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…”

Lieutenant, “B” Battery 190th Brigade [Territorial], Royal Field Artillery. Killed in action 24 October 1918. Buried Vichte Military Cemetery, Anzegem, West-Vlanderen, Plot 1. Row BB. Grave 16.

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.”

Second Lieutenant, 13th Battalion, East Yorkshire Regiment. Died of wounds 14 November 1916. Born 12 October 1886. Died aged 36. Son of the Rev P W Thomas Beechey and Amy Beechey of 197 Wragby Rd, Lincoln. His brothers Bernard Reeve, Charles Reeve and Harold Reeve also fell. A teacher was the second, of eight, Beechey brothers to give his life for his country; his brother Harold is listed below. His legs were torn off by a Somme shell in November 1916 - and his death was one of the cruellest tricks that fate played on his mother Amy and her five daughters. Frank, aged 30 when he died, had lain in No Man's Land under enemy fire from dawn until dusk before an army doctor risked his life to crawl out and administer morphine. Two days after getting official notice of his death Amy received a card from Frank that read: "Wounded... but going on well." Grief-stricken and bewildered, Amy fired off a telegram to the War Office asking if her son really had died. The brief, devastating reply confirmed her worst fears. Buried in Warlincourt Halte British Cemetery, Saulty, Pas de Calais, France. Plot II. Row J. Grave 8.

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. "

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”

Photo 1907 cricket team

Lance Corporal 200, 48th Battalion, Australian Infantry, A.I.F. Killed in action at Bullecourt 10 April 1917. Aged 26. Born Friesthorpe Rectory, Lincoln. Pupil ar De Aston School 1899-1900. Emigrated to Australia aged 22. Enlisted 9 September 1914 Perth, Western Australia. Farmer by trade. Perhaps the most tragic of the Beechey brothers; brother of Frank (above). Son of the Rev P W Thomas Beechey and Amy Beechey of 197 Wragby Rd, Lincoln. His brothers Bernard Reeve, Charles Reeve and Frank Collett Reeve also fell. Having fought Turks and dysentery at Gallipoli, he survived the Somme with a wound that took him back to England. He wrote home: "Very lucky, nice round shrapnel through arm and chest, but did not penetrate ribs. Feel I could take it out myself with a knife. "But there was little sympathy for the injured or battle-weary in Kitchener's army and he was patched up and sent back to fight again. He wrote bitterly to his mum: "To deny a fellow the right of a final leave seems to me to be miserable spitefulness on their part." Harold, a farmer in Australia, was killed in action in Bullecourt in April 1917 aged 26.

His few possessions - a pair of hairbrushes, a language book, a wallet and a photo of his sweetheart - were returned to his mother. In her only surviving response to the tragedy overwhelming her family, Amy wrote: "Thank you very much for your kindness in sending me details of the death of my son L/Cpl HR Beechey 48 Battalion. "I am thankful that he did not suffer long. Poor boy, he had been invalided twice and wounded once and we hoped he would come through."

No known grave. Commemorated on Villers-Bretonneux Memorial, Somme, France.

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 !”

[Listed as Henry Charles BIRD on memorial] Corporal 238078, 4th Battalion Gordon Highlanders. Enlisted London. Killed in action 25/07/1918 age 18. Commemorated on the Soissons Memorial, Soissons, Aisne, France. This memorial commemorates about 4,000 British officers and men who died during the Battles of the Aisne and the Marne in 1918 and who have no known grave. Born 1889 Barnstable, Devon, son of Charles Ernest (a wine merchant's representative) and Ellen Maria A (nee Baker) Bird.

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.”

Corporal, 29111, "B’" Company, 4th Battalion, Machine Gun Corps (Infantry) who was killed in action on Tuesday, 14 May 1918. Age 26. Born and resident Ashby, resident Scunthorpe. Son of Charles William and Louisa Gant, of Ashby, Scunthorpe. Formerly R/19054, King's Royal Rifle Corps. Buried in St Venant-Robecq road, British Cemetery, Robecq, Pas de Calais France Plot IV . Row D. Grave 12.

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.”

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. “

Private 5974,14th (County of London) Battalion, London Regiment (London Scottish)who was killed in action onWednesday, 6 September 1916. Age 21. Enlisted London, resident Doncaster. Son of James and Mary Ann Coulthurst, of West Halton, Scunthorpe, Lincs. Buried in MAROEUIL BRITISH CEMETERY, Pas de Calais, France. Plot III. Row E. Frave 15.

School Admissions Book:
" Coulthurst, 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.”

Lieutenant 48th Squadron, Royal Flying Corps and LIncolnshire Regiment who was killed in action onSaturday, 16 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.Buried in Ham British Cemetery, Muille-Villette, Somme, France. Plot I. Row C. Grave 32.

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.''

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”

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.

Private 202004, 1st Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment died Tuesday 22 October 1918. Aged 21. Born and resident Barton-on-Humber, enlisted Leeds. Son of Mrs Edith Dewey, 32, Burgate, Barton on Humber. Buried at Berlin South Western Cemetery, Berlin, Brandenburg, Germany. Plot XIII Row B Grave 3.

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.”

Second Lieutenant, 8th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment who was killed in action on Thursday, 4 October 1917. Age 20. Son of Walter and Emily Gibson, of 3, Sibthorp St., Lincoln. No known grave. Commemorated on Tyne Cot Memorial, Zonnebeke, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Panel 35 to 37 and 162 to 162A

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.”

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.”

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.

Flight Lieutenant, 24th Squadron, Royal Flying Corpswho killed in action onFriday, 8 September 1916. Buried in St. Pierre Cemetery, Amiens, Somme, France. Plot V. Row B. Grave 5.

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.”

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.”

Second Lieutenant 15th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Regimentt) who was killed in action on Thursday, 20 July 1916. Age 17. Son of Robert and Emma Hallam, of Chestnut Grove, Trent, Notts. No known grave. Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France . Pier and Face 10 C 10 D and 11 A

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.”

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.”

Captain, 10th Battalion, Border Regiment, who was killed in action on Monday 28th June 1915, aged 33. Son of Isaac and Emily Catherine Hodgson, of Newlands House, Keswick, Cumberland. No known grave. Commemorated on Helles Memorial, Turkey. Panel 119 to 125 or 222 and 223

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, then Chester Training College 1902-1904 (Teacher Training – Govt Certificate 1st Class 1905). Employed by London County Council , 1904-1906 - Latimer and Popham Rd (Schools?). Educated at Le Paragon, Joinville le Pont 1907 April to October. Employed at De Aston from February 1908 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 and was then 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."

Private 25861, 2nd Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment who died on Sunday, 25 February 1917. Age 40. Born Linwood, enlisted Market rasen. Son of Cook and Mary Holdershaw, of Linwood House, Market Rasen, Lincs. Buried in Boulogne Eastern Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France. Plot VIII. Row B. Grave 173.

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.”

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.”

Corporal 94771, “B” Battery, 76th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery who was killed in action on Thursday 30 September 1915. Born Sturton-By-Stow, Lincoln, enlisted Marylenone, London N.W. Buried in Bedford House Cemetery, Zillebeke, Ieper, West Flanders, Enclosure No 2 Plot VI Row A Grave 10

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.”

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.

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.”

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.

Lieutenant, 76th Field Company, Royal Engineers, who died on Wednesday, 12 December 1917. Age 28, of wounds received on 2 December. Son of the Rev. Charles Colquhoun Marris and Edith Marris, of "Hazeldene," Dene Rd., Guildford. Awarded the Military Cross (M.C.).Buried in Tincourt New Britsih Cemetery, Somme, France. Plot IV. Row B. Grave 26.

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.”

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.”

Gunner 1388, 1st North Midland Brigade, Royal Field Artillery who was killed in action onWednesday, 13 October 1915. Age 22. Born and enlisted Boston. Son of Frank and Violet Martin, of Devon Villa, Sleaford Rd., Boston. No known grave. Commemorated on Loos Memorial, Pas de Calais, France. Panel 3.

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.”

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.”

Lieutenant. Brother of E Measures below.

School Admissions Book:
“Measures Arthur, admitted aged 8, 18th September 1902, son of Mrs. Measures of Louth, left Midsummer 1908. Killed in Action.”

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.”

Brother of A Measures above.

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.”

Second Lieutenant, 7th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment who was killed in action on Sunday, 25 August 1918. Age 20. Son of Frank Naylor, J.P., of Middle Rasen, Market Rasen, Lincs. Awarded the Military Cross (M.C.). Buried in Martinpuich British Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France. Plot/Row/Section A. Grave 16.

School Admissions Book:
“Naylor, Cyril D., born 5 Sept. 1897, admitted 16 Sept 1909, son of F. Naylor, Farmer of Middle Rasen, left July 1913.”

Private 23496, 2nd Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment who was killed in action on Tuesday, 14 August 1917. Age 20. Born and resident Market Rasen, enlisted Gainsboro. Son of T. and Mary Ann Nettleship, of 7, George St., Market Rasen, Lincs. Buried in Hooge Crater Cemetery, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Plot XIV. Row D. Grave 14.

EDITOR’S NOTE: There may be some confusion with this person. The H T Nettleship on the Memorial and on the War Graves site may or may not be the Thomas W Nettleship born about 1891 and listed in the School Admissions Book below: They apparently have the same father – but T W was born about 1891 and H T about 1897! There is a Thomas Nettleship, Second Lieutenant, 1st/5th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers. Killed in action 22 March 1918. Aged 32. Son of Elizabeth A. Nettleship, of 5, Howick St., Alnwick, Northumberland, and the late Charles Nettleship. No known grave. Commemorated on Pozieres Memorial, Somme, France. Panel 16 to 18.

School Admissions Book:
“Nettleship, Thomas W., aged 10, admitted January 24 1901, son of Thomas Nettleship Junior of Market Rasen. Left Christmas 1904. Dead.”

See also Market Rasen St Thomas and Market Rasen Methodist Memorial

Fourth Engineer Officer, S.S. "Medina" (Greenock), Mercantile Marine who died on Saturday, 28 April 1917. Age 28. Son of the late John and Mary Palmer. Born in India. No known grave. Commemorated on Tower Hill Memorial, London, United Kingdom.

The School admissions book records:
William T Palmer, admitted 19 Jan 1904, born 17 Sept 1886, son of T.G.A. Palmer, addressed India, left Easter 1908, killed 1917 HMS Medina, 4th Engineer”

This diary kept by Gerald P Kelly, De Astonian 1903/4, and passed to De Aston by his daughter, Mrs P Faupel of Milton Keynes.
“On April 8th 1917 we got to Suez, but no one landed so we only remained a couple of hours. It was just in the Canal (Suez) that I met “Pedlar” Palmer (who was with me at the de Aston), he had seen my baggage coming aboard at Colombo ( being a busy man, 4th Engineer is his rating), had not found time to look me up. However, we made up for lost time and many a pleasant hour we spent talking over old times…

Our course from Gibraltar took us right out into the Atlantic. We missed the Bay of Biscay altogether. I had a long yarn with Palmer, how little did either of us guess it would be the last. On the 27th morning we arranged to have a look at the engine room with our friends at 4.30 – we did so and spent a most instructive couple of hours down below: it’s a wonderful spot the engine room of a big liner and I wish I were able to give a good and full description of everything. Well, our journey was drawing to an end and a good deal quicker than anyone had anticipated.“We got to Plymouth at midday of the 27th... At Three we left Plymouth and all went smoothly until we came close to start point – then our journey came to an abrupt end. From the time we left Gibraltar most of us had got very careless about life belts despite the drills and lectures, the advice given at various times by the chief and 2nd Officers – as a result when at 6pm on April 28th we were struck astern by a torpedo not many had life belts. I will not say that there was any panic but in a wonderfully short time the smoking room was empty ! We thought the ship would go down at once, - indeed the decks and cabins were full of water, caused as it happened by the force of water after the explosion. I did not go to my cabin as I had on a life saving waistcoat and did not know if I could find anything – lights having gone out at once as the torpedo struck the engine room.

I went straight to the Hurricane deck as per orders ands waited a bit – no signs of a boat or anyone so I went to the boat deck and found most of the starboard boats smashed up – mine included – I had then to look for another and am glad we were such a small party for if not I would have had no alternative but to jump overboard and wait to be picked up: as it happened there were heaps of boats and I soon found room and got overboard down a rope ladder to safety. We pulled away from the “Medina” and when we had been some two hours in boats we were picked up by a trawler. We spent about half an hour aboard and saw the end of a good ship on which we had passed so many pleasant hours.

To watch the gradual disappearance of the sinking “Medina” was one of the saddest experiences I have undergone. One felt one had lost ones dearest relative and I am sure none of us desire to go through it again. The trawler had found it could not move – as what wind there was was being against us. So we again transhipped but luckily a tug took us aboard this time and without further mishaps we eventually landed at Dartmouth. Though it was after ten and quite dark, all the inhabitants were out to welcome us and we walked ( or tried to ) through rows of sympathetic watchers to our various hotels. Later in the evening when the roll had been called we found that Palmer was missing. He must have been struck, I fancy, for he was on watch in the engine room and was known to have been astern just before the explosion: well he died at his post doing his duty as well as any of our brave men on service though he continually complained to me that he ought to have joined up. He with 5 or 6 native engine room hands were our only casualties, plus a man who lost a leg. This I think speaks volumes for the way the officers and crew looked after their safety.”

Page 135 De Astonian Magazine
“DEATH
It was the utmost regret that we have had to announce the death of W.T Palmer, who lost his life in the English channel on April 28th last. Palmer who was at De Aston from January 1904 to Easter 1905 when he was a keen athletic and a favourite with all, was acting as 4th engineer on board the R.M.S." Medina" when she was torpedoed outside Plymouth by a German submarine. The "Medina " was on her voyage homeward from India, and having landed some passengers and mails at Plymouth was proceeding to London with the remainder of her passengers in order to discharge her cargo. Palmer had only just got on duty at 6pm., and must have been in almost the exact spot where the explosion took place.In expressing our deep sympathy with his relations and numerous friends we cannot refrain from remarking our inability to understand the action of the authorities in sending on vessels from Plymouth through the dangers of the English channel to London and in this manner wasting the lives of England's brave sons, to say nothing of the valuable cargoes thus destroyed. G.P.Kelly who was returning by the same boat from Ceylon for a well deserved holiday, was fortunate in escaping with his life; he lost all his baggage which included a large number of objects of interest and value which he was bringing home from the East.”

Second Lieutenant, 2nd Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers who was killed in action on Thursday, 17 September 1914. Age 25. Son of Mr. H. J. and Mrs. C. Paulson, of 49, Tawney St., Boston, Lincs. Born at Kirton, Boston. Buried in Ste. Marguerite Churchyard, Aisne, France.

School Admissions Book:
“Paulson John S, born 31 October 1889, admitted 21 April 1904, son of H.J. Paulson, Grocer &c. of Kirton in Boston. Left Midsummer 1907. Killed in Action during European War 1914.”

Obituary of Christmas Term 1914.
“It is with the profoundest regret that we record the death of Second Lieutenant J.S. Paulson, who lost his life in the battle of the Aisne.
John S. Paulson was born 31st October 1889. He entered De Aston on 21st April 1904, and left at Midsummer, 1907. He passed the London Matriculation Examination in June 1907, and carried off the De Aston School leaving Scholarship, which he held. for three years at the University of London. There he obtained his Bachelor of Science Degree, taking a third class in Chemistry. He served four years with the London University Officers’ Training Corps, rising to the rank of Cadet Sergeant. He was gazetted Second Lieutenant (Special Reserve) in August, 1911.

On leaving the University, Paulson took up at Easter, 1912, a position as Assistant Master at Orme Boys’ School, Newcastle-under-Lyne, where he remained until Midsummer, 1914. His departure was much regretted, but he had accepted the offer of another post in Northwich Grammar School.

He left, however, for the front on the 22nd August, and on the 23rd marched to the fighting area to enter into action immediately, taking part in two engagements on that day. He passed safely through the Battle of Mons and of the Marne. During the Battle of the Aisne his Brigade was told off to take the village of Bucy-le-Long, then in the possession of the Germans. They crossed the river on a single plank under heavy shrapnel fire. It was during this crossing that Lieutenant Paulson was hit. The following is the report sent by the Chaplain.

“Lieutenant Paulson was wounded by shrapnel all down one side of his body and died three hours later. Three attempts were made by men of his Regiment to rescue him when hit. Two men were killed and two wounded in these attempts. The body of Lieut. Paulson lies in the Churchyard of St. Marguerite, west of Bucy-le-long, immediately inside the gate of the cemetery, on the right side.”

Lieut. Paulson died on 13th September 1914. In concluding, we wish to express our deep sympathy with his family in their deep loss. England demands sacrifices and they, as well as his old schoolfellows who mourn his death, may find comfort in the thought that though he gave his life, he gave it for his country, and that his sacrifice is not in vain..”

School Magazine of Christmas Term 1914.

Corporal, 220264, 11th Battalion, East Yorkshire Regimentwho was killed in action on Wednesday, 27 March 1918. Born Market Weighton, enlisted Hull. No known grave. Brother of John Gilbert Pippet (below). Commemorated on Arras Memorial, Pas de Calais, France. Bay 4 and 5

School Admissions Book:
“Admitted aged 8, September 16th 1898, son of Mr. Benedict Pippett, of Hambledon Villa, Market Rasen, left Midsummer 1906. Killed in Action.”

Obituary page 177 De Astonian Magazine – Midsummer 1918
“It is with greatest regret that we record the death of Sergeant C. V. Pippett in action in France on 27th March this year. Pippett, who came to De Aston in 1898 aged eight, left us in 1906 to enter business in Hull. He joined the East Yorkshire Yeomanry soon after the outbreak of war and later became Sergeant and Instructor on machine guns. He spent several months in the latter half of 1917 on the Yorkshire coast in charge of a machine gun, and went out to France in December. In the following March he took part in resisting the first great onslaught of the enemy and was killed by a machine gun bullet. Deceased was in his 28th year.”

See also Market Rasen St Thomas Memorial

Second Lieutenant, 1st Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment who was killed in action on Wednesday, 29 May 1918. Age 23. Son of Mrs. Margaret Maude Pippet, of Hambleton Villa, Market Rasen, Lincs. Born at Everingham, Yorks. Brother of Cyril Pippet (above). Awarded the Military Medal (M.M.). Buried in Jonchery-Sur-Vesle British Cemetery, Marne, France. Plot I. Row F. Grave 21.

School Admission Book:
“Pippet, Gilbert, admitted aged 8 on 30th April 1903, son of Mrs. Pippett of Hambledon Villa, Market Rasen. Left July 1911. Military Medal 1916, 2nd Lieutenant 1917”

De Astonain Magazine Christmas 1916 page 102:
“Corporal John Gilbert Pippet, East Yorkshire Regiment. For bravery and devotion to duty in destroying wire defences in an important raid on the enemy trenches. He was wounded in the attack.”

See also Market Rasen St Thomas Memorial

Second Lieutenant, 118th Battalion, Machine Gun Corps (Infantry) who was killed in action on Wednesday 26 September 1917. Aged 23. Son of Alfred and Emma Rawlinson, of Market Place, Market Rasen, Lincs. A Bank Clerk at Dudley, enlisted September 1914. Buried in Hooge Crater Cemetery, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Plot VIA. Row G. Grave 3.

School Admissions Book:
“Rawlinson Raymond Harry, born 29 October 1893, admitted Jan 18 1906, son of Alfred Rawlinson, Grocer, of Market Rasen, left Christmas 1910, killed War 1917”

De Astonian Magazine Obituary of Christmas 1917
“Second-Lieut. H. Raymond Rawlinson, whose death we much regret to report, entered De Aston in January 1906, remaining at School five years, when he left to take up a position in a bank.

Lieut Rawlinson was on the staff at Lloyd’s Bank in Birmingham when war broke out, and on September 21st, 1914, he joined the 7th Worcesters. He underwent training at Kidderminster, Maldon and Brentwood. In October, 1915, he was promoted to the rank of sergeant, and went to Bisley for a machine-gun course.

From there he went to Sidworth in the M.G.C. attached to the 7th Worcesters, and was drafted to France in March, 1916, returning to England the following November to take up a commission, He underwent the necessary training at Bisley and on April 26th this year was gazetted and sent to Clipstone, where lie remained until August and when he returned to active service and was killed in action on. 26th September.

From Lieut. Rawlinson’s orderly, Mrs. Rawlinson received the following letter, dated 27th September “Dear Mrs. Rawlinson - Ere this arrives you will no doubt have received news of your dear son’s death. Being his servant I was much in contact with him. I feel it my duty to let you know he will be greatly missed by all those that knew him. He died a soldier’s death right in the battle front. It must be some satisfaction to you to know that he died doing his duty nobly, and that death was almost instantaneous. If it is not asking too much, I would like a small photograph of him.”

See also Market Rasen St Thomas Memorial

Private 1167, South Nottinghamshire Hussarswho died on Thursday, 5th October 1916. Age 19. Enlisted and resident Nottingham. Son of Sarah Taylor, of Winthorpe Bungalow, Skegness, Lincs., and the late J. J. Taylor. Native of Nottingham. Buried in Salonika (Lembet Road) Military Cemetery, Greece. Grave 525

School Admissions Book:
“Taylor, George Albert. Born 16th July 1897, entered the school 16th June 1907, son of Mrs. Sarah Taylor of Sandiacre, Nottinghamshire. Left Christmas 1910.”

De Astonian Magazine Page 99
“George Albert Taylor (Bert) died of dysentery in the 1st Canadian Stationary Hospital ant Salonica, on October 16th 1916. At the age of seventeen he joined the South Notts. Hussars at the outbreak of te war. He went with his Regiment to Egypt in May last year, and some months later to Salonica. No further information is to hand with regard to his military career, but his death appears to have been very sudden, as a letter was received from him after the sad news had reached his home, saying that he was in good health. We wish to express our sympathy with his relations and friends.

G.A. Taylor was at De Aston from June 1907 until December 1910. He was only 19 when he died. Two of his brothers, Horace and Charles, also old De Astonian, are at present in the Army.”

Lieutenant 3rd Battalion attached 1st Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment who was killed in action on Tuesday, 8th October 1918. Age 22. Son of Arthur John and Charlotte Wheatley Tillett, of "The Chestnuts," Market Rasen, Lincs. Buried in Prospect Hill Cemetery, Gouy, Aisne, France. Plot V. Row B. Grave 7.

School Admissions Book:
“Tillett, John Edward, born 4th December 1895, admitted September 21st 1905, son of A.J.Tillett, Brewery Manager of Market Rasen. Left Easter 1912. Killed in Action.”

Page 196 De Astonian Magazine
“Another gallant De Astonian has made the supreme sacrifice, Lieut John Edward Tillet, of the Lincolnshire Regiment (special reserve), the only son of Mr Arthur J. and Mrs Tillett,with whom much sympathy is felt in their great loss.

Lieut. Tillett was, in truth, a soldier, and was beloved by those who had the good fortune to serve under him. The true qualities of an officer are very speedily seen by the men serving under him, and appreciated accordingly, with the result that the men give of their best and try to to emulate their officer in those attributes which make for military efficiency. Such an officer was Lieut. J.E.Tillett, who was killed in action on 8th October last, and whose death is deplored by a large circle of friends.

Lieut. Tillett was educated at De Aston Grammar School, and in 1912 was articled to Mr. A.A. Padley, solicitor. On the outbreak of the war he joined a voluntary corps of young men who commenced their training at the Old Victoria Foundry, all the members of which joined H.M. Forces. The deceased was attached for training to a Territorial Regiment on his 19th birthday, 1914, and was eventually gazetted in April 1915 to the Lincolnshire Regiment (Special Reserve of Officers) as 2nd Lieutenant.

In the same year he was attached to one of the Line Battalions of the Regiment in which he served 1915-1917 and this year on various parts of the Western Front. In the early part of 1916 he was machine gun officer to his Battalion, and was promoted Lieutenant in January 1917.

Lieut. Tillett was invalided home after the rigors of the 1916-17 winter, and during his period of light duty commanded a Company of a Battalion of the Suffolk Regiment, after which he returned to France to rejoin his old Battalion.

He was wounded near Rheims on the 29th May last, on the same morning that his old schoolfellow, Lieut. J. Gilbert Pippett, M.M., who was with him at the time, was killed. After a period of convalescence Lieut. Tillett rejoined his Regiment again and unfortunately met his death as stated previously.”

See also Market Rasen St Thomas Memorial

Private 28215, "E" Company, 10th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment who was killed in action on Wednesday, 6 November 1918. Age 36. Born at Halton, enlisted Lincoln. Son of John and Mary Topliss; husband of Beatrice M. Tideswell (formerly Topliss), of Budby, Ellerton, Newark, Notts. Buried in Poznan Old Garrison Cemetery, Poland. Plot IV. Row A. Grave 5.

School Admissions Book:
“Topliss, Basil Hubert, born 3 May 1892, admitted 27 June 1906, son of John George Topliss, Grocer of Queen Street, Market Rasen. Left Midsummer 1909. Killed in Action.”

Page 99 De Astonian Magazine:
Basil Hubert Topliss was killed in an attack on a German Trench on 21st November, 1916. He joined the forces in November of last year, being attached to the 4th Lincolnshire Regiment. He underwent training at Grantham and Nottingham, and was subsequently at Saltfleetby.

He was transferred to the Royal Sussex Regiment at the beginning of September this year, and was included in a draft for the front almost immediately. We wish to express our great sympathy with his relations and friends.”

See also Market Rasen St Thomas Memorial and Market Rasen Methodist Memorial

Captain acting Lieutenant Colonel Commanding, 4th Battalion attached from 6th Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps who was killed in action on Thursday, 7 November 1918. Age 32. Son of the Rev. A. W. and Mrs. L. K. Tryon, of Middle Rasen, Market Rasen, Lincs. Awarded the Military Cross (M.C.). Buried in In South-East part of St. Remy-Chausee Communal Cemetery, Nord, France.

School Admissions Book:
“Tryon, George Arthur. Admitted aged 11 on 23rd September 1897, son of Rev. A.W.Tryon, of Middle Rasen Vicarage. Left Christmas 190?. Killed in Action.”

De Astonian Magazine. Christmas 1918. Page 195
Our hearts go out to Mrs. Tryon, widow of the late Rev. A.W.Tryon, Vicar of Middle Rasen, in the great and incomparable loss she has sustained in the death of her gallant son, Major George Arthur Tryon, M.C., of the King’s Royal Rifles, who was killed in action in France on the 7th of November, in his 33rd year. Mrs. Tryon, like many Mothers in this country, had, upon the cessation of hostilities, been looking forward to her son’s speedy return when she received the sad news, and her sorrow at the loss of her only surviving son is shared by a wide circle of friends. Major Tryon was one of the most un-assuming of men, but he possessed all the soldierly attributes which make the British officer second to none in the whole world. He was a grandson of General Tryon of the 43rd Regiment, and of the Rev. Thomas Wimberley Mossman, Rector of West Torrington.

Major Tryon began his education at De Aston School, and afterwards went to Uppingham, from which School he gained a Scholarship at Pembroke College, Cambridge, coming out 20th Wrangler on taking his degree in 1908. Shortly after he was given the responsible post of House Master at Oundle School by Mr. F. W. Sanderson, the Head Master. Major Tryon was in the O.T.C at Uppingham and Cambridge, rising to the rank of Captain. On the declaration of war he at once volunteered for service and was given a commission, with rank of Captain in the 6th Battalion, K.R.R.C. He was on home service for a short time at Sheerness, going on active service to France in October 1914. He was wounded on January 1st 1915. After recovering he saw service in France again for a short time, proceeding from there to Salonica, where he remained nearly three years. During that period he received the Military Cross and was for a time in command of his Battalion. In July last he returned to France and there was promoted to the rank of Major. The following letter, received from his Commanding Officer, shows how much he was respected and admired by those with whom he was in any way connected in his military career.

Page 216 of the De Astonian Magazine
“The following is from the pen of the late major G A Tryon (whose death we recently recorded) on seeing in the Times the death of one of his boys.

A SCHOOLMASTERS THOUGHTS

Another gone! The well known name,
And then , the all to brief career,
His home, his school, athletic fame
''In action'‘ in his nineteenth year.
 
Salt of the earth were such as he,
Whose like no other age has bred,
What futures we had looked to see!
But ''Killed in action'', they are dead.
 
Was it in vain we wrought and they,
Character strong and true to build,
Fit their part in the world to play
Through life's long years, had god so willed?
 
'Twas not in vain : they've played their part,
Example set of highest worth;
Their country took from them new heart,
It saw the sons of God on earth.
 
Their lives were long enough to leave
A trail of blessing in their wake,
And so we have no right to grieve
Nor count them lost -'tis but a break.
 
For humbly we may dare to think
Each death means one friend the more,
Who when 'tis ours to cross the brink,
Will greet us on the further shore.
Salonica , 1916

Captain G.A. Tryon Page 164-165 De Astonian Magazine:
“Captain Tryon was a house master at Oundle school when war broke out.He was at that time captain in the school O.T.C., and he immediately volunteered for service and was granted a commission in the K.R.R.C.He was soon sent to France;had he gone there 24 hours earlier he would have qualified for the much coveted "Mons Star", He was wounded at La Bassee on New Years Day, 1915 and invalided home.After his recovery he saw service again in France for a few months, then his battalion was ordered to Salonica,where he still is. While out there he was mentioned in dispatches and subsequently awarded the Military Cross. Unfortunately further particulars as to the acts of gallantry which earned him this distinction are lacking. In his letters home Capt. Tryon gives various interesting facts referring to life in Macedonia, as for instance that he and his men were at one time trying to make a decent road of the one travelled by St.Paul in his last missionary journey;he remarks that had the old saint passed by he would probably have been taken for a spy. In a description of a Greek monastery he mentions that in all the beautiful frescoes on the walls the figures had had the eyes scratched out by the Turks in one of their wars.

The following lines, which were written by Captain Tryon while on active service, will, we feel sure, appeal to all our readers.

A SCHOOL HYMN IN WAR TIME
O Father, hear us when we pray,
For those,our brothers, who have knelt,
Where we now kneel; by them to-day,
Be thy uplifting presence felt,

In dangers whatsoe'er they stand,
Where wounds and death are ever near,
Give each,at sea, in air,on land,
A heart that knows no thought of fear.

When issues full of fate depend,
On swift decision in the fight,
Thy spirit for their guidance send,
In all things may they judge aright.
 
And when from stress of battle free,
They find temptations hard to face,
O grant that they may look to thee,
For strength and all-sufficient grace.
 
And grant that the thoughts of this our home,
Enshrined in our hearts and theirs,
To high ideals inspiring come
In gracious answer to our prayers.

Salonica, 1917 G.A.T

Letter from Commanding Officer

“Dear Mrs Tryon, I cannot explain to you in a letter how deeply grieved I am to inform you that your son was killed by a bullet on the day before yesterday, during the attack towards Mauberg, near a place called St. Aubin. Death was absolutely instantaneous. We are burying him tomorrow morning at St. Remy Chaussee, and I shall attend the funeral. They brought his body here as we were relieved yesterday.

The whole of his battalion, officers and men, deeply feel their loss in his death, as he was most popular and trusted by everyone. At the time of his death he was leading his battalion, fearlessly and well – in fact they have acquitted themselves admirably, and earned great renown. He was in command at the time. He was an absolutely white man, in the best sense of the word, straight and true as steel, and I do hope the manner of his death, the pride and confidence everyone had in him, and the fact that he never once flinched in doing his duty, will give a very real consolation and comfort.

With kindest regards and very deep sympathy, not only from myself, but the whole of my staff.”

Private 2704, 4th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment who died of wounds on Friday, 5 November 1915. Age 23. Born and resident Lincoln, enlisted Luton, Bedfordshire. Son of Mr. and Mrs. F. Waller, of 65, West Parade, Lincoln. Buried in Calais Southern Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France. Plot A. Row 3. Grave 15.

School Admissions Book:
“Waller, Richard Maiden. Born 10 March 1892, admitted 19th January 1905, son of Mrs. Waller of Silver Street, Lincoln, left Midsummer 1907.”

Obituary on page 50 of De Astonian Magazine:
“R.M.Waller enlisted in the first Battalion, 4th Lincolnshire Regiment at the outbreak of the war. He was trained at Luton and Bishop’s Strortford, and left with his Regiment for France at the end of February. There, to judge from his letters home, he seems to have have taken every thing in true British fashion; he made the best of things and seems to have derived pleasure from his work.

On October 13th the Lincolns formed part of an attacking party, their objective being the Hohenzollern Redoubt. Waller was wounded in this attack on the right arm and in the chest; he received treatment on the battlefield and was then sent to the Lahore Hospital at Calais. There the bullet was extracted and for nearly a fortnight he appeared to be making good progress, in fact he was shortly expecting to be sent home. Complications, however, set in, and in spite of a Surgeon specialist going over from Boulogne to operate, he was unable to stand the strain, and he passed away on November 5th.”

Memorial notice on page 54 of De Astonian Magazine:
“Waller, Richard Maiden - born 10th March 1892, wounded in action 10th October 1915 - died in Lahore hospital, Calais 5th November 1915. De Astonian January 1905 to July 1907.”

Lieutenant, "C" Company, 5th Battalion attachedd 7th Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment who was killed in action on Saturday, 23 March 1918. Age 21. Son of John and Sarah Walley, of Wadingham, Kirton Lindsey, Lincs. No known grave. Comemorated on Pozieres Mmeorial, Somme, France, Panel 29 and 30

School Admissions Book:
“Walley John C., born 20 December 1896, admitted 16th September 1909, son of J.Walley, Schoolmaster of Waddingham, Kirton in Lindsey. Left July 1914.”

Letter page 103/104 of the De Astonian Magazine. Christmas 1916

“7th Battalion, The Leicestershire Regiment, B.E.F

Dear Sir, As it’s so near the end of the term I think it’s about time I wrote you a line to let you know of my whereabouts, or else perhaps the magazine will be going astray. I’ve been out here a little over three months now and I’ve come to the unshakeable conclusin that it’s abouttime this war was over. From the little experience of it I’ve had, it is decidedly “No bon” and I think the majority of people will be glad when it’s “Na Poo”

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.

I haven't seen any actual fighting yet, that is I haven't taken part in any of the great pushes, but I have become pretty well accustomed to the monotony of trench life. Where I am at present the greater part of one’s time is occupied in dodging “minewerfers”, “rum-jars” and “Charlie Chaplins” species of hostile trench mortars whose too near presence is most embarrassing. I have found my training in the “long field very useful in helping me to judge these Bosche souvenirs, and it is generally considered by far the best plan to get out well out their way. We take turns in doing duty in the trenches night and day, and I have been very forcibly reminded on more than one of my night tours of some of Shakespeare’s words. Wasn’t it in “Midsummer Night’s Dream” that Helen in her pursuit of Demetrius through the dark wood, speaks of inanimate things taking the form of live things waiting to do harm ? Now I’m not at all sure whether it comes in the play or not, but at all events it’s in Shakespeare somewhere. Well ! That’s how it is here at night. You think everything you see is a Bosche, that is of course if you’ve got the “wind-up”. The other night I challenged a post which was standing up-right from the parapet, and on receiving no answer was about to clinch matters with my revolver, when I realised I’d seen it there before and so I saved my ammunition.

Our opportunities to discourse in French are not very frequent, only when we’re lucky enough to get back into billets. Its really wonderful how well the French people stand hearing their beautiful language murdered, but at the same time they must have learnt a lot of good French they’d never dreamt of before.
You’ll be interested to know that while I was with the 5th I had the pleasure of partaking of some of Captain Barton’s wedding cake. At our company mess I also heard one of the Officers remark with regard to him that “the men adored him-they’d follow him anywhere. He was a fighter, not merely a doctor” I felt very proud to think that an old De Astonian was spoken of in that way. I must stop now, and trust this last term has been a most successful one in every respect, that the staff and all the boys are “A.1.” I suppose I still know most of the boys. Kind regards to all of them. I am looking forward to receiving the School Magazine about Christmas time.

With very best wishes, yours sincerely, John Walley.”

Page 116 De Astonian Magazine

“We have been much pleased to have letters, which we print below, from G Golland, and H Herring and J C Walley.

January 17, 1917

Dear Sir,

I am sure you will be interested to hear that last term's School Magazine has already been the means of bringing together two De Astonians , who are now spending a very enjoyable afternoon together in a small French town.

Lieut. Walley is hoping to come and see my entertainment tomorrow evening. At the present he is operating with a gramophone , so I am taking this opportunity of sending you a line. He asks me to say that he is expecting to come on leave shortly, and is sending his subscription as soon as he gets hold of an English two shilling piece.

With many thanks from us both , for the ''De Astonian,'' which we have each received safely, and with all the best wishes for the school,

We are,

Yours very sincerely,

HUGH HERRING
JOHN WALLEY

”De Aston Magazine Page 135

“Back in France

Tuesday, July 17th 1917

Dear Sir,

Just a line to let you know that I'm back again in this wretched place terribly misnamed 'La Belle France'! Give me 'Perfidious Albion' every time.

I was glad that I got over to see the old place. I have often left it with far happier feelings than I had last Thursday. You will be interested to hear that I came across the son of the late Mr Woodthorpe Clarke of Binbrook, when going up the line. He happened to mention Lincoln Cathedral, and I at once responded by asking whether he chanced to Know that district. He was rather astounded when I told him I had lunched at his house. I also told him that my most vivid recollections of Binbrook concerned the ''grub'' we got there. Please forgive the vulgar allusion, and believe me the happy moments that I was privileged to spend at De Aston always included meal times. I'm afraid you'll think my mind doesn't move on a very high plane, but I assure you that I have nobler instincts. Kindest regards and best wishes to all at De Aston.

Yours sincerely

JOHN WALLEY

“Obituary on page 177 of the De Astonian Magazine.

“Killed in Action.
John Clifford Walley

It is with great sorrow that we record the death of Lieut. J.C.Walley, the only son of Mr and Mrs Walley of Waddingham.

J.C.Walley was born in 1896 and came to De Aston in September 1909. He passed the Cambridge Local Junior in 1911 obtaining 3rd Class Honours, and he got the Senior with 2nd Class Honours in 1913 and again in 1914. He was a keen Cricketer, a bowler rather than a bat, though he headed the batting averages in 1914 with an average of 22.3 runs for 17 innings. In the two seasons 1913 and 1914 he took altogether 60 wickets at an average of 8 runs apiece. At football he made a fast and efficient outside left, and was a keen tennis player, coming out winner of the handicap in 1913, and runner up in the following year. He was a useful foreward at hockey. Walley was a prefect from Midsummer 1912 until he left in 1914.

On leaving De Aston Walley entered the teaching profession, being first of all stationed at the Wesleyan School, Market Rasen, and afterwards at Epworth Elementary School. From Epworth he joined the Artist Rifles O.T.C. in November 1915 as a Cadet. In June 1916 he was gazetted 2nd Lieut. In the 5th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment. He landed in France in September of t hat year and was attached to the 7th Leicesters with whom he remained to the end. On May 3rd 1917 he was wounded in an attack at Fontaine. At the beginning of March of this year, 1918, he receivedhis full Lieutenancy; and he died fighting at Epehy on March 22nd., aged 21.

The report given by his commanding-officer, Lt-Col. Warden, and countersigned by Lord Loch, Brigadier-General, and endorsed by him as a “Very Good Report 22/9/17” is as follows:-

“A very good type of officer, cheerful, and exceptionally smart at drill; has a very good military knowledge, especially musketry. Is keen and good at sports. Has distinct powers of command and should make an excellent platoon officer.”

The following is an extract from a letter received by his parents from Capt. Vanner, and dated April 5th. 1918:-

“He was killed on the morning of the 22nd March at Epehy during the heroic stand of our brigade. He held a post with his men until completely surrounded, and died fighting.”

Our deepest sympathies are with his parents in their great loss.”

Private, 17714, 1st Battalion, Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Regiment) who was killed in action on Sunday, 9 May 1915. Born and enlisted Derby, resident Lincoln. No known grave. Commemorated on Ploegsteert Mmeorial, Comines-Warneton, Hainaut, Belgium . Panel 7

School Admissions Book:
“Wybrow, John James. Born 21st September 1894. Entered School September 17th 1908. Son of Mary Wybrow of Ivy ? Cottage, Ludford. Left Easter 1909. Killed in Action European War May 1915”

De Astonian Magazine: Page 35
“In loving Memory of Private John Whybrow, 17714, 1st Battalion. Sherwood Foresters, aged 21 years, who was killed in Action, in France, on Sunday, May 9th, 1915.

“For his Country’s sake”

Copy of Letter received from his comrades at the Front: France May 19th, 1915.

"Dear Mrs Whybrow, I am writing you these few lines to you because it is my duty to do so, and not because I wish to hurt your feelings. Your dear son ( and my friend) was killed in action on Sunday May 9th 1915, during an attack by our Regiment on the German lines. At first he was missing, but since then we have found his body and have buried him in a Soldier’s Grave. Buried him where he died – right in the German lines and we fixed up a cross, “Private J.Whybrow, 1st Sherwood Foresters, RIP."

I can say without fear of contradiction that he was respected by all his comrades and others who came in contact with him, and when we climbed the parapet to charge he was one of the first to go over, despite the fact that the Germans had a Maxim Gun trained on us – and he lived as he died, fearlessly – for , out and in the trenches, he neither saw nor looked for danger, but always did his duty.

He told me to divide his parcels among his section should he get killed – and so I have fulfilled his request, and if I am not asking too great a thing, may I keep your photograph, as an everlasting reminder of one of the truest chums I ever had, because in your photograph I, can see his face, very plainly. All his friends unite with me in offering our heartfelt sympathy to you in your terrible bereavement.

I remain yours sincerely, - W.G.Turner, Post-Corporal, 1st Sherwoods.”

Sergeant (Observer) 1259839, 106 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Died 28 January 1942. Aged 21. Son of John George and Kathleen Dora Anyan, of Parkstone, Dorsetshire. Buried in Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, Kleve, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany. Plot 11. Row B. Collective graves 11-15.

probably Montague Valentine Bennett, Ordinary Coder P/JX 220456, H.M.S. Acheron, Royal Navy. Died 17 December 1940. Aged 28. Son of Reuben and Gertrude Ellen Bennett. No known grave. Commemorated on Portsmouth Naval Mmeorial, Hampshire. Panel 41, Column 1.

probably Frederick Charles Clarke, Sergeant (Navigator) 1463568, 625 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Died 4 May 1944. Aged 23. Son of James and Jessie Mary Ann Clarke, of Hackthorn, Lincolnshire. Buried in Trouan-Le-Petit Churchyard, Aube, France. Grave 4.

Sergeant (Pilot) 1062466, 21 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Died 12 October 1941. Aged 19. Son of Arthur and Mary E. Cocking, of Market Rasen. Buried in Market Rasen Cemetry, Market Rasen, Lincolnshire. Section 1. Church of England Grave 396.

possibly Arthur East, Petty Officer Stoker D/KX 81578, H.M. Submarine Usk, Royal Navy. Died 3 May 1941. Aged 29. Son of Arthur Henry and Emily Maud East, of Grimsby, Lincolnshire. No known grave. Commemorated on Plymouth Naval Memorial, Devon. Panel 51, Column 3.

Sergeant (Pilot) 745876, 9 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Died 22 December 1940. Aged 23. Son of George Percy and May Gapp, of Le Havre, France. Buried in St. Mary Cray Cemetery, orgpington, Kent. Plot E. Division 3. Grave 124.

Sergeant (Wireless Operator/Air Gunner) 654446, 47 Squadron, Royal Air Force. Died 26 March 1941. Son of Alfred and Clara Anne German, of Renfrew. Buried in Keren War Cemetery, Eritrea. Plot 2. Row C. Grave 11.

No further information currently available

No further information currently available

Sub-Lieutenant. H.M.S. Excellent, Royal Naval Reserve. Died 13 June 1940. Aged 30. Son of John Wilfred and Minnie Grant; husband of Elsie Grant, of Guisborough, Yorkshire. No known grave. Commemorated on Portsmouth Naval Memorial, Hamsphire. Panel 44, Column 1.

No further information currently available

No further information currently available

No further information currently available

No further information currently available

Sergeant 1482729, 82 TAnk Regiment, Royal Artillery. Died 25 March 1945. Aged 28. Son of Rudolph John Watford McKane and Mary Mortimer Dekin McKane; husband of Sylvia May McKane, of Paddington, London. Buried in Taukkyan War Cemetery, Myanmar. Plot 28. Row F. Grave 1.

probably Rowland Baker, Flying Officer 131374, 276 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Died 8 January 1945. Aged 36. Son of John Arthur and Sarah Jane Moore; husband of Kathleen Moore, of Middlesbrough, Yorkshire. Schoolmaster. Buried in Dunkirk Town Cemtery, Nord, France. Plot 2 Row 5 Collective grave 22-23.

Trooper 4808957. 141st (7th Battalion, The Buffs [Royal East Kent Regiment] Regiment, Royal Armoured Corps. Died 18 January 1945. Aged 23. Son of Frederick and Alice Myers, of Market Rasen, Lincolnshire. Buried in SIttard War Cemetery, Limburg, Netherlands. Plot/Row/Section K. Grave 17.

probably Jack Peel, Sergeant 1272896, 149 Sqadron, ROyal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Died 17 April 1941. Aged 25. Son of Walter and Grace Peel, of Lincoln. No known grave. Commemorated on Runnymede Memorial Surrey. Panel 50.

Warrant Officer 581416, 524 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Died 4 March 1945. Aged 26. Son of Wilfred George and Annie Pugsley, of Burton-on-Stather, Lincolnshire; husband of Beatrice Ada Pugsley. No known grave. Commemorated on Runnymede Memorial Surrey. Panel 269.

No further information currently available

Sergeant (Air Gunner) 1117198, 158 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Died 8 May 1942. Buried in Berlin 1939-1945 War cemetery, berlin, Germany. Plot 8. Row B. Joint grave 11-12. Details from North Lincolnshire Advertiser 6 June 1942:

WELTON-LE-WOLD
Missing. — We regret to report at Mr. and Mrs. H. Smith, the School House , have received official information that their younger son, Sergeant Roy Smith. R.A.F., V.R., wireless operator and air gunner., is missing after, operational nights. Sergt. Smith was educated at the De Aston Grammar School. Market Rasen, and later went to the Midland Agricultural College. After a short period with Messrs. Meson. Sons and Fuller, of Louth, he became costing clerk and surveyor to a government contracting firm, prior to joining the R.A.F.

Flight Sergeant (Pilot) 1450551, 166 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Died 20 January 1944. Aged 21. Son of George William and Selina Ethel Sutton, of Market Rasen, Lincolnshire. Buried in Berlin 1939-1945 War Cemetery, Berlin, Germany. Plot 9. Row C. Grave 19.

No further information currently available