Boston - Grammar School - Old Scholars WW1

Boston Grammar School - Taken by Boston Gazette 11 Nov 1923

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Reference WMO/265596

Address:

Rowley Road

Boston

PE21 6JE

England

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Status: On subsequent site(s)

Type: Non freestanding

Location: Internal

Setting: Attached to a building/structure

Description: Board/Plaque/ Tablet

Materials:

Metal Brass
Timber Oak

Conflicts:

First World War (1914-1918)

About the memorial: brass tablet has been placed on the South wall of the Great Hall of the School, unveiled by Earl Brownlow

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BOSTON GRAMMAR SCHOOL

WAR MEMORIAL

 	The Memorial to the Old Boys of the School, who fell in the Great War, will be unveiled by Lord Brownlow, on Sunday November 11, at 3,30 p.m.
	The Committee earnestly hope that the relatives of those whose names appear on the Roll of Honour will be able to be present. All Old Boys are invited to attend.
							B. J. HALLIDAY. Hon Sec.
Boston Guardian – 10 November 1023 – page 6.



OLD BOYS’ WAR MEMORIAL

UNVEILING CEREMONY AT BOSTON GRAMMAR SCHOOL

 
Boston Guardian 17 November 1923

	It was extremely apt that the memorial to old scholars of the Boston Grammar School should be unveiled on an Armistice Day. In all, two hundred and fifty old boys participated in the Great War, in one capacity or another, and of this number, forty two laid down their lives. In order to perpetuate their memory, a brass tablet has been placed on the South wall of the Great Hall of the School, in which they spent their youthful careers and fitted themselves for service in their manhood. The memorial had been subscribed for by 125 old boys.
	On Sunday afternoon last, in the presence of a large number of parents of old boys and present scholars, the ceremony of unveiling was performed by Earl Brownlow, who wore the uniform of a Col. Of the Lincs. Regiment.
	Those present included the Mayor and Mayoress (Coun. And Mrs,  C. M. Wing), Mr. R. W. Staniland, Miss Staniland, Miss E. Staniland, Ald. T. Kitwood, J.P., Mrs T. Kitwood, J.P., Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Simpson, Mr. Cheesewright, Miss Cheesewright, Mr. Jos. Maltby, Mrs A. Maltby, Miss King, Miss Gregory, Mr. H. W. Burchnall, Mr. and Mrs. Brittain, Mr. and Mrs H. Pinner, Mr. R. N. Chapman, Mr, and Mrs. Waterfield, Mr. and Mrs. T. Comer, Mrs. C. Garnham, Mrs. B. J. Halliday, Mr. and Mrs. G. H. Claypoole, Miss Claypoole, Mr, and Mrs S. Lucas, Mrs. Harrison, Mr. and Mrs J. Smooth, Mr. and Mrs. W. T. Steele, Mrs. Allen, Mr. F, Thompson, Coun. J. Maltby, Major O. B. Giles. Coun. J. H. Tooley, Coun. F. Peck, Mrs G. Cooper, and Mr. F. Parkes, J.P. In addition to the above there was a splendid attendance of old boys of the School. Including: Messrs. B. J. Kent, Dr. R, Tuxford, F. Harrison, Edmund White, S, Claypoole (March), C. H. Adcock, S. J. Hurst, G. E. Hackford, F. Hardy. F. Allen, Capt. C. Mawer, R. J. Harwood, F. Bothamley, T. Yorkstone, H. Fountain, C. E. Pinches, A. C. Rysdale, Stuart C. Simpson, C, Gregory, G. A. Brough, G. H. Mason, Capt. J. L. Burchnall, M.C., J. W. Kime, W. Ingram, H. G. Woods, F. Day, J. W. Hickman, T. Ryan, N. A. Halliday, T. H. Lincoln, G. W. Langstaff, J. S. Budge, G. W. Black, E. Rough, F. O. Fountain, W. Mason, M. Moslin, G. Stray, P. Cumberworth. F. Mitchell, J. McGuire, H. A. Waterfield, C. N. F. Woodward, J. Mitchell, J. R. Anderson, S. Clifton, F. Clifton, A. Burchnall, E. Ward, C. F. Parkinson, A. L. Haynes, J. A. Parkinson, G. A. Tunnard, F. H Higden, J. Dion, F. Chester, F. Allen, C. Lefley, W. Holland, R. Sutcliffe, and R. Peck.
	There were also present the Committee of the Old Bostonian Club, who had made all the arrangements in connection with the Memorial Scheme: Mr. J. S. Towell, Major O. Cooper, Major S. C. Wright, D.S.O., Capt. H. C. Marris, Messrs A. Day, A. C. Rysdale, C. Garnham, J. L. Towell, E. Sutcliffe, J. Mather, and the Honorary Secretary (B. J. Halliday).
	Letters of apology were received for non-attendance from may old boys of the School, including : Professor A. J. Grant, Leeds University. President of the Old Bostonian Club; Mr. Wm. Scorer, Mr. N. C. Ridley, Mr. C. W. Adcock, Dr. H. F. Maltby, and others
	The proceedings opened with the hymn, “O God our help in ages past,” after which sentences and prayers were read by the Rev, J. B. Simpson, M.A., an “old boy,” son of the Chairman of the Governors, and brother of Capt. Eric Simpson, who was killed in the war. The Lesson, from the Book of Wisdom, was read by the Headmaster (Capt. H. H. Morris).
	The Vice-President of the Old Bostonians Club (Mr A, Hill) read the following:- “We unite in praise and thanksgiving for those members of our old school, who, during the Great War, died for King and Country, in France and Flanders. In Gallipoli and Egypt, in Mesopotamia, in this country, and on the seas, in the high cause of freedom and honour. At a call of duty they went forth gallantly to fight and die. Their renown receives today the tribute of our gratitude and reverent admiration. In this hall, where, as boys, they answered to the roll-call, we proudly set up their names in token of their worthiness and that all who come after may hold in remembrance their great deserving.”
	Then followed a list of those whose names appear upon the memorial tablet, and which are reported below.
“In Proud Memory Of
The Old Boys Who Gave Their Lives
In The Great War


 
Harry Kinley Allen		         Robert Henry Garnham		Eric Maudslay Simpson		 
Percy William Barrand		         Frank Green			John Robert Smith
Charles Henry Burchnall	         Arthur Wellesley Gregory		Meaburn Staniland
Arthur Chester			         George Elliot Hall		Geoffrey Staniland
Robert Leonard Chapman	         Donald Justin Harrison		John William Stephenson
Sydney Randolph Cheavin	         Walter Herringshaw		Leslie Miller Stubley
John Francis Cheesewright	         Albert Ernest Lucas  		John Stanton Thorns Thompson
George Henry Clayton		         Alfred Plumtree Maltby		Thomas Waterfield
Cyril George Stuart Claypoole 	         George Herbert Payne 		Alan Webber
Thomas Comer			         Henry George Pinner		Hermann Wedd
John Hurle Davies		         James Pocklington			George Leonard White		
Edgar Dawson			        Allan Edward Graham Porter	Charles Sinclair Wood
W. Stanley Dickenson		        John Edwin Ransome		Thomas Basil Wood
Sydney Wilkinson Flintham	   Herbert Rayson Sears		Henry Woods

This Tablet Is Erected By Former Members Of This School

	In the course of his remarks, Earl Brownlow said:-
	On this, the fifth anniversary of the Armistice, which brought the Great War to an end, we are met here to render our homage to the memory of 42 old boys of this famous old school, who gave their lives for their country. And to unveil this memorial tablet as a monument to their heroic sacrifice.
	I understand that about 250 old boys were engaged in the campaign, and that the school was represented in each of theatres of operations -  in France and Belgium, in Gallipoli in Egypt and Palestine, iv Salonica,  in Mesopotamia, in this country, and  with the Fleets at sea
	Few, if any, of these men were soldiers or sailors by profession. They did not hesitate or wait for compulsion, but they came forward cheerfully and readily to answer the call of duty, leaving their homes and families, and their businesses and professions, often at great personal loss. Imbued with the traditions, and by the lofty principles which they had absorbed at their old school- principles with which they were inspired, not only in the Schoolroom, but also in the cricket and football field; the principle of subordinating self-interest, and playing up for the success of their own side; the principle of risking all regardless of the consequences when the freedom and honour of the country is at stake. These men came forward voluntarily, and flung themselves into the conflict.
	And of these 250 old boys, 42, whose names are inscribed on this tablet, sacrificed ALL, and never returned to their homes again. Two of them, both sons of an honoured and greatly-respected citizen of Boston, were intimate friends of mine, who served with me in the old Lincolnshire Volunteers, many years ago. The homes of all these men are desolate. Their loss is indeed irreparable, but all those who loved them are justly proud of their gallant sacrifice.
	These men have set us a great example, which, I feel sure, will inspire the present and future generations of boys at the school
	This tablet will stand here as an enduring testimony of sacrifice and good citizenship, and it will serve to remind those who are here now, and those who come after, of the heroes who were here in this school before them.
	Whether you, or those who come here after you, will by called upon in the future to defend your country’s freedom in war, we cannot tell, but you should not forget that there are many other duties of citizenship beside military service, which you may be called upon to fulfil in the manhood that lies ahead of you: and the sacrifices of your predecessors, commemorated by this tablet. Will inspire to perform these duties patiently, unselfishly, and efficiently, keeping ever before you the golden principles of freedom, honour, justice and truth.
	These men, whose memory we honour today, appeal to you for loyal service to your country, whether in war or in peace, as long as you live.
	The following line, which appeared in the newspapers a few days ago, remind us that the opportunity is ours today to play our part honourably and unselfishly in our country’s service, and that those brave men who gave their lives in their country’s  service expect us to carry the torch which they have thrown to us	
		 What say the dead, who are at rest
		The heroes, true and brave?
		We fought our fight, we gave our best
		The cause of man to save
		God called us yesterday: we answered true
		Today this same great call is come to you.
		Nobis Heri, Nobis Heri, Vobis, Vobis Hodie

		Who lives so deaf as not to hear
		Those voices low by plain
		Who will not heed their call so clear
		The same cause to maintain?
		Of those who live who can refuse the trust
		Bequeathed by them now sleeping in the dust
		Nobis Heri, Nobis Heri, Vobis, Vobis Hodie
Wreaths were then placed on the Memorial by Mr. J. S. Towell, senior member of the Committee of the Old Bostonians Club, on behalf of the Old Bos; and Mr. A. E. Clarke, on behalf of the present scholars.
	This was followed by the Benediction and the singing of the National Anthem. The “Last Post” was then sounded, and so fittingly brought the proceedings to a con conclusion.
	“OLD BOY’S” IMPRESSIONS.
	If Sunday’s morning service to the fallen townspeople of Boston was impressive, equally moving to those privileged to attend, was the more private tribute paid at Boston School in the afternoon.
	The old hall was thronged as rarely before. The ancient walls with their more than three century old existence looked upon another historic scene – a further landmark in the history of the School. A wan autumn light filtered through the mullioned panes and lit but gently the reverential setting. The gathering was significantly silent-even greetings were whispered as though speech itself were an irreverence. Three generations were present-it was a great re-union, such a one that refutes again and again the suggestion of forgetfulness.
	Mingled with the young faces of present boys, were those of the past-old boys, who have long borne civic burdens of the town, old boys who had borne their share in the late calamitous struggle; proud scholars of a proud school re-united in common grief, The very air was charged with “Remembrance;” time was bridged; the past was but yesterday, the future only tomorrow. Then came the mingling of young voices with old, in supplication to the Great Healer of all troubles and griefs.
	The tender words of comfort, tenderly spoked by a son of the School, himself a bereaved one, himself tried and proved in the struggle, fell upon strained ears. The freshly awakened sorrow found consolation, where only it can be found.
	Poignant for old boys, was the voice of another, uttering names that fell in familiar manner from his lips. A very torrent of memories falls around the listeners, memories grave and memories gay-as the long roll continues, The voice betrays the feeling only too well; if his is the grief and sorrow, so also must be his proud knowledge of having greatly shared their glory. His was the task of moulding these, his boys, to men-and to men indeed worthy to be so-called.
	Names were spoken whose bearers had proved their sterling worth in varied walks of life. Others there were upon whose young shoulders also had fallen a man’s task. The youngest and oldest differed but in years, the same will to serve, and the same will to sacrifice, burned in all.	
	Such scenes as these re-open old griefs, and wound, anew, but though all the struggles a more uplifting pride in their achievements, and though our hearts echoes with a meaning new. “Floreat Bostons! Flores priores! Exemple qui dedere posteris”	
Boston Guardian – 17 November 1923 – page 4

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“In Proud Memory Of The Old Boys Who Gave Their Lives In The Great War (names) This Tablet Is Erected By Former Members Of This School

Names:

Harry Kinley Allen Robert Henry Garnham Eric Maudslay Simpson Percy William Barrand Frank Green John Robert Smith Charles Henry Burchnall Arthur Wellesley Gregory Meaburn Staniland Arthur Chester George Elliot Hall Geoffrey Staniland Robert Leonard Chapman Donald Justin Harrison John William Stephenson Sydney Randolph Cheavin Walter Herringshaw Leslie Miller Stubley John Francis Cheesewright Albert Ernest Lucas John Stanton Thorns Thompson George Henry Clayton Alfred Plumtree Maltby Thomas Waterfield Cyril George Stuart Claypoole George Herbert Payne Alan Webber Thomas Comer Henry George Pinner Hermann Wedd John Hurle Davies James Pocklington George Leonard White Edgar Dawson Allan Edward Graham Porter Charles Sinclair Wood W. Stanley Dickenson John Edwin Ransome Thomas Basil Wood Sydney Wilkinson Flintham Herbert Rayson Sears Henry Woods

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