Named below are the 24 Anselmiens who gave their lives whilst on active service in WWI and WWII
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Second Lieutenant Geoffrey Kenneth Appleton.
Pilot Officer Geoffrey Francis Disbury.
Lieutenant Kenneth (Ken) Costal Graves.
Gunner John Maldwyn Griffiths.
Signalman Frederick (Fred) John Harrison.
Lieutenant Hubert Charles Hooper.
Flying officer David Lillington.
Pilot Officer Raymond Herbert Miller.
Pilot Officer William Thomas James O’Brien.
Pilot Officer George Arthur Ratcliffe.
Sub-Lieutenant Frederick John (Jack) Stamper.
Flight Lieutenant Edwin Charles Thyer.
Leading Airman Guy Gordon John Warburton.
Flight Lieutenant Sidney Wetherall.
Lance Corporal T. Robinson
14 May 1915, Aged 20
Commemorated on the Helles Memorial, Turkey.
Thomas Robinson came to the University of Manchester in 1913. He was to study for an Arts degree whilst also preparing for holy orders. Thomas joined the Royal Marine Light infantry in September 1914 and fell in the battle of Krithia eight months later.
Lieutenant R.C.Allen
17 June 1946, Aged 20
Ramleh Cemetery, Israel.
Roy Allen was the Senior Student in Manor House (a hall wing) from October 1943 to March 1944 during which time he also completed a short course at the University of Manchester. He was killed in Operation Markolet (Night of the Bridges) when a charge he was disarming exploded.
Second Lieutenant G.K. Appleton
27 April 1945, Aged 20
Heverlee War Cemetery, Belgium.
A native of Cardiff, Geoffrey was also a talented musician. He was killed in Belgium, when the Jeep he was traveling in ran off the road following bad weather.
He is circled in the picture above.
Sergeant J.S Beech
3 October 1943 , Aged 20
St Mary's Churchyard, Lymm, UK.
Sergeant Jack Steer Beech resided at St Anselm's in the early 1940s whilst taking a short course at the University of Manchester. He was killed in a training accident over RAF Silverstone, Northamptonshire.
Pictured above: Jack Beech as a Sergeant Pilot prior to Commissioning
Sapper D. Blaylock
13 April 1945, Aged 21
Uden War Cemetery, Netherlands
David Blaylock resided in St Anselm Hall in late 1942, whilst completing a Short Course at the University of Manchester. He then became a sapper in the Royal Engineers. Having being injured in Arnhem, David was subsequently killed when the ambulance he was traveling in was hit by a shell.
Pictured above: Sapper David Baylock
Pilot Officer G.F Disbury
9 July 1943, Aged 21
Cambrai (Route de Solesmes) Cemetery, France
Geoffrey Disbury entered St Anselm Hall in 1940 but a year later left to join the Armed Forces, becoming a Pilot Officer in 1943. Geoffrey's crew were shot down over France during a bombing raid in July 1943. Of the eight men aboard, only one crew member, Frederick Smooker, survived. The rest are buried together at Cambrai Cemetrey.
Pictured above: Geoffrey Francis Disbury
Lietenant G. Fewings
1 March1946, Aged 22
Madras War Cemetery, India
Gerald Fewings was at St Anselm Hall between October 1942 and March 1943, during which time he completed a short course at the University of Manchester. Gerald fought in the D-day operations and was subsequently posted to India in 1946. He was badly burned when a charge he was deactivating when off and died the following day.
Pictured above: Lieutenant Gerald Fewings
Lietenant K.C Graves
15 January 1943, Aged 29
Tripoli War Cemetary, Libya.
Kenneth (Ken) Graves came to St Anselm Hall in the 1930s and served as President of the Junior Common Room in the 1935-36 session. He was later sports master at Eltham College, London, before joining the army in 1940. Jonathan Hunt, in his book on the Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry, wrote:
'Ken Graves had always been able to make that vital opiate, laughter... and was loved by all for it'
Ken was killed in the fight to capture Tripoli, Libya
Kenneth Graves pictured as president of the Junior Common Room
Gunner J.M Griffiths
7 July 1942, Aged 27
Caserta Cemetery, Italy.
The Warden was so impressed by John Maldwyn (Maldwyn) Griffiths' references that he waived the normal interview and admitted him straight to hall. Maldwyn resided in hall for two years but left in 1938 following financial difficulties. It is not known when Maldwyn joined the army, but he served as an interpreter with the 11th Regiment, Royal Horse Artillery, being taken prisoner in Caserta, Italy. Maldwyn became ill and died just two days after his 27th birthday.
Maldwyn Griffiths pictured above on the left with fellow anselmians.
Signaller F.J Harrison
March 1942, Aged 22
Commemorated on the Rangoon Memorial, Burma.
Frederick (Fred) Harrison lived at St Anselm Hall from April to September 1941, whilst undertaking a short course at the University of Manchester. He subsequently joined the Royal Corps of Signals but, following the retreat of the Allied forces after the Battle of Rangoon, was drowned in the River Irrawaddy, Burma.
Lietenant H.C.Hooper
14 September 1943, Aged 21
Fayid Cemetery, Egypt.
Hubert Hooper came to the University of Manchester from Alleyn's School, London, and resided at St Anselm from October 1940 to March 1941 whilst completing a short course. Whilst serving with the Air Formation Signals in Egypt, Hubert fell ill and subsequently died.
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Second Lieutenant H.J.Jordaan
21 April 1945, Aged 26
Mauthausen concentration camp.
Hendrick (Han) Jordaan was warned that his chances of surviving as a Special Operations Executive were slim. He went anyway. Han was parachuted into the Netherlands in March 1942 but in May was captured during the 'das Englandspeil' operation. Han was subsequently sent to several concentration camps and died at Mauthausen, just two weeks before the liberation. He was posthumously given the Bronze Cross, one of Netherlands' highest military honours.
Han Jordaan
Photo property of Joost Rethmeier
Corporal D.J.Kenner
8 September 1943, Aged 24
Salerno War Cemetery.
Cpl. Donald Kenner became a resident at St Anselms' in 1937, having previously attended Manchester Grammar School. He served with the Royal Corps of Signals and was killed in action when his ship was attacked near Salerno.
Pictured above: Donald Kenner
Flying officer D. Lillington.
9 June 1944, Aged 20
St Mary's Churchyard, Ruslip, UK.
David Lillington was a University of Manchester Short Course student who resided at St Anselm from October 1941 to March 1942. After completing his studies, he joined the RAFs 102 squadron, serving as Navigator onboard Halifax LW140. On the night of 8/9 June 1944, the crew were returning from a successful mission. Whilst flying over the Yorkshire Wolds their plane, diving to avoid hitting another aircraft, crashed into several trees. All seven crew members were killed.
Photo and caption courtesy of yorkshire-aircraft.co.uk
Corporal P.Liver
4 July 1944, Aged 21
Caserta Cemetery, Italy.
Peter Liver, a short course student, came to the University of Manchester from Clitheroe Royal Grammar School. He resided at St Anselm Hall between April and September 1941 and then joined the Royal Corps of Signals. Peter was wounded at the Monte Cassino, Italy, in March 1944 and died of his injuries several months later.
Peter is pictured above on the front row 3rd in from the right
Pilot Officer R.H.Miller
14 December 1942, Aged 18
Crookes Cemetery, Sheffield, UK.
Raymond Miller resided in St Anselm between October 1941 and March 1942 whilst completing a short course at the University of Manchester. On the night of 14 December 1942 Raymond took part in a training exercise in aircraft Wellington HF632.The aircraft crash landed in Kissing Tree Lane, Alveston, and all those aboard were killed. Peter is buried with his parents Edgar and Ruby at Crookes Cemetery, Sheffield.
Pilot Officer W.T.J.O'Brien
3 December 1944, Aged 21
Hendon Cemetery, UK.
William O'Brien stayed at St Anselm Hall between October 1941 and March 1942, whilst completing a short course at the University of Manchester. He then served with RAF 184 Squadron, which in winter 1944, was posted to RAF Warmwell whilst also flying to Volkel airbase, Netherlands. On 3 December 1944, William was one of six Typhoons travelling from Volkel to Warmwell. In bad weather conditions, two pilots were forced to land before reaching the English channel. William and another two pilots were killed when they crashed into a hill at Folkestone, Kent.
Pilot Officer G.A.Ratcliffe
5 March 1943, Aged 25
Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, Germany.
George Ratcliffe was a hall resident in the 1934-35 session. He later wrote to the Warden 'I shall always remember Floreat Aula Sancti Anselmi and all that it stands for'*
Having joined the RAF at the start of the war, George became part of 218 Squadron and piloted Stirling R9333. In March 1943,the aircraft took part in a raid over Essen, Germany, where they were shot down. All eight crew members were killed. Only in 1949, six years later, was George's body found and given a proper burial
*Roughly translating as 'May St Anselm Hall Thrive' Floreat Aual Sancti Anselmi is the traditional hall toast, given at important events. It is also written on the main hall entrance, where students pass it several times a day.
Sub-Lieutenant F.J.Stamper
23 October 1941, Aged 24
Commemorated on the Lee-on-Solent Fleet Air Arm Memorial,UK.
Frederick John (Jack) Stamper intended to be a teacher. He entered the University of Manchester in 1936, studying English, and lived at St Anselm throughout his period of study. In his third year he also served at the Treasurer of the Junior Common Room.
Jack was unable to be a pilot due to his poor eyesight but was instead assigned to 800 Naval Squadron of the Fleet Air Arm. Although Jack is believed to have been killed in a Crash over the Atlantic in October 1941, the craft and its crew were never found.
In 1957 Jack's contemporary, Thomas Lawrenson, dedicated the hall history book to his memory.
Pictured above: Jack in his uniform
Flight Lieutenant E.C.Thyer
14 August 1944, Aged 23
Rakowicki Cemetery, Poland.
Edwin Thyer came to the University of Manchester and to St Anselm Hall, aged 19, having been granted a bursary to study Modern Languages. The son of a Welsh coalminer, Edwin intended to be a teacher but in 1943 left the University to join the RAF 178 squadron. As part of its duties the 178 squadron assisted the Special Organization Executive (SOE) in supplying the Polish Home Army.
On the night on 14 August 1944, Edwin's aircraft (of which Edwin was the pilot) completed a drop over Warsaw. On their return trip over Poland, the aircraft was shot down and all seven crew members killed. They were buried together in Sikorzyce and later reinterred at Rakowicki.
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Pictured above: Edwin whilst a student at St Anselm Hall
Leading Airman G.G.J.Warburton
27 January 1941, Aged 21
Commemorated on the Lee-on-the-Solent Fleet Air Arm Memorial, UK.
Guy Warburton came to St Anselm Hall in the 1930s, having been granted a hall scholarship. He studied French and Spanish at the University of Manchester, with the aim of becoming a teacher. On completing his studies in 1939, Guy became a member of the Fleet Air Arm. In January 1941, he was aboard the SS Almeda Star when it was torpedoed by a German Submarine. All 360 aboard were killed. Guy's body has never been found.
Flight Lieutenant S. Wetherall
8 April1942, Aged 43
Taukkyan CWG Cemetery, Burma.
Sydney Wetherall lived at St Anselm between 1929 and 1933 whilst completing a degree in Science, with a particular focus on Chemistry and Metallurgy. He then undertook an MsC in Science with a special focus on medicine
Sydney then studied Medicine at Guy's Hospital, becoming an Assistant General Practitioner. At the outbreak of war, he joined the RAF and was later described as having 'displayed very highly commendable leadership and selfless service.... His energy in avoiding delay, his initiative, leadership and medical skill were all crucial in this success'
On the night of 8th April 1945 Sydney was walking with a friend when they were shot at by a Japanese soldier. He was killed instantly.
Pictured above: Sydney whilst a student at St Anselm Hall
Royal Marine T. Wood
5 April 1942, Aged 26
Commemorated on the Plymouth Naval Memorial,UK.
Also remembered on his parents grave.
Thomas (Tom) Wood resided at St Anselm Hall in the 1930s. During his time there he was an active member of the Rugby-Football XV and served as Treasurer of the Junior Common Room in the 1936-37 session.
Tom joined the Royal Marines in May 1940 and was subsequently attached to the Plymouth Division, joining HMS Dorsetshire in June 1941. In March 1942 HMS Dorsetshire was undertoing a refit at Ceylon when was attacked by a Japanese aircraft carrier. 1,122 men from HMS Dorsetshire and the ship sunk alongside her were rescued. Tom was not among them. His body has never been found.
In 1950 Tom's friend and hall contemporary Peter Psomadellis wrote to the Warden'Thomas Wood's death was also a shock and I still remember old Tom, quiet and placid and so very kind'
Pictured above: Thomas in his uniform
Lieutenant P.H.Woods
10/11th September 1944, Aged 21.
Commemorated on the War memorial at Cassino Cementry Italy.
Peter Woods was a hall resident from 1941 to 1942, whilst taking a short course at the University of Manchester. He joined the 4th Queen’s Hussars and was killed in Italy in September 1944, after volunteering to help another officer who, having abandoned his tank, needed to recover his papers.
Peter's body was never found.
Pictured above: Peter being reviewed by Churchill just two weeks before he was killed.