De Aston School Market Rasen Lincolnshire

1. De Aston SchoolMarket RasenLincolnshire “A War Memorial” Boys and Teachers of World War One (Version 8 – August 2006 -Kevin Norman, late of History Department kjn1961@ntlworld.com) Photographs and materials remain the property and copyright of the Governors of De Aston School, unless otherwise attributed.

2. Sources: School owned Sources: The School “De Astonian” Magazine 1905 - 1940 School Admissions books 1885 - 1974 School Sports Photographs 1885 - 1920 De Aston School Staff Register 1901 – 1963 Donated personally owned Sources: Extracted Diary of Mr. G. Kelly - 1917. Donated by his daughter, Mrs. Faupel, Milton Keynes. Published material from elsewhere: Web access - Commonwealth War Graves Commission Internet Site (www.cwgc.org/) CD access - National Geographic Maps: War Series CD – France 1918 Brothers In War by Michael Walsh (Ebury Press) Unpublished Material: P&O material on HMS Medina (obtained by Sixth Former’s personal correspondence) • This presentation has been prepared by Mr. K.J.Norman of the History Department at De Aston School, with the assistance of various members of the Sixth Form spending time typing, searching the Internet and indexing school photographs.

3. On 26 July 1916, the Chairman of the Governors, Lord Heneage spoke to the School Cadet Company and Parents (possibly on the day this photograph was taken) and the following extract from his speech was reported in the De Astonian of Christmas 1916…. • “…After all, war was a serious game, but it was a game to a certain extent. All the boys in front of him knew that when they played football, or cricket, if one on the field got out of place it might contribute towards losing the match. It was no use unless each player kept his place. In war there was a place for every man, and attention to detail was quite essential…”

4. Things to do Notes, insert maps of western front etc with places and send this off to the poppy project people and to Mrs Faupel on disc. Scuphams poem on the wart page And also the lidt of subscribers on page 152 244 POSSIBLE TO PLOT A MAP SHOWING SITES OF BURIAL, DEATH ETC… House pictures overall map of europe from the memorial page ?

5. Did you know that De Aston School has a War Memorial ? It names the 32 De Astonian pupils and Teachers who died in “the Great War” of 1914 - 1918. Click on it to take a closer look.

6. Plus: a Belgian Refugee educated at De Aston during WW1 – Maurice Geeraerts. .Possibly missing: G W Small

7. Second World War research • If you are interested in the World War Two names on the War Memorial – then a good start for your researches would be to find their Regiment, Number and place of burial from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Website. • Click here to return to the memorial • Commonwealth War Graves Site: • http://yard.ccta.gov.uk/cwgc/register.nsf

8. Geeraerts, M E L G • Maurice Geeraerts was De Aston’s Belgian Refugee during World War One. • School Admissions Book: • “Geeraerts, Maurice Edgar Leon Gerard, son of Mr. E. Geeraerts, of Heyst Op den Berg, Belgium – and “The Belgians, Walesby”. Father was a Magistrat de Justice. • Born 17th January 1901, and entered School 10th May 1915 as a Day Scholar in Form III, having come from the “Petit Seminaire” of Malines. • He passed the following examinations: Cambridge Junior Local July 1916; Cambridge Senior Local 1918 – with 3rd Class Honours. • Left the School from Form VI on 30th July 1918 after completion of 10 terms. Continued his education in Malines, Belgium”. • Cricket Team of 1918 • Return to Memorial

9. Lieut. Anderson, Clifford W • School Admissions Book: • “Anderson, Clifford W., born 23 July 1898, admitted May 3rd 1910, son of Mrs. L.A. Anderson, Butcher and Farmer of Westlands, Westfield Road, Barton on Humber. Left Easter 1912.” • Obituary on pages 195/6 of the Christmas 1918 De Astonian Magazine. • “Another Old De Astonian who has given his life for his fellows is Lieut. C. W. Anderson, of the Royal Field Artillery. He obtained a commission in the above mentioned Regiment on joining the army in October 1915 and first saw active service in France in February 1917. • On November 5th of that same year Lieut. Anderson was transferred with the British Force to Italy, where he remained for 5 months, returning to France in March 1918, just before the British retreat. He became a full Lieutenant before going to Italy. • During the summer of this year he was on the staff at Headquarters for two months, acting as ADC to the General of his brigade. He subsequently returned to the front line and was killed in action just before he was due to take up his ADC duties again. • Mrs Anderson, the late gallant officer’s Mother, has been the recipient of a letter from his Brigadier-General in which he states that all his fellow officers spoke most highly of him, that he was invaluable to the Brigade, and that whatever he was given to do he did quite regardless of personal danger or inconvenience. • We desire to express our sincere regret at the death of this brave officer, and to offer our deepest sympathies to his bereaved family.” Commonwealth War Graves Commission Website “Killed 24 October 1918, “B” Battery 190th Brigade Royal Field Artillery. Buried Vichte Military Cemetery, Anzegem, West-Vlanderen, Plot 1. BB.16” Back to the War Memorial

10. Continued to rest of family

12. Lance Corporal Beechey, Harold Reeve 1891- 1917 School Admissions Book: Beechey Harold Reeve, aged 8, admitted Sept 18th 1899, son of Rev. P.W.T. Beechey of Friesthorpe Rectory, left Christmas 1900, killed in action” Admitted again: “Beechey H. R., aged 11, admitted 18 September 1902, son of Revd. P. W. T. Beechey, of Friesthorpe Rectory, left Midsummer 1907, killed in Action.” Page 146, Christmas 1917 De Astonian Magazine “Another Old De Astonian has given his life for his fellows. It is with deep sorrow that we record the death in France of H. R. Beechey, who was at school from September 1902 until 1907. He is the fourth son to be taken in this great struggle of the late Revd. P W T Beechey of Friesthorpe, (Editor: Five) and Mrs. Beechey and our deepest sympathies lie with Mrs. Beechey and family in their great sorrow. H. R. Beechey after learning farming in England joined one of his brothers in Western Australia in 1913. When war was proclaimed they both joined the Australian Forces. He came to Egypt and thence to Gallipoli, where he fought, being invalided twice, the second time being sent home to England. Later he was sent to Egypt and afterwards to France, where he was wounded while taking messages across the open. He came home to recover and finally returned to France in November 1916, being killed by a bomb on April 10th, 1917. His death was mercifully speedy. May his soul rest in peace !” Commonwealth War Graves Commission Website: “In Memory of Harold Reeve Beechey, Lance Corporal 200, 48th Bn., Australian Infantry, A.I.F. , who died on Tuesday 10th April 1917, aged 26” Check to see if there is any cemetery info?) • Photo 1907 cricket team

13. Page 90 De Astonian Magazine. “Lieutenant F.R. Beechey Write we his name, whose loss we now deplore Upon the roll of those who come no more, His course is run, he did, he gave his best, And passes thus, with honour to his rest, As on the field of sport he played the game And faced with cheerful mien what ever came So in the sterner game of war he died, And many will miss that ever smiling face, Regret serves not to fill the empty space. HWP” Lieutenant Beechey, Frank Collett Reeve 1887-1916 • Teacher at De Aston School • Page 99 De Astonian of Christmas 1916 • “Lieutenant Frank Beechey, the third son of the late Revd. P W T Beechey, Rector of Friesthorpe, died of wounds received in November this year. He was wounded dangerously in the head and succumbed to his injuries after a very short interval. • He was educated at Leatherhead and had been a Master at Hornsea and Horsham before joining the staff of De Aston, where he remained for some years. He was an excellent footballer and cricketer, and tremendously popular with everybody. • He left De Aston to take up a position at the Choir school, Lincoln, where he was when the war broke out. He was then captain of the Lindum football club, and kept wicket for the Lindum Club, at at times for the County Eleven. Much sympathy is felt for Mrs. Beechey, who has already lost one son in the war, and who has several others serving at present. Mr. Beechey was only 29 when he died.”

14. Commonwealth War Graves Website: • “In Memory of • FRANK COLLETT REEVE BEECHEY • Second Lieutenant, 13th Bn., East Yorkshire Regiment • who died on, Tuesday, 14th November 1916. Age 30. • Son of the Rev. P. W. T. Beechey and Mrs. Amy Beechey, of 197, Wragby Rd., Lincoln. • Cemetery: WARLINCOURT HALTE BRITISH CEMETERY, SAULTY, Pas de Calais, France, Grave Reference/ Panel Number: II. J. 8. • Warlincourt and Saulty are villages on either side of the main road (N25) between Arras (22 kilometres) and Doullens (13 kilometres). The site of the cemetery was chosen in May 1916. It was used from June, 1916, to May, 1917, by the 20th and 43rd Casualty Clearing Stations. There are now over 1,200, 1914-18 war casualties commemorated in this site. The cemetery covers an area of 5,545 square metres. “ The Beechey Story became worse: in 2003 the Author of this presentation received from a Researcher, Mr Michael Walsh of Ducklington in Oxfordshire [mwalsh AT duckcreations.co.uk] : “I am working on a book about a Lincolnshire family who had close ties with the school. The family name was Beechey and the father was rector of Friesthorpe and Snarford from 1890 until his death in 1913. Two of his sons, Harold and Samuel St Vincent, were pupils at the school and another boy, Frank, was later a master there. You might know that of the eight Beechey brothers five were killed in the First World War, including Harold and Frank, and a sixth was left a permanent invalid after being wounded at Gallipoli.” Details in book – “Brothers In War” by Michael Walsh (Ebury Press)

15. Samuel St Vincent Beechey in the Cricket team of 1915. One of the eight Beechey brothers – not one of the killed or wounded.

16. Bird, Henry Charles • School Admissions Book: • “Bird, Charles Henry, born 10th April 1899, admitted September 17th 1908, son of Charles E. Bird, a Wine Merchant of 27 Hills View, Barnstaple. Left Christmas 1908. Killed in Action.” • Obituary on Page 218 of the ?? De Astonian Magazine. • “We exceedingly regret to have to add to our already long roll of Honour the name of H. C. Bird, London Scottish, who was killed on active service in France on 25th July 1918. • He joined up in 1916 but was not sent out to France until April 1918, when he was attached to the Scots Greys. • Bird was only just over 18 when he gave his life for his country, so he must have offered his services to the nation at as early an age as possible. We offer our deep felt sympathies to his relations and friends.” Back to the War Memorial

17. Corporal Gant, Frank (M.M.) School Admissions Book: “Gant Frank, born 13. 5. 1892. Admitted 3 May 1906. Son of Charles Wm. Gant, Grocer of Ashby, Doncaster. Left Easter 1908.” Page 178 Obituary in De Astonian Magazine: “Still one more name has to be added to the list of those brave fellows who have laid down their lives for us. The most recent of our old school-fellows to make the supreme sacrifice is Corporal F. Gant, who was born on May 13th, 1892, came to De Aston in May, 1906. He left at Easter, 1908, and volunteered for service shortly after war commenced. He joined the Machine Gun Section and was wounded three times in action. On April 14th he was awarded the Military Medal for bravery in the field, and he died fighting gallantly just one month later, on May 14th, the day after his 26th birthday. Our deepest sympathies are with his sorrowing parents.” Extract from Commonwealth War Graves Commission website: “Frank Gant MM, Corporal, 29111, ‘’B’’ Coy. 4th Battalion, Machine Gun Corps (Inf) who died on Tuesday, 14th May 1918. Age 26, Son of Charles William and Louisa Gant, of Ashby, Scunthorpe, buried at St Venant-Robecq road, British Cemetery, Robecq, Pas de Calais France Plot iv . D. 12”

18. Corporal Gant, Frank (M.M.) Page 189 De Astonian Magazine “Ashby, Scunthorpe, July 29th Dear Sir, It is very nice of you to mention my dear boy in your school paper and I thank you also for your kind letter. We have two nice letters from his Company Major in which he tells us Frank would suffer no pain as he was killed instantly by a bomb which fell short of its object and struck Frank's position in the daytime while the whole five were asleep and killed them all and they all are buried together in the place where they fell near Paquit Wood. We seem to know very little about him since he was here at the end of November, and he told us very little; he did not appear to like recalling the horrors he had seen. Frank joined the King's Royal Rifles in February, 1916, and was billeted at Banbury, and there he was chosen with one other as a machinegunner, and sent up to Grantham on St. Patrick's day, and in June was sent across to France with the 2nd section 123rd Machine Gun Brigade, 41st Division, which went onto Armentieres and then on to Fricourt. He was some time at Deville wood. He was wounded in the arm and leg and rendered deaf at Fleurs, and was three months in a Canadian hospital, afterwards joining the 90th Division. On Christmas Eve, 1916, he went into the line, but had to be sent back to the base, the cold being so intense he could not stand it. After that he was some time at Havringcourt Wood, until the German retirement. He was at the capture of Combles, and remained in that district and Arras the greater part of 1917, during which year he was hit in the shoulder and another time in the hand. He was granted leave in November, and when he returned at the beginning of December he joined B Company 4th Machine Gun Corps. Since then he had seen a great deal of fighting in the neighbourhood of Robecq. Poor boy, his was not a fighting nature, but he felt it his duty to go, although he did not like leaving us to the strain of all our business. The future to us seems quite blank, although we are proud to know he has done his duty so well. He has more than once been asked to take a commission, but he said he would rather remain as he was. His papers had gone through, and if he had lived only a few hours longer would have been on his way to England. He was awarded the Military Medal on April 14th, but had not mentioned that to us. The Major told us this after his death. I see you mention Frank Burkitt in your school paper. I have no doubt he will know more about my Frank than I do, as they corresponded regularly. With thanks for your paper. I remain, yours sincerely, LOUISA GANT. “

19. Robecq • Village of Robecq

20. Coulthurst, Frank School Admissions Book: “Colulthurst, Frank. Born 10 Sept. 1895, admitted 23 April 1907, son of James Coulthurst, Farmer of West Halton, left Midsummer 1907?, killed July 1916. “ De Astonian Magazine Christmas 1916 – Page 99 “Frank Coulthurst, who was at De Aston from April 1907 until Midsummer 1911, was, we regret to state, killed in France by the explosion of a mine on September 6th of this year. He was in the London Scottish Regiment. We sympathise greatly with his parents and his brother, who was at school here with him. We are glad to be able to publish a photograph of him in uniform. F. Coulthurst was within a few days of his 21st birthday when he yielded his life for his country.” • Here pictured aged 16 in a photograph of the 1911 Cricket Team. • Picture from the De Astonian Magazine of Christmas 1916 – aged 20 ?

21. From Commonwealth War Graves Commission Website: • “In Memory of • FRANK COULTHURST • Private 597414th Bn., London Regt (London Scottish)who died onWednesday, 6th September 1916. Age 21. • Son of James and Mary Ann Coulthurst, of West Halton, Scunthorpe, Lincs. • Buried at MAROEUIL BRITISH CEMETERY, Pas de Calais, France. Grave Reference III. E. 15. • Maroeuil is a village in the Department of the Pas-de-Calais, 6 kilometres north-west of Arras, between the roads to Houdain and Aubigny. The British Cemetery lies at the end of a track running north from the road to Bray and Ecoivres (C.1).Maroeuil British Cemetery was begun by the 51st (Highland) Division when the British Army took over the Arras front in March, 1916, and it retained its association with that Division until the summer of 1918. Nearly one half of the graves are those of Highland Territorials. Nearly one quarter are those of London Territorials, who were here from July to December, 1916. Of the Tunnelling Companies of the Royal Engineers, 25 Officers and men are buried in this Cemetery; and the 6th Seaforths, the 6th Argyll and Sutherland and the 5th and 7th Gordons erected memorials to officers and men of their own who perished in mine explosions. The Cemetery was protected from observation by the crest of the hill behind it; and whenever it was possible bodies were brought back to it from the front line by tramway. There are now over 550, 1914-18 war casualties commemorated in this site. It covers an area of 3,179 square metres and is enclosed by a kerb on three sides. “

22. Flight-Lieut Croft, George Wheeler 1910 football team • 1911 Football Team • School Admissions Book: • “Croft George Wheeler, born 31 December 1895, admitted 20th January 1909. Son of A. Croft, Fish Merchant of “Estaford”, Mill Road, Cleethorpes. Left Easter 1912” Cricket team of 1911

23. Flight-Lieut Croft, George Wheeler • Page 163 of the De Astonian Magazine: • “The death of flight-Lieut George Wheeler Croft of the R.N.A.S., whose photograph we are able to publish through the courtesy of the “Grimsby News,” has been confirmed by letters received from the chaplain to the deceased’s squadron and the Commanding Officer, and Mrs. Croft has also received a letter of sympathy from His Majesty the King in the loss she has sustained. The deceased officer, who formerly resided at Esladford, Mill-road, Cleethorpes, was only 22 years of age on December 31st last, and was the son of Mr. And Mrs. Croft of Cleethorpes. • He received his education at Clee Grammar School and De Aston Grammar School, Market Rasen, and after leaving school he went into the service of the Coal, Salt and Tanning Company, and afterwards was employed by the Great Central Railways Company in the Dock Officers. • He joined the “Chums” battalion on September 17th 1914, as a private, and received his commission on September 11th, 1915-a year later. He went to France in June 1916, and immediately took his place in the trenches, his first big engagement being the Battle of the Somme. On July 3rd he was in charge of an ammunition party, whose duty it was to keep the troops supplied with ammunition. Three days later he was in the fighting for the possession of Mametz Wood and the shelter, which latter position he was successful in holding. • Later on the same year he was invalided home suffering from shell shock and invertigo? and was put under hospital treatment. On recovering he was put on light duty at Weelsby, and after being in Brockton Camp he departed for the Western front on Good Friday, 1917. He remained with the Lincolns until August, 1917, when at his own request he transferred to the Air Service, to which he had always been attracted.

24. Flight-Lieut Croft, George Wheeler • He gained his ”wings” the first week in October after a period of training at Hythe. Returning from the Western front in November last he married Miss Sybil Hardy, daughter of Mr. And Mrs. John Hardy, of Cleethorpes. The shocking tragedy of his death, which occurred whilst acting as observer over the German lines, came as a great surprise to the widow and members of the family, to whom only a few days before the deceased had written stating that he was to be engaged on home-service in a short time. • The following letter has been received by Mrs. Croft from the Rev. P.H. Wilson, chaplain to the squadron: • “By the time you receive this letter you will no doubt have heard of your husband’s death. He and his pilot were Killed flying just over the lines. Both must have been killed instantly. I thought you would like to know that the funeral took place this afternoon (Feb. 17th ) and I took the service. • Your husband is buried in a cemetery just outside a small town named____. A cross with name, rank and date of death upon it will be placed over the grave. The cross will be made in the squadron. I knew your husband well and shall miss him very much as, I know, will all the squadron. • My deepest sympathy is with you in your great loss. He has made the great sacrifice and you must be proud of him.'' • The officer commanding the ______Squadron writes as follows:-''It is with deepest sympathy and heartfelt regret that I must write to tell you that your husband was killed today(16th Feb.) whilst on duty as observer to Sergeant Hardman, a pilot of the squadron. Up to the present I have no details of the combat, but I gather that an enemy machine gun succeeded in bringing your husband and Sergeant Hardman down in flames this side of our lines. Both were instantly killed. Your husband had been with the squadron for a long time, and his loss is very great indeed. His very many friends join me in heartfelt condolences.''

25. Commonwealth War Graves Commission Website: • “In Memory of • G W CROFT • Lieutenant48th Sqdn., Royal Flying Corpswho died onSaturday, 16th February 1918. Age 22. • Son of Mr. and Mrs. A. N. Croft, of Hill Side, Brigsley; husband of Sybil Croft, of 65, Grimsby Rd., Cleethorpes, Lincs.Cemetery: HAM BRITISH CEMETERY, MUILLE-VILLETTE, Somme, France. Grave Reference/Panel Number: I. C. 32. • Ham is a small town about 20 kilometres south west of St Quentin at the crossroad of the D930 St Quentin-Roye and the D937 Peronne-Chauny. The British Cemetery is in the village of Muille-Villette. From the town centre of Ham take the D932 in the direction of Noyon. The Cemetery is signposted from this road and is situated on the left hand side.Historical Information: • In January, February and March, 1918, the 61st (South Midland) Casualty Clearing Station was posted at Ham; but on the 23rd March the Germans, in their advance towards Amiens, crossed the Somme at Ham, and the town remained in German hands until the French First Army re-entered it on the following 6th September. Ham British Cemetery began in January-March, 1918, as an extension of Muille-Villette German Cemetery, made by the Casualty Clearing Station.. There are now nearly 500, 1914-18 war casualties commemorated in this site. Of these, almost half are unidentified and special memorials are erected to 14 soldiers, believed to be buried among them. Other special memorials record the names of thirty United Kingdom soldiers, buried in other cemeteries, whose graves were not found. The Cemetery covers an area of 2,212 square metres and is enclosed by a brick wall. “

26. Ham Ham • Return to Memorial

27. Private Dewey, Donavan • School Admissions Book: • “Dewey Donavan, born 16. 5. 1897, admitted 28th September 1908, son of Wm. Dewey, Brick Factory Manager, of Fern Villa, Butts Road, Barton on Humber. Left July 1914.” • Commonwealth War Graves Internet Site information • “Private 202004 1st Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment died Tues 22 October 1918 age 21 • Son of Mrs Edith Dewey, 32, Burgate, Barton on Humber • Buried at Berlin South Western Cemetery, (Stahnsdorf ?) Berlin Brandenburg, Grave reference XIII B 3” 1913/14 football team • 1913 2nd XI Cricket Back to the War Memorial

28. 2nd Lieutenant Gibson, Walter Reginald • Obit and picture page 145 • “The many friends of Second-Lieut Walter Reginald Gibson, son of Mr. Walter Gibson, Clerk in the Lindsey County Council office at Lincoln will learn will deep regret that he is officially reported by the war office as missing from October 4th and that in a letter to his parents Lieut. Draper states " his death has cast a gloom over this mess." • Second Lieut. Gibson who would have been 21 in December was a boy member of the Lincoln Cathedral choir which he entered in 1907. He was there nearly 5 years during which time he passed the Cambridge senior examination with honours. He thus obtained the Matriculation certificate of the London university and then became a student teacher of the Lincoln School and practiced at St. Peters-at-Gowts School. • In May 1915 Gibson joined up choosing the county regiment and arriving in France on his 19th birthday. He came back to England in January last to prepare to take a commission and for 4 months was in the Cadet Corps at the Balliol college Oxford. • Gazetted in June, he was sent to Weelsby camp for 3 weeks and was sent out to France as second LT. on August 19th attached to Battalion of Lincolns. As stated above he is officially reported missing on the sadder and more definite news is communicated in an un-official letter from a brother officer. A letter from another officer of the regiment states that second Lt. Gibson was killed in a attack on a German position in the early morning of October 4th.” • School Admissions Book: • “Gibson Walter R., born 11 December 1896. Admitted 19th September 1911, son of W. Gibson Esq., Clerk, of 17 Foster Street, Lincoln. Left July 1913. Killed October 1917, 2nd Lieut.” • Return to J.C.Walley’s letter of 1916

29. At Christmas 1916 he was seen by another De Astonian, and mentioned in a letter back to the school Letter page 103/104 of the De Astonian Magazine. Christmas 1916 “7th Battalion, The Leicestershire Regiment, B.E.F Dear Sir, ….. Since I’ve been out I’ve had the pleasure of meeting both Mr. Upex and W.R.Gibson. I met the former at the base. We happened to be standing at the same street corner waiting for a tram when we saw each other and the joy was mutual. We travelled up the line together, and had a long talk about old times. It appears that he had only recently visited the school and so was able to give me the latest news. It was a week or two before I saw him again, and then he told me he had come across Gibson in his Battalion. Afterwards I had the pleasure of meeting him. He has been out 10 months and is still going strong.

30. Walter Gibson in the 1913 Cricket Team

31. Commonwealth War Graves Commission Website: • “In Memory of • WALTER REGINALD GIBSON • Second Lieutenant, 8th Bn., Lincolnshire Regiment • who died on Thursday, 4th October 1917. Age 20. • Son of Walter and Emily Gibson, of 3, Sibthorp St., Lincoln. • Memorial: TYNE COT MEMORIAL, Zonnebeke, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium • Grave Reference/ Panel Number: Panel 35 to 37 and 162 to 162A • The Tyne Cot Memorial to the Missing forms the north-eastern boundary of Tyne Cot Cemetery, which is located 9 kilometres north east of Ieper town centre, on the Tynecotstraat, a road leading from the Zonnebeekseweg (N332). In 2006 a member of Walter Gibson’s family contacted the Author of this site and discussed this entry. He had never seen a photograph of his relative, and kindly sent a picture of Walter Gibson’s medals

32. Flight Lieutenant Glew, Aubrey • School Admissions book: • “Glew, Aubrey, admitted aged 11 on April 30th. 1903 son of Walter Glew, of South Kelsey Hall, Flight Lieut. Glew, died of wounds received on Sept 8th 1916.” • Photograph of a modern replica of the plane in which Glew met his death supplied by Mr Colin Wood. • (Yet to Insert details of the fatal explosion.) • Obit page 98 De Astonian Magazine: • “Aubrey Glew, who entered De Aston in April, 1903, and left at Easter, 1905, was the son of Mrs. Glew of Wittering and the late Mr. W. T. Glew of South Kelsey. He obtained his commission in the Flying Corps in March, and gained his "wings" six weeks later. Though he has been abroad only six weeks he had been engaged in many hazardous expeditions, and fought many battles with enemy pilots, accounting for no less than four of them. Earlier in the war Lieut. Glew, then a member of the Lincolnshire Yeomanry, had seen active service as a despatch rider. He died of wounds received on September 8th this year, the sad news being received by his mother at the moment when she was reading a letter from her son expressing his anticipation of being home on leave in a few days. He was engaged to be married to Miss Davis of "The Chestnuts", Market Rasen, with whom and with his mother we feel the deepest sympathy.”

33. Commonwealth War Graves Commission website: • “In Memory of • A E GLEW • Second Lieutenant24th Sqdn., Royal Flying Corpswho died onFriday, 8th September 1916. • Commemorative Information • Cemetery: ST. PIERRE CEMETERY, AMIENS, Somme, France Grave Reference/Panel Number: V. B. 5. • Location: St. Pierre Cemetery is situated on the north-eastern outskirts of Amiens, on the northern side of the main road to Albert. At the back of the cemetery is the British Plot.Historical Information: • During part of August, 1914, Amiens was the British Advanced Base. It was captured by the Germans on the 31st of that month, and retaken by the French on the following 13th September. The German offensive which began in March, 1918, had Amiens for at least one of its objectives; but the "Battle of Amines" (8th to 11th August, 1918) is the British name for the action by which the counter-offensive, the Advance to Victory, was begun. The 7th General Hospital was at Amiens in August, 1914; the 56th (South Midland) Casualty Clearing Station from April to July, 1916; the New Zealand Stationary Hospital from July, 1916, to May, 1917; the 42nd Stationary Hospital from October, 1917, to March, 1919; and the 41st Stationary Hospital in March, 1918, and again in December, 1918, and January, 1919. The British Plot was first used in September, 1915, and closed in October, 1919; but shortly after 33 graves of 1918 were brought in from positions in or near the city. There are now over 750, 1914-18 and nearly 100, 1939-45 war casualties commemorated in this site. One of the graves from the 1914-18 War, the site of which is now lost, is represented by a special memorial. The British Plot covers an area of 3,774 square metres.”

34. Hallam, Robert Samuel Football team 1910 • School Admissions Book: • “Hallam, Robert S. Born 3 September 1898, admitted 16th September 1909, son of R.Hallam, Solicitor of Chestnut Grove, Radcliffe on Trent. Left Easter 1912. Killed July 1916.” Cricket team 1911 1911 football team

35. 2nd Lieut. Hallam, Robert Samuel • Page 98 Christmas 1916 De Astonian Magazine: • “Robert Samuel Hallam, the son of a well-known Nottingham solicitor, entered De Aston in September, 1909, and remained her until Easter 1912. He possessed undoubted talents, and was useful on both cricket and football fields, and was much missed when he accompanied Mr. Elliott to Ashby-de-la-Zouch. There he distinguished himself both as a scholar and as an athlete. He was about to enter the legal profession when war broke out, and he promptly volunteered his services. As he was only 16 years of age the recruiting authorities would not accept him, so he joined the Nottingham University O.T.C., and after a year’s training was granted a commission in the special reserve, Sherwood Foresters, shortly after his 17th birthday in September 1915. He proceeded to the front with a draft in the early summer 1916 and was killed in action in July 1916.” • (Editor: This means that he was killed aged 17 years and 10 months.) • Commonwealth War Graves Commission Website: • “In Memory of ROBERT SAMUEL HALLAM • Second Lieutenant 15th Bn., Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regt.) who died on Thursday, 20th July 1916. Age 17. Son of Robert and Emma Hallam, of Chestnut Grove, Trent, Notts. • Memorial: THIEPVAL MEMORIAL, Somme, France Grave Reference/ Panel Number: Pier and Face 10 C 10 D and 11 A” Back to the War Memorial

36. Captain Hodgson, John Charles • Information taken and edited from De Aston School Staff Register 1901-1963: • “John Charles HODGSON, • Born 9 November 1882 • Educated at: Keswick School 1894-1898 • Educated at; Chester Training College 1902-1904 (Teacher Training – Govt Certificate 1st Class 1905) • Employed by London County Council 1904-1906 - Latimer and Popham Rd (Schls?) • Educated at: Le Paragon, Joinville le Pont 1907 April to October • Employed at De Aston from February 1908 • Employed as Teacher of Senior and Junior French. General elementary subjects and some English Literature. Salary £75 a year plus Board and Lodging worth c. £40 a year. Rise in salary to £80 from January 1909. • Left De Aston on 27 July 1909 • Next employment: Teaching Modern Languages at the County School, Penzance, Cornwall.” • Page 69 De Astonian Magazine • “HODGSON - Killed in action at the Dardanelles on June 28th, 1915, Captain John Charles Hodgson, 10th Batt. Border Regiment. Captain Hodgson had been an assistant master at Penzance County School, from 1910 to 1914. He was on the staff at De Aston from January 1907 till he went to Penzance. He was always most popular with every one who had the privilege of knowing him. He was also a frequent contributor to this magazine. He enlisted at the beginning of the war and soon obtained a commission, being promoted captain within 4 months. “

37. Captain Hodgson, John Charles • Commonwealth War Graves Commission Website: • “In memory of • John Charles Hodgson, • Captain, 10th Bn., Border Regiment, • who died on Monday 28th June 1915, aged 33. • Son of Isaac and Emily Catherine Hodgson, of Newlands House, Keswick, Cumberland. • Memorial: HELLES MEMORIAL, Turkey • Grave Reference/ Panel Number: Panel 119 to 125 or 222 and 223 • Location: The Helles Memorial stands on the tip of the Gallipoli Peninsula. It takes the form of an obelisk over 30 metres high that can be seen by ships passing through the Dardanelles. • Historical Information: The Helles Memorial bears over 20,000 names and is both the memorial to the Gallipoli campaign and to men who fell in that campaign and whose graves are unknown or who were lost or buried at sea in Gallipoli waters (other than Australian, New Zealanders and Newfoundlanders who are named on other memorials). Inscribed on it are the names of all the ships that took part in the campaign and the titles of the army formations and units which served on the Peninsula.”

38. Private Holdershaw, Henry • School Admission Book: • “Pupil 283, Holdershaw H, admitted 18 September 1888, son of C. Holdershaw of Lynwode House, left Midsummer 1894. Died in France 1917.” • 1892Cricket Team • 1893 Cricket Team • Page 117 De Astonian Magazine • “Much sympathy is felt for the parent and relatives of Henry Holdershaw, who died on Thursday, 22nd Feb., in the Canadian General Hospital at Boulogne. Private Holdershaw was the elder son of Mister and Mrs Cook Holdershaw of Linwood house Market Rasen. He was at De Aston from 1888 to 1894, and subsequently occupied a farm in the immediate vicinity. He was a keen sportsman, being well known in the Cricket and hunting fields. He enlisted in the Lincolns last June, and some 5 months ago was drafted to France. As the result of the trying conditions there he developed pneumonia and passed away, and stated above, at the age of 40 years.” • 1894 Cricket Team

39. In Memory of • HENRY COOK HOLDERSHAW • Private258612nd Bn., Lincolnshire Regimentwho died onSunday, 25th February 1917. Age 40. • Additional Information: Son of Cook and Mary Holdershaw, of Linwood House, Market Rasen, Lincs. • Commemorative Information • Cemetery: BOULOGNE EASTERN CEMETERY, Pas de Calais, France, Grave Reference/Panel Number: VIII. B. 173. • Location: Boulogne Eastern Cemetery is one of the Town Cemeteries and stands on high ground on the eastern side of Boulogne, on the road to St. Omer. Historical Information: • Boulogne, was one of the three Base ports most extensively used by the British Armies on the Western Front, throughout the 1914-18 War. It was closed and cleared on the 27th August, 1914, in consequence of the retreat of the Allies; but it was opened again in October, and from that month to the end of the war Boulogne and Wimereux formed one of the chief Hospital areas. The dead from the Hospitals at Boulogne itself were buried, until June (in a few cases July), 1918, in the Cimetiere de L'Est, one of the Town Cemeteries. The British graves form a long, narrow strip along the right hand edge of the cemetery; they are arranged in seven plots, numbered I to IV and VII to IX. There are now nearly 6,000, 1914-18 and 200, 1939-45 war casualties commemorated in this site. The cemetery covers an area of 8,040 square metres. Back to the War Memorial

40. Corporal Lucas, Henry Raymond • 1907 Football • School Admissions Book: • “Lucas Henry Raymond, born 4th March 1893, admitted September 21st 1905, son of G. Lucas a Grocer of Sturton by Stow. Left Midsummer 1908. Killed in Action October 1915.” • 1906 football,

41. Corporal Lucas, Henry Raymond • De Astonian Magazine Pg 51 • We are able to print the following facts of the career of H.R Lucas (whose photo we here reproduce). He was at De Aston from 1905 to 1908, during which time he kept goal for the football team in most matches. On leaving school, he entered the drapery trade in Lincoln, afterwards going to Sheffield and then to London. At the outbreak of war he enlisted in the Royal Field Artillery B/46 Battery. He was made a bombardier in a month , and became a corporal six months later. He was selected out of the whole battery to undergo a special course in Gunnery instruction at Shoeburyness, and he obtained a certificate of efficiency. He accompanied his battery to the front in May 1915 and was in action nearly all the time up to his death in on Sept.30th. • (continued) • Page 54 Obituary in De Astonian Magazine • “Lucas, Henry Raymond.- born 4th March, 1893, killed in action 30th September 1915. De Aston September 1905 to July 1908.”

42. The following letter we are privileged to print through the courtesy of his father , Mr George Lucas:- “ Tuesday 26th October 1915 Re Corporal Lucas. H R , deceased. Dear Mr Lucas, - Yours of the 21st inst. to hand , I regret not having written you before this, but my time has been fully occupied, and as Corporal Barker kindly said he would break the sad news to you, I consented, promising to write later. I will now give you all the particulars I am able to regarding the sad affair. It occurred on the afternoon of the 30th ult., about 4-30 pm, the battery had just received the order “stand easy”, after a particularly heavy bombardment, and he was just emerging from the gun pit when a shell came, without any warning whatever, and burst, killing your son instantly. I need hardly say how sorry we all were - he was a particular friend of mine - he was so quiet and unassuming and liked in consequence by both officers and men. The following morning I collected all his private property-which I will forward to you to-morrow ( Wednesday ) -although we are supposed to send same in the first place to the base , but as same is rather a risky proceeding, I will send direct to you. He was buried in the grounds of the ecole (school) in a place chosen by myself. The School is situated just outside the ramparts of Ypres. He was sewn in a blanket ( the soldiers’ coffin ) and reverently buried by the Army Chaplains about 6.30pm. When I tell you that hundreds of men are buried by their comrades just as they fall – no blanket or chaplain - you will see that we did all that was possible for your son. A few days later the grave was trimmed and a cross erected at the head of the same. A sketch is enclosed. If at any time I go near his grave, I will give attention to it and also if there is anything further I can do for you, shall be only too pleased to do it. Hoping that may time in some way heal your great sorrow – you know at any rate that he died doing his duty to King and Country. He was never a slacker - like hundreds in the Old Country. With kind regards, Harold G. Burton.” Commonwealth War Graves information: Corporal 94771 “B” Battery, 76th Brigade, Royal field Artillery died Thursday 30 Sept 1915, Buried Bedford House Cemetery, Zillebeke, Ieper, West Flanders, Enclosure No2 VI A 10

43. Corporal Lucas Buried at Bedford House Cemetery, Ypres. Photographed March 2002 by a member of a De Aston School Party • Back to War Memorial

44. Lieutenant Marris, H F (M.C.) • Page 164 The De Astonian Magazine • “Among those who have made the supreme sacrifice for their country there is none whose loss we more deplore than Lieut H F Marris, who died of wounds in Flanders on December 12th. • The deceased officer, who was the son of the Rev.CC Marris, formerly vicar of Habrough and Immingham, and himself an old De Astonian 1865-1869, was at school at De Aston from 1898 till 1903 , when he left to go to Durham School. Leaving the latter Midsummer, 1906, he went into the shops at Immingham Dock, then just beginning construction, and served his time as a fitter to gain a knowledge of mechanical engineering. • He was in charge of the cranes there when war broke out in 1914, and joined the R.E's (Regulars) as Sapper. He trained at the Curragh with the 63rd Field Company and left for Gallipoli July , 1913 (SIC), then being Sergeant. His first taste of war was in the Sulva bay landing, October 1st, 1915. He was invalided home from there and landed in England December 2nd, 1915. • On being discharged from hospital he was granted a commission in the R.E's, and after training was sent to the 75th Field Company attached to the Guards' Division shortly before the Battle of the Somme. He won the M.C in February, 1917, his name appearing in the Birthday Honours, June 5th. His promotion to Leiut. was announced in the Times, May 21st, 1917. He was badly wounded by an odd shell on December 2nd, and died December 12th. His fellow officers spoke of him as a ''Very brave man and of a very kind disposition.'' His C.O. said he was always ready to take the dangerous work without hesitation. • Our heartfelt sympathies are with those relations and friends whom he has left to mourn his loss.” • 1903 Cricket Team (at back)

45. Commonwealth War Graves Commission Website: • “In Memory of • HORACE FROST MARRIS MC • Lieutenant, 76th Field Coy., Royal Engineers, • who died on Wednesday, 12th December 1917. Age 28, of wounds received on 2nd Dec. Son of the Rev. Charles Colquhoun Marris and Edith Marris, of "Hazeldene," Dene Rd., Guildford. • Commemorative Information • Cemetery: TINCOURT NEW BRITISH CEMETERY, Somme, FranceGrave Reference/ Panel Number: IV. B. 26. • Tincourt is a village about 7 kilometres east of Peronne and Tincourt New British Cemetery is on the west side of the village, just off the D199. • Historical Information: The villages were occupied by British troops in March, 1917, during the German Retreat to the Hindenburg Line; and fro the following May until March, 1918, Tincourt became a centre for Casualty Clearing Stations. The cemetery was begun in June, 1917, and used until September, 1919. There are now nearly 2,000, 1914-18 war casualties commemorated in this site. Of these, over 250 are unidentified.” • School Admissions Book: • “Marris, Horace F, admitted aged 9 on Sept 16th 1898, son of Rev. C.C.Marris of Habrough Vicarage, left Midsummer 1903. Killed in Action.”

46. Gunner Martin, Walter School Admissions Book: “Walter Martin, admitted aged 7 January 24th 1901, (with brother George) son of Frank Martin, of ?? Boston, Left Christmas 1907. Killed in action” Page 54 of De Astonian Magazine: “Martin, Walter - born 1893 killed in action October 13th 1915. De Astonian January 1901 to December 1907.” Football team of 1907 – aged 14

47. Commonwealth War Graves Commission Website • “In Memory of • WALTER MARTIN • Gunner13881st North Midland Brigade, Royal Field Artillerywho died onWednesday, 13th October 1915. Age 22. • Son of Frank and Violet Martin, of Devon Villa, Sleaford Rd., Boston. • Memorial: LOOS MEMORIAL, Pas de Calais, France • Grave Reference/ Panel Number: Panel 3 • Loos-en-Gohelle is a village about 5 kilometres north-west of Lens. The Loos Memorial forms the side and back of Dud Corner Cemetery where over 1,700 officers and men are buried, the great majority of whom fell in the Battle of Loos. Dud Corner Cemetery, which stands almost on the site of a German strong point, the Lens Road Redoubt, captured by the 15th (Scottish) Division on the first day of the battle, is located about 1 kilometre west of the village, on the N43, the main Lens to Bethune road. The Loos Memorial commemorates over 20,000 officers and men who fell in the area from the River Lys to the old southern boundary of the First Army, east and west of Grenay, and who have no known grave. It covers the period from the first day of the Battle of Loos to the date of the Armistice. On either side of the cemetery is a wall 15 feet high, to which are fixed tablets on which are carved the names of those commemorated. At the back are four small circular courts, open to the sky, in which the lines of tablets are continued, and between these courts are three semicircular walls or apses, two of which carry tablets, while on the centre apse is erected the Cross of Sacrifice.”

48. Page 50 of De Astonian Magazine: “Walter Martin enlisted soon after the outbreak of the war, having previously been working at Drainage engineering under Messrs. Johnson and Robins of Boston. He was a prominent member of the Boston Football Club and much repspected in the town and district. His brother, now Second-Lieut. George Martin, has been specially commended for almost reckless bravery at the front. George is now at Grantham, and it is sad to relate that Walter’s soldierly qualities had been duly recognised, and that it was expected that he would be commissioned at any time and would soon be home. The following letter speaks for itself, and is one of the scores which have been received by Mr and Mrs. Martin in their sad bereavement.: “Dear Sir, I am very sorry to have to inform you of the death of your son, Gunner Walter Martin, who was killed in action on the 13th inst. At 2.40pm. He had just been told to send a message through by signal from the Battery to another point, and had taken up his stand at the same moment as a 5.9 inch shell dropped on the gun-pit about six yards from him. He, and two other telephonists, as well as two gunners in the gun-pit, were killed instantaneously, and we have buried them just where it occurred. He was of sterling quality and is greatly missed by both his officers and his comrades, and would seem to be almost a double loss in that his name had been sent forward for a Commission in the Territorials. Please accept through me the sympathy of the officers and men of the Battery. And believe me, yours very sincerely, Jas. J. Read, Major. Commanding 1st Lincoln Battery. October 15th, 1915.” • Cricket Team of 1908

49. Lieutenant Measures, Arthur • School Admissions Book: • “Measures Arthur, admitted aged 8, 18th September 1902, son of Mrs. Measures of Louth, left Midsummer 1908. Killed in Action.” • See brother E .Measures • Obit page 196 De Astonian Magazine: • “As we go to press we are given the sad news that Lieut. Arthur Measures, of the Royal Air Force, has been killed while flying in England.Though the sad event did not take place over the enemy lines this brave officer has none the less given his life for his country, and has left his name to be added to the honourable list of those old De Astonians who have fallen in this great war. We wish to express our sympathies with his relatives and friends.” • Also insert picture of ? 1907 cricket team Back to the War Memorial

50. Measures, Edward 1901 Football Team • School Admissions Book: • “Measures E, born 21 Nov 1887, admitted 19th January 1904, son of Mrs. Measures of Louth, left June 1904. Dead.” • De Astonian Magazine Christmas 1918. • “The painful news has just reached us that Edward Measures, who was Veterinary Surgeon to H.M.the King at Sandringham, has died of typhoid fever after a very short illness. Coming so soon after the death of his younger brother Arthur, the decease of this Old De Astonian seems doubly sad.” • 1901 Cricket Team • 1902 Cricket Team • See Arthur Measures, his brother. Back to the War Memorial