully recovered, he had persuaded the doctors to let him return to the Front as an Interpreter for the British Army. By December we are simply told that he is an Interpreter “somewhere in France”.

Captain Lewis In the spring of 1916, after several months in command of a double company at the Front, Captain Lewis returned home on two months sick-leave due to heart trouble.

By the summer he still remaines only fit for Home Service, but we are told that he has been doing very useful work on the Plain. By December he is serving with the Reserve Gloucestershire Battalion.

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Mr Oakford Little is told of Mr Oakford in 1916, however we do know that he took a Swedish Drill Course in the Himalayas and thus was “continuing with success to see the greater part of India at the national charge”.

Mr Turner Mr Turner appears to have wasted no time in honing many of his skills, becoming “an expert in forming fours in whatever depth of mud”, through to becoming “far advanced with his training as an anti-aircraft gunner”. Apparently he is hoping to place a number of Zeppelins to his credit if they are still flying the following autumn.

British Anti-Aircraft gunners firing at a German Aircraft Photographed by William Ivor Castle, Library and Archives Canada

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Sidney Charles Garlick Sidney Charles Garlick was at the School from 1908 to 1911. He served in the King’s Royal Rifle Corps as a 2nd Lieutenant, and was sadly killed on 16th July 1916.

“He left the Grammar School and went on to Wyclif College, Stonehouse. He was developing a real gift for English poetry, and was looking forward to a bright career, such as his open vivid nature and gifts of mind promised, when the summons of war took him, and by hard fate he met his end almost immediately after reaching the firing line. The sympathy of all Old Boys goes out in free measure to their brother Old Boy, his father, and to Mrs Garlick who have thus in so brief a space lost two such sons in the very dawn of their promise.”

We are later told that Sidney died on the Somme. His older brother, Philip Mills Garlick, had died almost exactly a year previously after falling ill for only three days on a holiday in Weston. Both Philip and Sidney were 19 years old when they died, the former never having seen battle as he had only just sent in his papers for a temporary commission. The family lived on Tyndall Avenue, and their mother Mrs Garlick often held informal evening parties for many of the boys at the School, something which she carried on even after the death of both her sons. We are told that “as time passed her circle widened and her drawing-room became the meeting-place of those home on leave with friends in Bristol and boys at the School, while absent ones were kept in touch with and each other by her letters. Unfortunately Mrs Garlick passed away in Brighton on the 11th March, 1919.

Both sons were remembered by prizes donated in their names, for which their parents had given money. The Philip Garlick Memorial Prize began in 1916, and was awarded to the best debater; this prize is still awarded today. The Sidney Garlick Memorial Prize began in 1917, and was awarded for English Verse until the early 1980s.

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Dive Copse Military Cemetery, Sailly-le-Sec Photographed by Nicola Pearce, 2013

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Winners of the Sidney Garlick Prize 1917 1918 1919 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950

– K.M. Hancock – C. Huxtable – G.V. Jones – W.H. Shewring – W.H. Shewring – Not awarded – W.H. Shewring – L.C. Hector – L.C. Hector – S.A. Bryant – W.B. Yapp – K.J. Maidment – F.P. Hussey – S.R. Dunning – A.G. Thomas – K.J. Everingham – J. Ashmead – Not awarded – A.J.T. Jenkins – R.M. Catling – R.M. Catling – W.F. Raymond, J.A. Shaw – Not Awarded – R. McAdams – R. McAdams – C.S. Harvey – F.R.V. Macaulay – M.C. Boyes – D. Datta, E.F. Denbury, K.G. Piper – R.E. Klein & P. Salisbury – F.R.V. Macaulay – A.M. Davies & J.D. Hunt – Not awarded – B.S. Chappel

1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 J 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980

– J.L. Branch & A.J. Cozens – J.L. Branch – J.D. Hunt – G. Dudbridge, R.H. Hamlin, P.L. Steer – Not awarded – V.E. Watts – Not awarded – J.D. Chick – T.J. Clark – A.N. Boyd – C.N. Hall – R.C. Tucker – M.C. Beeching – No Record – No Record – No Record – P.A. Conway, B.K. Russell – M.R.I. Durham – B.D. Elford – Snr: M.G. Hook, D.M.J. O’Keefe, Jnr: D.M. Housham, J.F. Wong – Snr: N.C. Carn, M.G. Hook, D.M. Perry Jnr: J. Bennathan, S.J. Turley – Snr: R.J. Crow, M.G. Hook, R.A. Milton iJnr: S.A. Barrington – Snr: P. Harrison iJnr: A.N. Fray, J.N. Miller – S.J. Turley – J.M. Stanford – C.G. Allen, S.J. Turley – Not awarded – P.L. Wright – S.D. Miles – J.C. Bryant

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In the July 1916 School Chronicle, we are told that “it is hoped that a great many boys will find an opportunity to work upon the land during the course of the holidays.

As a beginning sixty are to go into camp in the neighbourhood of Yeovil to pull the flax harvest. It is a crop planted as an experiment by the National Development Commission, and may lead to the re-introduction of the flax industry into the country.

As the whole crop has to be pulled by hand, those who take part will be able to feel that the labour, however monotonous and tiring, is distinctly national service. Dr. Eyre the scientific adviser to the Flax-growing Committee, has already lectured to the pullers, but a full account of their much-looked-forward-to adventures must be waited for until the next Chronicle.”

The School issued a special twenty-page edition of the Chronicle, which included two photographs, with diaries of camp life and humorous prose and verse. A message was printed in the O.B.’s section of the December 1916 School Chronicle reporting that any Old Boy who wished to receive a copy of the special edition should send 6½d [around £2 today] to the O.B. Editor of the Chronicle at the School. However, this plea did not prove as successful as originally hoped, and as a result the April Chronicle in 1917 consisted of a rather irate message from the O.B. Editor:

“Last term we asked any O.B. interested in the war-work done by the School in harvesting flax last summer to invest sixpence in the special number of the Chronicle, where the story is told in prose and verse, not to mention photographs.

The total response to this amounts so far to ONE request for a copy. If all our reader’s money has gone into the War Loan, well and good: but we had hoped better things from that burning interest in “the old School” which is so often expressed in words.”

We can only assume that more requests followed as the matter was not brought up again. The following pages reproduce a large portion of the Flax Chronicle.

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The British Flax & Hemp Growers’ Society, Limited.

14 Victoria Street, Westminster, London, S. W. 8th September, 1916.

Dear Dr. Norwood,

I am writing on behalf of my Committee to express their warm thanks

to your School and, through you, to the boys who took part in the scheme, for their public spirited assistance in the harvesting of our Flax crop at Yeovil.

This arrangement, so readily made by your School with the Society,

was a clear instance of the carrying out of a suggestion made by the late President of the Board of Agriculture, Lord Selborne, by which the labour difficulties during the War might be solved. We think that we may regard the experiment as a successful one. As in this case the crop require pulling by hand, it naturally presented special difficulties, which only keenness and determination combined with the esprit de corps of a British Public School could have overcome.

We trust that the boys who, like yourself, took part in the work, will

look back with pleasure upon their practical contribution towards the revival of an important agricultural industry in the National interests.

Yours very truly, Alfred Wood Secretary.

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Notes The one event which marred the pleasure of the Camp was the accident which happened to Mr. Beames, when in cycling down to South Petherton he fell and fractured his arm. It certainly threw a shadow over the whole opening, and the one feeling of relief was that the accident did not inflict still more serious injury, as it might well have done. As it was, it meant for Mr. Beames that he was laid up for practically the greater part of the holidays. All are very glad that he has made so good a recovery, and grateful to him for his readiness to undertake the duties of Commandant in the Camp where he was much missed.

Very real thanks also are due to Mr. Bridge for undertaking to fill the vacant place almost at a moment’s notice. The duty of leading the flax-pullers was no sinecure, and by general consent Mr. Bridge would always be secure of employment in the flax industry at harvest time.

Volunteers working in the Flax fields Source: School Flax Chronicle October 1916

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Nor must we forget M. Guerra who was responsible for the whole of the supplies, and the preliminary arrangements, which meant a lot of work. It is certain that without his help the Camp could not have been held. And it is equally certain that without Sergeant the Camp could not have continued for very long. He had the hottest and most monotonous time of all: he will probably remember it all his life, and so shall we.

Much medical and surgical skill was displayed, so professional and some amateur.

Three stitches were the usual allowance: we saw one cut which was self-cobbled apparently with pack thread, but the owner is still alive. The medical treatment may perhaps best be alluded to in the following verses which those who were there will understand perhaps.

There was once a physician I knew, Who always prescribed Hazel Dew, For he said ‘Twill give ease, Whate’er the disease, For it’s always a drug as’ll do.

That so much pleasurable bathing was possible is due to George and Parsons, the ‘Life-savers’. They deserve and receive by acclamation a special vote of thanks.

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Flax-Pulling Camp Account The appeal for schoolboys to spend a portion of their holidays at work ‘on the land’, which met with so splendid a response throughout the country, did not find the School wanting in any way, and towards the end of July 60 volunteers, chosen from the older boys, journeyed down to South Petherton, in Somerset, to assist in the harvesting of the Flax crop.

It would have been impossible to find pleasanter surroundings than those in which the Camp was pitched. With some of Somerset’s finest scenery as a setting it was small wonder that the Camp appeared a veritable haven of repose to the 50 or more tired and dusty cyclists who arrived on the evening of Friday, July 21st. The news of Mr. Beames’ accident whilst cycling down momentarily damped out spirits, which however, rose again upon hearing that Mr. Bridge was coming down as a substitute.

After sleeping extraordinarily well on our first night in Camp we were initiated in the mysteries of Flax-pulling by sundry stray Belgians, whom we later learned to partial to ‘precept’ though averse to ‘example’.

The pulling of the Flax was hard, very hard indeed, and though we had been previously warned that we had come on no picnic, no one had imagined that Flax-pulling could possibly be as deadly dull and as tiring as it turned out to be. Throughout our stay we could never get up any affection for the work or even accustom ourselves to it.

Towards the end of the first week we thought, not infrequently, of the opportunities the Government was missing for the suitable employment of German prisoners! Towards the end of the second there was not a back in the Camp which did not ache, not a pair of hands but were cramped and stiff. At the end of our stay we came to the conclusion that the lot of the farm labourer was not as easy as it seemed!

All the discomforts caused by the Flax-pulling however were forgotten when we foregathered at the Camp in the evening. The acture sense of depression which seemed to attend everything connected in any way with flax, vanished as if by magic as soon as the Camp hove in sight. Whether it was that we felt we deserved our

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few hours of leisure or whether the thought or earning real money gave rise to such general satisfaction is immaterial, the point is that the Camp part of the expedition was an unqualified success. The arrangements for our comfort work smoothly, the weather was ideal, and things went very well indeed with us. Humour was infectious, and to listen to various interpretations of the Somerset dialect was a treat in itself. It was this prevalence of high spirits which carried us through the many dull hours in the fields; this, in addition to the knowledge that our leader was sharing our discomforts and was himself working with us all day. During the second week Mrs. Norwood came to stay in the village, and daily graced the Camp with her presence. Words cannot thank her for the kindly thought prompting her untiring and eminently successful efforts on our behalf. The Headmaster led us as no one else could have led us, and the fact that ere leaving we had pulled well over 30 acres is a splendid tribute to the influence of his example. M. Guerra, as Commissariat Officer, had a difficult task, and our thanks are due to him for the way in which he accomplished it, as well as for

Cartoon concering the Flax harvest School Chronicle July 1916

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his inimitable humour which kept us amazed when all else failed. Sergeant was – well, just Sergeant – thoroughly successful in all he undertook, even though it meant the conversion of horse-flesh into edible matter! Mr. Bridge, in his short stay, endeared himself to all, and we parted with him with regret. No account of the Camp would be complete without mention of a small historical pageant depicting the landing of King Alfred in the market-place of South Petherton. The scene was well enacted and drew a surprising number of spectators – several notorious frequenters of the Billiard Rooms turning out to see Alfie don his shrapnel helmet. The pageant at an end, King Alfred and his escort went abroad their bikes and sailed back to Camp, there to be refreshed with frequent draughts of Aszal Dhu – a famous Continental drink compounded from the stems of Arax and Nessels.

After almost three weeks in the Flax-fields we held a farewell Sing-Song and Supper on Tuesday, August 8th, and in the grand old words of ‘Auld Lang Syne’ and in the joining of hands, not a few of us found sympathy and strength, sympathy in leaving the School we have loved so well, and strength for the struggle to come.

L. H. B.

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Fragment of a Diary Friday – Started at nine o’clock to ride on my bicycle to South Petherton. Two miles out of Bristol I got the biggest puncture I have had for years. A needle had got into my tyre and ripped two inches of inner tube each side. The air dribbled out roung the patch all the way, and we had to stop and pump about every two hours. Passed through Wells at about half-past twelve, and got to Petherton at about three without any further mishap. Presently other cyclists came dribbling in, and we heard that one of the masters had broken his wrist. We had a simply stunning bathe. Two chaps nearly drowned themselves. After tea we went to inspect the haven of our hearts’ desire (Flax-fields). Returned considerably overawed.

Saturday, 6.45 a.m. – Revillé and bathe before brekker. 8 a.m. – Work beings in earnest in a field about a quarter of a mile from the Camp. After two hours work and with a steep slope in front of you, a Flax-field shows such little progress that on gets quite disheartened. At about 12 people start looking anxiously at their watches, longing for one o’clock. Talk about backaches – we all looked like advertisements for “Every picture tells a story”. The sun mops up every little scrap of moisture; your togs stick to you, and the perspiration fairly pours off. We knocked off at one, but we had to wait till three for sinner as the meat had not come. Who sees to the meat anyway.

Sunday, 7 a.m. – Reveillé quarter of an hour late, because to-day is a day of rest. Great excitement in our tent last night. Woke up about two in the morning to hear someone cursing and muttering “Where are my pyjamas, where are my pyjamas?” (crescendo).

I struck a light, and there was one of our chaps crawling round and round the tentpole, fast asleep but with nothing on, apparently looking for his pyjamas. Although he was highly successful in waking us all up, he did not wake himself, and finding and putting on his pyjamas, would habe gone to sleep again, if we had let him. Went to church in the morning, and in the afternoon another chap and I went up Hamdon Hill, near Montacute. This used to be a Roman Camp, and in the side of a quarry there we found quite a lot of Roman pottery.

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Monday, 6.45 a.m. – Such a funny dream least night. I dreamt that the head had sent me my report, and his remarks at the bottom were: “Won’t do as a Roman Legionary or a professional footballer, but should do well as a lawyer”. Working in flax like this is no joke without gloves, and I have lost mine. Flax, flax everywhere, but this is mostly thistlerse. It is far too hot to work, really. It gets quite stifling to breathe, with a heavy leaden sky overhead and the sun pouring down, absolutely not a breath of air moving anywhere. All the birds have stopped singing except the yellow hammer. I thinkI shall get the sunstroke and go on orderly duty, “where the wicked cease from troubling and the weary are at rest”. But I suppose thus blighted field must be finished. 5.30 – Field finished this afternoon. Great scheme. We cut pathways through the flax, turning it into islands, which about forty of us set into at the same time. My sainted aunt, but those islands did fly; we did them to the tune of “One more river to cross”/ Went to bathe this evening as usual, but some were later than others, and where we had got back to Camp, a chap came panting in on his bike, saying some village louts were plugging clods at out fellows and would not let them out of the water. In uder three minutes the whole crowd of us were back again. They were a weedy type of chaps, you know the sort. Tiepins and canes. What, What? Too young to join the Army and too old to be called kids. They never did it again. They said we had done them out of a job, but we knew better and the farmers were jolly glad. They brought us cider, but someone pinched it, and said afterwards it had been condensed milk, I don’t think?

This is surely a good example of a number of schoolboys “doing their bit” and enjoying it at the same time. Returning with a feeling of importance and satisfaction at having done a small service for their country.

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Another Diary of Camp Life In the following paragraphs the author’s idea is not so much religiously to chronicle every single happening, but, rather, to deal with those incidents – and they were many – which served to give “atmosphere” to the Camp.

The night of our arrival, and incidentally for many of us our first night under canvas, was characterised by a light-headedness which brooked no interference, nor would be held responsible for any consequences. For instance, the Camp was staggered to learn (shortly after 11p.m.) that a notable colleague of mine was not arguing, but was simply stating facts. Naturally such intelligence was startling, and the prevailing gloom was not to be dispelled b the mystic utterance “half-way up the pipe”. Then, again, a youthful occupant of No. 3 – Hutching’s tent, but that is of course a mere coincidence – took the liberty of proposing to the tent pole. This last object proved singularly unresponsive, and Ev-ns, for it was no less, sought to atone by making a slighting reference to the No-Treating Order, and the fellow occupants of the tent

Flax volunteers, Yeovil 1916 Flax Chronicle 1916

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breather sighs of relief when he thanks his commander for “the only glass left”.

For the remainder of the week flax-pulling and the consumption of numerous “poptofjamz” – a dish finding favour in the very highest circles when taken in conjunction with sardines, so we are told – engrossed our attention so much that we could not lend our support to the Flag Day for Disabled Seamen. Any evening, however, one might, in any and every tent, perceive at least one individual engaged in a minute examination (or cross examination) of his blankets. From time to time a grunt of satisfaction would announce success and would be followed by some such remark as “that’s the one C-rt-s chased last night”. Then , too, there was the everinteresting but surreptitious use of dish-cloth at table by a noteworthy member of No. 5.

Towards the end of the second week just as interest was beginning to flag a tragic episode occurred, and may best be described as follows:8 p.m. Curtis drowned.

8.10 p.m. Curtis not drowned. Fierce argument with rescuers.

In the same week too there was the memorable arrival of Hickson’s letter. This caused a great stir as did also the rumoured “calling-up” of married men.

A tendency to use a bread-cutting machine produced a score of accidents, and the indiscriminate use of “Potofjamz” as a missile did no one any good. Our casualties were well treated however, and after the application of Aszal-Dhu and the insertion of three stitches our wounded made rapid recovery. (In fact one poor fellow got well too soon and was “combed-out” of the fatigue party, which was very bad luck indeed).

When we consider that from time to time Weare performed on a bicycle we got off very lightly indeed in the way of mishaps.

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For some little time after the events chronicles in the last chapter nothing of note occurred other than the disorderly behaviour of some residents of No. 1 known as “The Old Firm” (their password was “Lamb’urt”). There was too a very slight difference of opinion over the local sense of humour, and though one yokel expressed his entire willingness to fight anybody and anything (calling a spade a spade the while, of course) this same lad showed singular reluctance to make a start.

Of the Great Rag while “happened” on the night of August 5th the reader will learn elsewhere. It has now been proved conclusively that Mr. Winston Churchill – or whoever it was – obtained his original ideas on “Tanks” from watching the combination of Lambert and Kinsey as a means of offence.

Of our last night under canvas too much could not be written, though too much might be “said”. The proceedings received an official nuance through a case of mistaken identity which resulted in the temporary promotion of the author to the position of Headmaster (I quite failed to see why thus cause such unrestrained merriment).

Through the generosity of some of M. Guerra’s friends we were regaled by a sumptuous repast accompanied by the customary speeches. After the Headmaster had returned thanks on our behalf one of our hosts made a tasteful little reference to the “saviours of South Somerset”. A wealth of natural gesture combined with a certain direct impressiveness made our host’s speech a very entertaining one indeed. Our remaining host then rose (as if by common consent) and added his quota to the praise already bestowed. He, too, spoke with great eloquence, and though redundancy and a constant murmuring (in which the word “horse” figured largely) at one end of the table, detracted a little from his speech, it was nevertheless a great effort, and afforded a fitting climax to a successful camp.

In the above sketches I have done my best to convey to the reader an idea of the humour of Camp-life. If I have unwittingly offended anyone by too personal a reference to him, I beg his pardon and ask that the sun may not go down upon his wrath.

L.H.B.

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The Song of the Flax (The reader will imagine that at each rhyme he is pulling a new handful) Flax! Flax!

This is the song of the Flax!

Blistered cracks, and aching backs, And a feeling that grows remarkably lax, As we pull the flax, In stacks and stacks, This is the song of the Flax!

Flax! Flax!

This is the song of the Flax!

It isn’t a joke when the heat’s at its maximum, Pulling’s a horrible tax, But not half such a tax, As the local tin-tacks In swacks and swacks On the local tracks That turn all the bikes into broken-down hacks, This is the song of the Flax!

Flax! Flax!

This is the song of the Flax!

For you go on for ever just bending your backs, And there ain’t any rests, and there ain’t any slacks: But you bet your last coin, when we homeward make tracts, That for all of us here there’ll be no coming-backs.

To the flax, to the flax, So good-bye and Pax To the flax, And Amen to the song of the Flax!

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Officer Training Corps 1915 saw the OTC increase in numbers until it consisted of 3 platoons and around 200 members, a state of affairs which continued throughout 1916. The night operations also continued during 1916 meaning that “the valley of the Trym is now known to all, and the banks and even the bed of the river to some”. Apparently “on no two occasions have conditions been quite the same, for what was visible on one night was invisible on another, the darkness ranging in most uncanny fashion”. When not on night operations, most of the OTC’s time was spent on Company Drill, skirmishing, attack, defence, advance and rear-guards, as well as outpost-duty. Some appear to have taken more naturally to their duties than others, as “a few [students], somewhat nervous and possessed of shrill, piping voices, fail to produce the desired effect”.

At the end of the Summer Term “three most interesting photographs were taken – (1) the whole Corps, (2) Officers and N.C.O.s, (3) the Band. These should prove to be valuable mementoes in the years to come.” The latter has been reproduced in the previous chapter of this book, whilst the first two are shown over the next few pages.

The band appears to be showing continuous improvement, much to the delight of all involved. During 1916 they have managed to add a number of new tunes to its repertoire, as well as significantly increasing the volume of sound produced.

“The band continues to attract attention and admiration, especially since the eventful day when for the first time the Drum-Major appeared in the splendour of his elegant leopard skin. The time kept is more in harmony with the comfort and convenience of those who are following... with the result that the Column that follows is no longer compelled to hasten unduly uphill or to restrain the pace when descending. The greatest attraction at present is the “Marseillaise”: it is usually played on the way back to Headquarters, and so thrills the hearers that huge crowds either stand spellbound, or, if they are children, gather round the band and actually impede the progress of the Corps.”

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OTC - Officers and NCOs, 1916

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Stanley Charles Booker Stanley Charles Booker was at the School from 1903 to 1912. He served in the Worcestershire Regiment 2nd/7th Bn as a Lieutenant, and was sadly killed on 10th October 1916. He is buried in St. Vaast Post Military Cemetery. He was awarded the Military Cross on 22nd September 1916..

Booker in Uniform, 1915

The Booker Memorial, Bristol Grammar School Great Hall

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The Booker Memorial, Bristol Grammar School Great Hall

“He left from the VIth Classical and won the Bristol Scholarship at St John’s College, Oxford. In 1914 he came near a First Class in Classical Moderations, and joined in the ranks at the outset of the war. Later he received a commission, and the heroism and self-sacrifice by which he gained the Military Cross are recorded below. He was of great ability, the hardest of workers, and the simplest of natures. ‘Greater love hath no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friend.’

Lieut S.C. Booker, Worcester Regt., won the Military Cross for conspicuous gallantry.

Assisted by another officer and two men, he brought in fourteen wounded men from ‘No Man’s Land’ under heavy fire. Next day with two men, he brought in a wounded officer from within thirty yards of the enemy’s parapet. He was searching for a brother Old Boy, Second-Lieut. W.J. Langford, whom alas! he did not find, and he has now fallen when engaged on a similar errand on mercy, betrayed by the moon when within close range of the German trenches.” [Langford is reported as dying 19th July 1916]

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Booker is most well-known for his letters sent from the Front. A large collection of these were reproduced in the book ‘Dear Mother’ edited by Barry Williamson.

Booker’s medals are on display in the Great Hall, to the right of the memorial screens.

Booker’s Original Grave, St. Vaast Post Military Cemetery The Archive Department, Bristol Grammar School

Booker’s Grave, St. Vaast Post Military Cemetery Photographed by Nicola Pearce, 2013

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St. Vaast Post Military Cemetery Photographed by Nicola Pearce, 2013

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Scouts School Chronicle July 1916 “Our Scoutmaster, Mr. Burkitt, has for a time left us, called to the colours. We wish him all good luck and a speedy return. We must all try to work hard so that when he comes back he may find the troop larger and as efficient as it is now.

The Saturday games have taken place as usual, and some of them were most successful – notably the joint game we had with the Brislington Troop who turned out in full numbers preceded by their bugle band. We also had two Church Parades; the Blind Asylum in Henleaze Road having asked us to attend one of their services. On Empire Day the Troop took part in a route-march which attracted a lot of attention.

About 22 Scouts one Saturday went for a bicycle trip to Old Passage where a big fire was lit and tea prepared. Unanimously it was declared no better tea could be obtained anywhere. On the return journey one of the cyclists tried a rather exciting experiment which was to prove a Scout’s skin was harder than a dusty road. The result was not conclusive.

The Troop is going to have again a Summer Camp – this time at Compton Dando from the 10th to the 25th August. It is only at these camps that real scouting can be learnt, and it is hoped the number of boys who will avail themselves of them will grow larger every year.

The Troop Band deserves a special mention, as the “musicians” have always played their marches well up to expectation; indeed, they seem in better form each time they go out. They should be congratulated for their regular attendance at the practices.

We are all looking forward to the visit of the Chief Scout on July 22nd, when there is to be a combined Rally of all Bristol Scouts at Ashton Court.”

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School Chronicle December 1916 “This term has seen several changes, for many boys have left the Troop to enter the Cadet Corps and many new boys have filled up their places. The record has been broken, and the Troop numbers now 78 Scouts – a figure which had not previously been reached.

We have also been engaged in “war work” for a Committee formed to help the Belgians, and the boys have been found very useful.

Owing to alterations in the School hours the Signalling Class has been stopped, but only for the time, and we hope Mr. Dicker will take it on again as soon as possible.

At the end of last term, the Chief Scout paid a visit to the Bristol Scouts, and this visit was looked forward to with great interest by the Troop. The great rally of all the Bristol Scouts was held in the park of Ashton Court, and every Troop gave a display. We did Physical Drill and Trek Cart Drill, and several extra rallies and drills were necessary before we felt ready for the great day. We did the journey to Ashton Avenue in great style in a special tram, having taken the trek-cart and other accessories on the previous evening. It was a blazing hot day and Physical Drill was rather exhausting in such weather, but we stuck to it in the proper scouting spirit. All felt very disappointed that the Chief Scout did not himself come round to inspect our show, but he only had time to visit a few, and we were not one of the lucky Troops. However, we seemed to interest a fair number of the visitors, and we were surprised and very glad to hear afterwards from the Acting-Commissioner that Lady Baden-Powell had been watching us without our knowledge and had taken great interest in our ‘performance’.”

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Scout Camp April 1916 The camp took place as a School

victory. He also proved very greedy

camp. The Scouts’ uniform was

at the Camp Sports, where he took

therefore not worn, and the green

most of the prizes. On the occasion

shirt was replaced by a white sweater,

of our last visit to Chew Magna, we

and here we must thank the Scouts’

were not overwhelmed with pleasure

organisation for their action, as this

at receiving a visit from some cows

change of uniform proved most useful;

to our stores. This time, these friends

the weather having been anything

caused no annoyance, but a dog

but warm. One morning, not only did

seemed to appreciate the superior

we find the water frozen but also the

quality of our food, and it is rumoured

milk. Talking about the weather, we

that an exciting combat took place in

may mention that we experienced

the middle of the night between one of

every sample of the English climate –

the campers, armed with tent mallets,

ice, white frost, tropical sun, blinding

wickets and sundry camp furniture,

lightning, deafening thunder, hail, and

and the unwelcome intruder.

rain, to say nothing of a gale, which tore our f lag to ribbons, made combs

During the tropical weather above

useless, but failed to uproot our tents,

mentioned, certain valiant Bristolians

owing to our hard labour and skilful

took a swim in the Chew, the “ole

handling. We had a very pleasant

man” standing on the bank with

walk to Dundry Hill and two or three

various long poles – the use of which

pleasant bicycle trips. The camp

is still to be explained. One of the

was divided into two houses, which

most remarkable features of the camp

caused some very keen competition

is the “silence” which immediately

in football matches. A three-mile

follows “lights-out”, sounded upon an

race proved very interesting, and we

extraordinary instrument called, out

congratulate Ewens on his brilliant

of politeness, a bugle. We had many

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visitors, amongst whom were Mr.

barns (for stores only. Oh, no, we did

and Mrs. Love who kindle brought

not sleep in barns), and for making us

prizes for the Sports, and Mr. Hadley,

so much at home.

to whom we are grateful for our water supply (the enormous barrels marked “Georges” only containing aqua simplex). We should also like to thank one of our senior boys, who kindly, at a moment’s notice, came to help Mr. Guerra, whose genial enthusiasm greatly helped to keep the camp in high spirits.

Last but certainly not the least, our warmest thanks are due to Mr. Guerra who organised and managed the camp so well. We shall not soon forget the lonely figure out on the frozen waste, lighting the fire for breakfast, to the accompaniment of certain voices singing “Keep the Home Fires Burning”.

Mr. Hassell, upon whose farm we camped, knows our friendly feeling all towards him, but it is with great pleasure that we thank him again for so kindly letting us use his field and

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War News School Chronicle April 1916 With this number appears a supplement showing a complete list of the Old Boys who are serving, so far as they are authoritatively known. It will be seen that the School is or has been represented in every campaign, and even at Kiao-Chau there was present sub-lieutenant F.W. Lane sering in H.M.S. “Triumph”. But no one knows better than the Headmaster who has compiled it how far from complete it is. The population of Bristol is far from permanent: the addresses of Old Boys of the nineties are seldom the same to-day, and unless all Old Boys who see this List communicate with the School any additional information which they possess it cannot attain correctness or exhaustiveness.

School Chronicle July 1916 Since the last Chronicle appeared at the beginning of this term there has been everywhere a period of preparation and seeming lull. Yet Old Boys have been active everywhere wherever the forces of the Empire are serving. The letter from A.L. Watkins which appears elsewhere will show that one of them saw the end of the Dardanelles Expedition, and, let us hope, the beginning of a new chapter on the Euphrates. In another continent W.J. Beswetherick writes to say that he unintentionally put into his haversack a band of the Old Boys’ colours, and intends to carry them right through the campaign which will place the Germans finally outside East Africa. [Beswetherick died from malaria not long after this Chronicle was published. He is buried in Nairobi South Cemetery in Africa.]

On the Western front in the Royal Flying Corps are to be found Second-Lieutenant R.B. Mansell and J.W. Gunton, and at times both are to be found in the same aeroplane, one as pilot, and one as observer: it is not known whether they have called it the “Robert Thorne” or how many Fokkers [a make of German plane] they have placed to

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Arras Memorial, Faubourg-d’Amiens Cemetery Photographed by Nicola Pearce, 2013

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their credit, but good luck and steady nerves be with them. [R.B. Mansell survived the war but unfortunately J.W. Gunton was reported as missing after his plane was shot down in August 1916: ‘His machine was seen to dive steeply after an enemy, when two parts fell off, and the dive became vertical in an uncontrolled fall of 6,000 feet’.

He was later presumed dead at only 20 years old: ‘His cheerfulness and keenness was unfailing. Warfare was contrary to his whole nature, but he never grumbled at the task which duty laid upon him. Good humour never forsook him, and he was liked by all.’ – December 1916. He is remembered on the Arras Flying Services Memorial in France.

Captain G.C. Machon [who survived the war], happily recovered from two wounds, and from sickness, writes from the last outpost of Egypt on the West on the Mediterranean shore: he speaks of excellent bathing, deep water, and sharks, of the Senussi; moreover, most of them would now sell their souls for a tin of “bully”.

Captain E.W.B. Gill [who survived the War], who does not write, after doing excellent and original work in the Wireless Service at home is known to have succeeded in getting abroad without this time catching German measles, and is now in charge “somewhere” where the Apostle Paul is believed to have been a previous visitor and correspondent.

There are other Old Boys in Russia serving with the Motor Transport, so that the School is indeed worthily represented in all parts.

Special sympathy is due to A.S. Martin of the Canadian Mounted Rifles, and W.A.C. MacMillan of the Cameron Highlanders who have been taken prisoners. [Both survived the War]

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Cyril Norwood Leaves

“One subject, however, puts all the others in the shade – our Headmaster is leaving us. The Editor will make no endeavour to tabulate those virtues of Dr. Norwood, which make his departure in the near future so regrettable. To the School he is and always will be just himself. When his personality and influence are to be withdrawn, they are appreciated at their true worth. Their effect on the School is obvious, and even if it was not, a visit to the buildings at Tyndall’s Park would remove any doubt. But why talk longer? Words cannot express the causes of the School’s appreciation of its present Head of sorrow in losing him.”

School Chronicle December 1916

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Cyril Norwood, 1916

School Chronicle December 1916

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Farewell Letter To all the boys in the School, It is not an easy thing to say good-bye, and to leave the many friendly faces of a School where so much has been planned and successfully accomplished during the last ten years. But no one is indispensable, and it is a comfort to think, as there is every reason for thinking, that good as the past days have been there are better days still in store for the School.

What has been done could not have been done if far the greater part of boys of each school generation has not supported me with all their heats. For in the end you boys yourselves make the School and shape it to good and to evil.

It is what it is because of the loyalty of boys past, of whom not a few have shown themselves loyal to death on a greater field, and it will be what you, the boys of the present, make it.

I ask you each to remember that the School is something greater than yourself, from which you must you must not only expect much but to which you must give much, no less than the best that is in you, that in the School you are all members of one another so that the good which you do and the evil which you do are all fruitful, and that you are growing up to take your place in a world in which you will have to know more and to work harder than was thought necessary in the too comfortable days before the War. Learn at school not only to benefit yourselves but to help each other: be to one another as brothers and servants. For, if you learn that lesson, you will carry out into life that spirit of fellowship and sacrifice of which both God’s cause and your country’s service stand in need to-day, that spirit which must be sown in more

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abundant measure, if the blood poured out in this war is not to have been shed in vain.

Need I say that in going I do not lose my love for the School, nor my pride in it, nor my friendship for you all? If at any time any of you has need of help that I can give, do not forget that it will be a sufficient claim upon me that you were a boy of my time.

With every good wish to you and to our School.

Cyril Norwood.

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Bibliography Dr. Norwood arrived at the School in 1906 and left after 10 years of service to go to Marlborough School, where he remained headmaster until 1925. The loss hit the School hard as is evidenced in the many Chronicle tributes to him. During his time the size of the School had increased dramatically with the number of boys rising from 176 to 500, and the number of school buildings doubling. He also introduced the House system, replacing the Division system, which was previously in place.

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A Homage, by Mr. Beames Ten years ago when Dr. Norwood came to the Grammar School as Headmaster the country was awakening from a period of comparative apathy in education, during which the School had diminished in numbers both of pupils and masters and had suffered financially. There was a stir of new life. A new Board of Governors had been formed, and the School had been recognised by the Board of Education with a consequent increase of income. It was a time when changes were welcomed and an energetic Headmaster might do much, as well as being a time when it was easy to go wrong and to do untold mischief. It was the good fortune of the School to secure Dr. Norwood as its head. He came to us skilled in negotiating with educational bodies of every kind. On leaving Oxford he had entered the Civil Service as one of its most brilliant members, and thus brought us the priceless advantage of his knowledge of the ways of Government bodies, helping the School to pass safely through all the difficulties of meeting the numerous demands of the Board of Education. He soon became recognised in Bristol as one of its best leaders in educational matters, being honoured by the new University with the honorary degree of Doctor of Literature. In finance, he also showed his skill by reducing the debt on the School and enriching it.

The existing buildings were fast growing too small to accommodate to the generosity of the friends of the School, and such was the magic of his name that he did not appeal in vain. A room for Manual Training, two large new wings containing spacious Laboratories and Art Room, a Gymnasium, a miniature Rifle Range, Fives Courts, Bicycle Sheds, and Lavatories were given by generous donors one after the other.

The School became twice its size. The Great Hall, class rooms, and passages were cleaned and adorned with pictures. The Library increased till there were three wellstocked departments – literary, mathematical, and scientific, as well as a large lending library for the juniors.

The School also was reorganised. The Divisions were replaced by Houses each under a House Master, whereby the games were much improved, and the Old Boys showed their appreciation by presenting the School with a new pavilion. Another generous donor followed with a large playing field and handsome pavilion at Horfield.

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The energy and enthusiasm of the boys was stimulated by training the Prefects to exercise authority and educating the young boys to become accustomed to habits of responsibility as form monitors.

Another notable reform was carried out – Impositions were abolished; a method of punishment for which little could be said, but one so firmly rooted in the educational system of our country that it seemed impossible to remove, passed quietly away under the wise rule of Dr. Norwood to the great relief of both boys and masters.

Merit was rewarded by a system of signed papers and merit half-holidays. The cooperation of parents was enlisted by sending them fortnightly mark cards as well as noticed of punishments. The happy atmosphere of the School is shown by the expansion of the School Club into a variety of clubs among both the elder and junior boys, whose meetings are well attended, and to which parents with their friends are often invited. The activity and life of the School extends outside. The Children’s Hospital has been enriched with one cot after another, and the wounded have been supplied with crutches, bed-tables, bed-rests, and other articles. Sixty boys spent part of their holidays showing how flax ought to be harvested under a broiling sun.

The fame of the School has gone beyond Bristol as our rapidly increasing honour boards can testify. The Corps has grown into a notable body under the captaincy of Dr. Norwood, furnishing many a gallant officer and noble hero to the army during the Great War. The Troop of Boy Scouts – the largest in Bristol – has done its share of war work, acting as hospital orderlies, and wherever they were wanted.

All this is due to Dr. Norwood. The ready response to the call of duty, the life and enthusiasm of the whole School is the outcome of his personality. It is not due to what he has done. It is the man himself. No one has worked for the School or shown any enthusiasm without feeling sure of his whole-hearted support. He has never called on anyone to do something without working as hard himself. He possesses an unruffled temper. No amount of petty annoyance perturbs him. He is always accessible both to the master with his problems of School management and to the little boy who has lost his mother’s umbrella. How often has he been seen, after a long and tiring

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morning, standing in the entrance hall with a string of people waiting to speak to him?

To each one he listens patiently and gives his whole attention, taking as much trouble with the frivolous questioner as with the most important. He has always given us one his best, winning our respect and our love. It lies with us when he is gone to carry on the grand tradition he has bequeathed to the Bristol Grammar School.

F. B.

Staff Farewell On Saturday morning, November 25th, after school, Dr. and Mrs. Norwood met the staff in the Art Room. Mr. Beames speaking on behalf of the Staff as well as of those now absent on military service, presented the Headmaster and Mrs. Norwood with a box containing plate as a memento of the cordial relations that had always existed between them. Dr. Norwood briefly returned thanks and Mrs. Norwood also expressed her appreciation of the present. The plate consisted of a set of dessert knives and forks for the table. The subscribers consisted of the present Staff, those absent of military service, the acting masters, and the School porters.

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Pupil Farewell When the School desired to express in some tangible form its appreciation of Dr. Norwood’s work and its regret at his and Mrs. Norwood’s departure, the inevitable little bird whispered that a certain Chippendale writing table reposing at the abode of Mr. Mogg was ‘just the thing’ for Dr. Norwood; so negotiations were taken up assiduously and we were promised the table at a bargain – apparently from sheer love of the School, because someone in London had offered double the amount.

The last morning of the term was an anxious one. The table was placed safely in the Great Hall in front of the Headmaster’s desk only an hour-and-a-half behind time.

About the same time a silver travelling clock, with Mrs. Norwood’s initials engraved on it, was rescued and brought to the School.

At 11 o’clock the School assembled, and the Head and Mrs. Norwood entered. After the breaking-up hymn, Warr presented the table – with a graceful and comprehensive wave of the hand – to the Head; and the travelling clock to Mrs. Norwood, saying that it was a small way of expressing the gratitude which the whole School felt to them. In the name of the School he thanked them for their great services and kindness towards the boys, which they would never forget. He wished them he best of happiness and prosperity at Marlborough, and hoped they would come and visit the School again.

Dr. Norwood, replying for himself and Mrs. Norwood, thanked the School heartily for their gifts, and said that though he would be at Marlborough, he would be always willing to help any boy to his utmost; he hoped they would all consider him their firm friend in the future as in the past. He has enjoyed his years of Headmaster at Bristol immensely, and he was proud of the School. He had not fears for the future: if the School played up in the future as well as they had played up under him, they would reach even greater heights. His last message to each boy was: In everything give your best, and do your best, in work, in games, and in all School activities, and you need have no fears for your own future or for that of the School.

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The Head and Mrs. Norwood then shook hands with every boy, and each boy received a photograph of Dr. Norwood. The School song was sung, and three hearty cheers were given as they left the Hall. Then we witnessed a most remarkable thing: 500 boys tried at once to enter the Head’s room in order to have their photographs signed.

A slight congestion ensued. Moreover the proverbial writing of the Head suffered a considerable strain, and its reputation was greatly enhanced. To add the finishing touch to the morning a solemn deputation handed over to Mrs. Norwood the one and original bottle of Ayzal Dhu (a valuable drug, a panacea for all ills a schoolboy in camp is heir to, also a magic charm, discovered in Somerset between the site of King Ina’s palace and the Roman encampment on Ham Hill near Montacute – Ed), which she as solemnly promised to keep for ever and ever as her greatest treasure. And so we said ‘good-bye’ to Dr. and Mrs. Norwood.

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The Arrival of Joseph Barton

“He brings with him the reputation of being not only a successful schoolmaster, but also a fine critic in art and literature and a brilliant writer. He is a man of broad sympathies and of much experience, and all the sides of the school life should be safe in his hands. May he be as successful in Bristol as he has been elsewhere, and may the School under his guidance flourish exceedingly!�

Joesph Edwin Barton, Headmaster School Chronicle April 1917

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Bibliography On Saturday, October 21st, the Governors appointed to the Headmastership Mr. Joseph Edwin Barton, Headmaster of the Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Wakefield. Mr. Barton was educated at the Crypt Grammar School, Gloucester; from which he won in 1894 an open Classical Scholarship at Pembroke College, Oxford. There his career was distinguished. He took a First Class in Moderations in 1896, a First Class in Literae Humaniores in 1898, and he won the Newdigate Prize for English Verse. Until 1906 he was the Sixth Form Master at Bradford Grammar School at a time when that school won many classical successes. From then ‘til 1910 he was Headmaster of the Crypt Grammar School at Gloucester, and he was then appointed to the Headmastership of Wakefield.

School Chronicle Editorial, December 1916 But however greatly the School may feel the loss of its present Head, it is unanimous in its opinion that from the School’s point of view, as well as those to whom it was entrusted to find his successor, the new Head will be ideal. It was clear that the encouragement and support, to which the success of the social side of School life was so largely due, would be continued, and the interest which he took in the games and the corps during his visit made it certain that when he came to us for good, he would come into very close touch with the games as well as with the military training of the boys. It will be doubtless of interest to the School in general that Wakefield is essentially a Rugby Football School as is out own, so that in the future the fine tradition which our present Head has done so much to create and enlarge may be carried on to even greater heights.

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Deceased The first loss of 1916 was Leslie Raymond Talbot Gilbert, and with him the number of deceased O.B.s reached double figures. Attempting to put this into the bigger picture, the Chronicle notes that “in comparison with the casualties suffered by many the School may well count itself fortunate, since a very large number of those serving have been in the firing line, and the price paid, however great in itself, is small to what it might have been”.

In the April 1916 School Chronicle, it is reported that “the last three months have been a time of reorganisation and preparation, and there has not been much in the history of the war to lend itself to description”. Yet this quiet state of affairs was not to last, and the silence of preparation was ended by the ‘Summer Offensive’ of the Somme. The Battle of the Somme lasted from the 1st July until the 18th November of the same year. On the first day alone, the British Army lost around 60,000 men, and this number increased to over 350,000 over the following months. The number of O.B.s lost to the War dramatically increased over this period, causing the Roll of Honour produced in each Chronicle to suddenly jump from a detailed account of each of the fallen, to a mere list of names.

“The following are fallen. If the notices are brief, it is because space forbids the full mention which we should like to make.”

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Leslie Raymond Talbot Gilbert

27th January 1897 to 20th January 1916.

“At the school from 1907 to 1909, when he left at an early age because his family migrated to Australia. He was very bright and promising, and would have done very well from a School stand-point, if he had been able to stay on. Had he been a little older he would have obtained a commission in the Australian Force: but as it was he joined the ranks, and rapidly rose to be Sergeant in the 14th Battalion. At the battle on Lone Pine in the Dardanelles, where the Australian Division so much distinguished itself, he was severely wounded. He was able to stand the journey to London, and was looking forward to convalescence, when a sudden relapse intervened, and he died on January 20th of this year. Those who remember him liked him well, and he gave to the Empire a life of much promise.”

William Hurst Nicolson

19th September 1870 to 21th January 1916.

“In the 37th Dogras, was at the school from 1885 to 1888, and his father the Rev. W. Millar Nicolson, D.Sc., will be remembered by some as a Presbyterian Minister in Bristol at that time. The son attained a high position in the Sixth Classical, went on to Edinburgh University, and as a University Candidate obtained his commission in the Royal Munster Fusiliers in 1892. Thence in 1896 he transferred to the Indian Army, received his captaincy in July 1901, and became Major in May 1912. He saw service both in Africa, and on the Indian Frontier, in the North-West in 1897-1, when he was present at the action at Malakand, and received the medal with clasp, and again in the Tirah Campaign, when he was assistant transport officer. For nine years he serves with the King’s African Rifles, and he used his opportunities to make a fine collection of heads of big game. He was a keen sportsman, and a good shot, and a good soldier: early in the year he was killed in action in Mesopotamia.”

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Robert Leslie Vincent Helps

20th July 1894 to 20th March 1916.

“Entered the School in 1906, a quiet and seemingly delicate boy who throughout his School career made progress both in work and in the respect and liking of those who came into touch with him. In 1910, he left from the Vth Classical. A welcome visit which he paid to the School on his last leave showed him still unchanged, as quiet and modest and ready as he had always been. Those who knew him best will be least surprised by the heroism of his last service. The officer commanding his platoon wrote: ‘The Battalion was gassed and heavily bombarded from 2 a.m. to 4 a.m., during which time a German bombing party entered our trenches. Helps and his section put up a magnificent fight for it, but unfortunately all became casualties except one. Your son was found on our barbed wire just before dawn by one of our officers and brought in. He was obviously dragged over by the Germans, who got frightened at our fire and left him there. He was making a good fight for life when the doctor dressed his wounds, but I am afraid they are very serious.’

He did not recover for the Chaplain at the Clearing Station wrote on March 21st: - ‘You are indeed to be congratulated upon the bravery, heroism, and sacrifice displayed by your son. It seems that he alone held a trench with rifle and hand grenade against an onrush of Germans for such time that his comrades retreated to a safer position, not stopping until he was seriously wounded. He was then overpowered and taken prisoner by the enemy, and when the enemy were driven out of the trench, they left him as dead. Within a few hours he was brought down here. Other wounded comrades say that he was simply splendid, and that he is to be recommended by his commanding officer for such bravery. But I regret to state that such sacrifice for others’ lives cost him his own, as he unfortunately died yesterday (28th March) after a few hours here.’

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Reginald Charles Cooke

17th June 1886 to 7th July 1916.

“Considerable anxiety is being experienced regarding the fate of Second Lieutenant R.C. Cooke, Welsh Regiment, the famous Weston-SuperMare, Somerset, Western XI., and Welsh International hockey forward, whose parents, Mr. and Mrs. C.P. Cooke, of Brunel House, Weston-Super-Mare, have been notified by the War Office that he is ‘missing believed killed’. Liuet. Cooke was unquestionably one of the finest outside rights in the kingdom. After practising as a solicitor for some while in Weston, he took up a partnership in a well-known legal firm in South Wales, and, on the outbreak of war, was proud to enlist as a private. He was quite recently awarded the Military Cross for repeatedly Thiepval Memorial cutting German wire under heavy fire – Photographed by Nicola Pearce, 2013 An extract from the local press received just before publication. R.C.Cooke was at the School 1901-1903, and all Old Boys hope that he may have been picked up and saved.”

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The Howell Brothers

Edwin: 7th July 1888 to 5th August 1916.

Edgar: 2nd January 1890 to 5th August 1916.

Throughout the War, seven pairs of brothers were lost. The Howell brothers are unusual in the fact that they both died on the same day. Both were attached to the 25th Battalion of the Australian Imperial Force, having both moved to Australia after finishing School. They are buried near each other in London Cemetery and Extension, France. The site map of this cemetery, with their graves marked, can be seen below.

Edwin Guy Howell - Aged 28. Sometime after leaving School he went to Australia, and there in 1915 he joined the 25th Battalion of the Australian Imperial Force. He was killed in action in France on August 5th.

Edgar Stanley Howell - Aged 26. He went to Canada and was there from 1906 to 1911, went to Australia in 1912, and settled and married at Brisbane. Like his brother he joined the 25th Battalion of the Australian Imperial Force, and on the same day that his brother was killed, August 5th, he was posted missing and has not since been heard of. The sincerest sympathy will go out to their father who thus in one day was bereaved of his two sons gallantly fighting in the Somme.

Site map with dots

www.cwgc.org

Photographed by Nicola Pearce, 2013

London Cemetery and Extension, Longueval

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Stanley Frederick Alwin Martin

27th March 1883 to 15th September 1916.

“He was a veteran who served through the South African War, and after ten years mining in Canada, came over as a Corporal with the first Canadian contingent in Princess Patricia’s Light Infantry. He was all through the heavy fighting undergone by that battalion, was given a commission, and was wounded at La Bassee in 1915. On recovery he returned to the front, was promoted to Major, and was killed on September 15th.

He was a man of very fine physique, a soldier every inch, and of the greatest courage: his record is one for pride.”

Canadian War Graves Register (Circumstances of Casualty): Temporary Major Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry

Vimy Memorial

Photographed by Nicola Pearce, 2013

“Killed in Action” During an attack West of Courcelette and whilst leading No 4 Company, in the rear of No 3 Company, along a sunken road which was under considerable shell fire, there were several halts. Upon such occasions his company took shelter under the three foot bank on the left side of the road. At each halt Major Martin went forward a short distance to see what occasioned the delay. During one of these halts he had proceeded a few yards along the centre of the road and turned towards the Company, when he was hit in the head by an enemy rifle bullet and instantly killed.

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“We have been called on to give of our best, and the best have not flinched from the sacrifice: if the record is one of great sorrow, it is also on of great pride. All the more clearly and sternly comes to summons to “carry on” from those that are fallen before their day and have willingly paid the debt which their country and the cause have demanded.”

School Chronicle December 1916

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Gilbert, Leslie Raymond Talbot. Attended the School between 1907 and 1909. Served in the Army as a NCO. Died 20 January 1916, aged 19. Buried in Nunhead (All Saints) Cemetery, Britain.

Nicolson, William Hurst. Attended the School between 1885 and 1888. Served in the Army as an Officer. Died 21 January 1916, aged 45. Buried in Amara War Cemetery, Iraq.

Smart, George Ullathorne. Attended the School between 1910 and 1912. Served in the Army. Died 19 March 1916, aged 21. Buried in Sucrerie Military Cemetery, France.

Helps, Robert Leslie Vincent. Attended the School between 1906 and 1910. Served in the Army. Died 20 March 1916, aged 21. Buried in Beauval Communal Cemetery, France.

Hardingham, Francis George. Attended the School between 1904 and 1905. Served in the Army. Died 23 March 1916, aged 25. Buried in Maple Copse Cemetery, Belgium.

Howard, Frank Hurbert. Attended the School between 1896 and 1900. Served in the Army as a NCO. Died 9 April 1916, aged 31. Remembered on the Basra Memorial, Iraq.

Olds, Cyril Austin Patt. Attended the School between 1909 and 1911. Served in the Army as an Officer. Died 16 April 1916, aged 21. Remembered on the Arras Memorial, France.

Fothergill, Albert Edgar. Attended the School between 1901 and 1902. Served in the Army as an Officer. Died 20 April 1916, aged 30. Buried in Rue-du-Bacquerot (13th London) Graveyard, France.

Palk, Arthur Charles. Attended the School between 1909 and 1915. Served in the Navy. Died 31 May 1916, aged 18. Remembered on the Plymouth Naval Memorial, Britain.

Crook, Herbert John. Attended the School between 1897 and 1898. Served in the Army. Died 14 June 1916, aged 33. Remembered on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium.

Golding, Frank Alfred. Attended the School between 1909 and 1914. Served in the Army as an Officer. Died 1 July 1916, aged 18. Buried in Gordon Dump Cemetery, France.

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Hannam, Francis John. Attended the School between 1891 and 1896. Served in the Army as an Officer. Died 5 July 1916, aged 36. Buried in Laventie Military Cemetery, France.

Cooke, Reginald Charles. Attended the School between 1901 and 1903. Served in the Army as an Officer. Died 7 July 1916, aged 30. Remembered on the Thiepval Memorial, France.

Forsyth, James. Attended the School between 1907 and 1912. Served in the Army as an Officer. Died 13 July 1916, aged 20. Remembered on the Thiepval Memorial, France.

Beswetherick, William John. Attended the School between 1898 and 1904. Served in the Army. Died 15 July 1916, aged 34. Buried in Nairobi South Cemetery, Africa.

Garlick, Charles Sidney. Attended the School between 1908 and 1911. Served in the Army as an Officer. Died 16 July 1916, aged 18. Buried in Dive Copse British Cemetery, France.

Strickland, Denys Joseph. Attended the School between 1903 and 1907. Served in the Army as a NCO. Died 17 July 1916, aged 25. Buried in Blighty Valley Cemetery, France.

Langford, William John. Attended the School between 1906 and 1911. Served in the Army as an Officer. Died 19 July 1916, aged 24. Remembered on the Loos Memorial, France.

Naish, Edwin Athelstan. Attended the School between 1906 and 1911. Served in the Army as an Officer. Died 22 July 1916, aged 23. Remembered on the Thiepval Memorial, France.

Humphris, John Harold. Attended the School between 1904 and 1907. Served in the Army. Died 23 July 1916, aged 24. Remembered on the Thiepval Memorial, France.

Newton, Frederick William John. Attended the School during 1903. Served in the Army.

Died 27 July 1916, aged 28. Buried in Puchevillers British Cemetery, France.

Turner, Crosby Russell Swanson. Attended the School between 1908 and 1909.

Served in the Army as an Officer. Died 27 July 1916, aged 19. Remembered on the Thiepval Memorial, France.

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Howell, Edwin Guy. Attended the School between 1898 and 1903. Served in the Army.

Died 5 August 1916, aged 28. Buried in London Cemetery and Extension, France.

Howell, Edgar Stanley. Attended the School between 1902 and 1904. Served in the Army. Died 5 August 1916, aged 26. Buried in London Cemetery and Extension, France.

Player, Eric Noel. Attended the School between 1899 and 1905. Served in the Army as an Officer. Died 6 August 1916, aged 28. Buried in Becourt Military Cemetery, Becordel-Becourt, France.

Gunton, John Welby. Attended the School between 1906 and 1914. Served in the RAF as an Officer. Died 9 August 1916, aged 21. Remembered on the Arras Flying Services Memorial, France.

Alford, Allan Charles George. Attended the School between 1909 and 1913. Served in the Army as an Officer. Died 3 September 1916, aged 22. Remembered on the Thiepval Memorial, France.

Coram, Hubert Harrington. Attended the School between 1897 and 1900. Served in the Army as a NCO. Died 3 September 1916, aged 30. Buried in Auchonvillers Military Cemetery, France.

Worcester, Harold Paul. Attended the School between 1908 and 1912. Served in the Army as an Officer. Died 10 September 1916, aged 22. Buried in Aveluy Communal Cemetery Extension, France.

Martin, Stanley Frederick Alwin. Attended the School between 1893 and 1898. Served in the Army as an Officer. Died 15 September 1916, aged 33. Remembered on the Vimy Memorial, France.

Spring, Harold Albert Arden. Attended the School between 1908 and 1910. Served in the Army as an Officer. Died 15 September 1916, aged 19. Remembered on the Thiepval Memorial, France.

Lewis, Clifford Stanley. Attended the School between 1905 and 1914. Served in the Army as an Officer. Died 19 September 1916, aged 21. Buried in Merville Communal Cemetery, France.

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Champion, Ivor Edward. Attended the School between 1891 and 1893. Served in the Army. Died 27 September 1916, aged 40. Remembered on the Caterpillar Valley (New Zealand) Memorial, France.

Richards, Dudley Brookhouse. Attended the School between 1907 and 1911. Served in the Army as an Officer. Died 29 September 1916, aged 18. Buried in Grove Town Cemetery, France.

Dymoke, Walter George. Attended the School between 1904 and 1909. Served in the Army as an Officer. Died 3 October 1916, aged 21. Buried in Contay British Cemetery, France.

Bell, Frederick Donald Linnel. Attended the School between 1907 and 1914. Served in the Army. Died 7 October 1916, aged 20. Buried in Warlencourt British Cemetery, France.

Booker, Stanley Charles. Attended the School between 1903 and 1912. Served in the Army as an Officer. Died 10 October 1916, aged 23. Buried in St. Vaast Post Military Cemetery, France.

Wickham, Alfred Lionel. Attended the School between 1902 and 1903. Served in the Army. Died 12 October 1916, aged 30. Buried in Canford Cemetery, Britain.

Thomas, David Cuthbert (Alias - Cecil Browne). Attended the School between 1903 and 1911. Served in the Army. Died 19 October 1916, aged 24.

Gunning, William Herbert. Attended the School between 1906 and 1909. Served in the Army as an Officer. Died 31 October 1916, aged 23.

Hitchcock, Herbert William. Attended the School between 1905 and 1913. Served in the Army as an Officer. Died 13 November 1916, aged 22. Buried in Mill Road Cemetery, Thiepval, France.

Stone, Frederick James. Attended the School between 1902 and 1905. Served in the Army as an Officer. Died 29 December 1916, aged 24. Buried in Amara War Cemetery, Iraq.

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Photographed by Nicola Pearce, 2013

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