Bradfield College Chapel Archive

Location: Bradfield College Chapel Archive, West Berks, RG7 6AU

A remarkable set of survivals all ex-Bradfield students, mostly in remarkable condition. Special thanks to Karen Ward for going to a huge amount of trouble sorting these out and the additional photographs of some of the boys. Huge thanks to James Kerr for the use of his exceptional photography and Sarah Wearne for additional assistance and allowing use of some of the material they have been working on. Also Ali for transcribing the reports and Jess for research and links . This is one of the largest surviving collections in Britain, only matched really by Cavendish, and Byfleet in terms of condition and quantity and Cheltenham Cemetery in terms of quantity (both to follow).

Bradfield College First XI Cricket 1911 Cyril Maxfield Dixon seated left


Lt F C Batty-Smith

Details on cross:

RIP

In memory of Lt F C Batty-Smith 13th Batt. Royal Fusiliers

Killed in Action June 4th 1916

Text type (e.g. hand-written, GRU tags, carved): Painted script in black

Cross dimensions (millimetres please)
Shaft Height: 698mm

Cross beam width: 615mm

Width of wood: 75mm

Thickness or depth:45mm

Circle plate (if celtic type)
Outer diameter: 160mm

Width of circle:  255mm

Thickness: 10mm

Other information
Mounting to wall:  Nails from front to back

Finish (varnish, paint, oiled, unfinished etc): Colour washed wood.

Condition (cracked, paint peeling, woodwork, damage etc): Varnish wearing off.

Notes and observations:

Ends of cross are rounded off to give elaborate finish,  metal tags affixed to rear as detailed above

CWGC

Francis Clive BATTY-SMITH died 4 Jun 16

Rank: Lieutenant

Date of Death: 04/06/1916

Age: 21

Regiment/Service: Royal Fusiliers, 13th Bn.

Grave Reference: A. 4.

Cemetery: DE CUSINE RAVINE BRITISH CEMETERY, BASSEUX

Additional Information: Son of Henry Batty-Smith, of 47, Campden House Court, Kensington, London.

 


 

Lieut. George Dudley Arthur Black

Details on cross:

1-A-12

I.W.G.C

22/BTN RYL FUSILIERS 21-6-16

Text type (e.g. hand-written, GRU tags, carved): GRU tags

Cross dimensions (millimetres please)
Shaft Height: 800mm

Cross beam width: 410mm

Width of wood: 68mm

Thickness or depth: 20mm

Other information
Mounting to wall:  Screw hole in middle of cross

Detailing: None

Condition (cracked, paint peeling, woodwork, damage etc): Plain Wooden Cross

Notes and observations:

Name Tape has disappeared. Contacted war graves commission and with date/regiment identified as Lieut. George Dudley Arthur Black who was at Bradfield

CWGC

George Dudley Arthur BLACK died 21 Jun 16

Rank: Lieutenant

Date of Death: 21/06/1916

Age: 20

Regiment/Service: Royal Fusiliers, “C” Coy. 22nd Bn.

Grave Reference: I. A. 24.

Cemetery: CABARET-ROUGE BRITISH CEMETERY, SOUCHEZ

Additional Information: Only son of the late George and Florence Black, of Richmond, Surrey.


 

2nd Lieut G.S.  Blake

Details on cross:

RIP Killed in Action

2nd Lieut G.S.  Blake RE 203rd Field COY Royal Engineers

Sept 5th 1917

Text type (e.g. hand-written, GRU tags, carved): Carved

Cross dimensions (millimetres please)
Shaft Height:980mm

Cross beam width: 755mm

Width of wood: 105mm

Thickness or depth: 90mm

Circle plate (if celtic type)
Outer diameter: 465mm

Width of circle: 465mm

Thickness:  45mm

Other information

Detailing:  All lettering beautifully carved

Finish (varnish, paint, oiled, unfinished etc):  Unfinished wood

Condition (cracked, paint peeling, woodwork, damage etc):

one small tag and evidence of another

Carved at top and cross beam ends

Notes and observations:

Incredibly heavy cross.

Most intricately cut cross at Bradfield.

CWGC

Geoffrey Stuart BLAKE died 5 Sep 17

Rank: Lieutenant

Date of Death: 05/09/1917

Age: 21

Regiment/Service: Royal Engineers, 203rd Field Coy.

Grave Reference: I. E. 3.

Cemetery: VILLERS-FAUCON COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION

Additional Information: Son of Sir Arthur Ernest Blake, K.B.E. and Florence Emily, his wife, of West Leake Manor, Notts. After leaving R.M.A., Woolwich, he served as Asst. Staff Officer to Chief Engineer, Third Army, subsequently joining 203rd Field Coy.


 

William Robert Aufrere Dawson

 

Details on cross:

Mostly illegible

A Dawson

“Faithful unto death”

at bottom of shaft on wooden block.

{Died 1918 not legible}

Cross dimensions (millimetres please)
Shaft Height: 150mm

Cross beam width: 530mm

Width of wood: 90mm

Thickness or depth: 45mm

Square plate (if supported)

Width of Square arms: 330mm

Angle of arms: 375mm

Thickness: 40mm

Other information
Mounting to wall: none

Detailing: very weathered and worn

Condition (cracked, paint peeling, woodwork, damage etc):

Horizontal cross beam is broken but held together by square plates/arms

Notes and observations:

William Robert Aufrere Dawson from college records.

CWGC

William Robert Aufrere DAWSON died 1918

Rank: Lieutenant Colonel

Date of Death: 03/12/1918

Age: 27

Regiment/Service: Queen’s Own (Royal West Kent Regiment), 6th Bn.

Awards: D S O and 3 Bars, 4 times Mentioned in Despatches

Grave Reference: XLV. A. 10.

Cemetery: ETAPLES MILITARY CEMETERY

Additional Information: Son of William and Ethel L. Dawson, of Cold Ash, Newbury, Berks.

 


 

LT C MAXFIELD DIXON

Details on cross:

Part of cross only

LT C MAXFIELD DIXON

1/4 BN YORKS & LANCASTER REGT

Photo by Karen Ward

Text type (e.g. hand-written, GRU tags, carved): Painted black no tags

Cross dimensions (millimetres please)
Shaft Height: shaft is not present

Cross beam width: 538mm

Width of wood: 115mm

Thickness or depth: 20mm

Other information
Mounting to wall: Incomplete Cross – No vertical shaft

Finish (varnish, paint, oiled, unfinished etc):  white painted wood

Condition (cracked, paint peeling, woodwork, damage etc):

Had assumed that a vertical shaft we have stating of wounds and 1/7/16 was with this cross for Maxfield Dixon but fear his shaft may be missing. The shaft is also wider than the one we have for Lt Dixon.

Notes and observations:

Cyril Maxfield Dixon’s school record says he was killed in action in 1915 so the vertical shaft we have is not his. The internet says Cyril died 30th August 1915. – KW

CWGC

Cyril Maxfield DIXON died 1 Jul 16 (Unable to match this date to the name)

Rank: Lieutenant
Date of Death: 30/08/1915

Age: 20

Regiment/Service: York and Lancaster Regiment, 4th Bn.

Grave Reference: IV. A. 31.

Cemetery: TALANA FARM CEMETERY

Additional Information: Son of Mrs. H. B. Dixon, of Downton House, Stonehouse, Glos, and the late Mr. A. E. Dixon.


 

Lt. V.W.D. Fox

Details on cross:

Lt. V.W.D. Fox

Irish Guards

RIP

18.5.15

(photo also shows Wickham’s cross)

Text type (e.g. hand-written, GRU tags, carved): Inked in black, very faded script. metal tags to rear help with name and date.

Cross dimensions (millimetres please)
Shaft Height: 900mm

Cross beam width: 560mm

Width of wood: 72mm

Thickness or depth: 20mm

Other information
Mounting to wall: Screw holes to top and bottom

Detailing: Simple cross but diamond cut to ends of shaft and cross beam.

Notes and observations:

Interesting this cross is affixed to the bottom of the shaft of the cross of Nigel Wickham  – possibly by the college while in storage/on display.

CWGC

Victor William Darwin FOX died 19 May 15
Rank: Lieutenant

Date of Death: 18/05/1915

Age: 32

Regiment/Service: Irish Guards, 1st Bn.

Grave Reference: II. A. 19.

Cemetery: LE TOURET MILITARY CEMETERY, RICHEBOURG-L’AVOUE

Additional Information: Son of Robert Gerard Fox and Emily Mary Fox, of 1, Harley Gardens, West Brompton, London. Native of Sandown, Isle of Wight.

 


 

2nd Lt. A.H. Hack

Details on cross:

In memory of 2nd Lt. A.H. Hack

8th Batt. K.O.Y.L.I

1-7-16

Killed in Action

RIP

 

Text type (e.g. hand-written, GRU tags, carved): Black painted with shadow detailing around cross

Cross dimensions (millimetres please)
Shaft Height: 670mm

Cross beam width: 660mm

Width of wood: 75mm

Thickness or depth: 50mm

Circle plate (if celtic type)
Outer diameter: 463mm

Width of circle:  455mm

Thickness: 20mm

Other information
Mounting to wall: None

Detailing: Chamfered  corners to shaft/cross beam

Condition (cracked, paint peeling, woodwork, damage etc):

Part of circle at the bottom broken where the word action is written

Notes and observations:

No metal tags or evidence of them

CWGC

Adrian Henry HACK died 1 Jul 16
Rank: Lieutenant

Date of Death: 01/07/1916

Age: 25

Regiment/Service: King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, 8th Bn.

Grave Reference: V. I. 18.

Cemetery: BLIGHTY VALLEY CEMETERY, AUTHUILLE WOOD

Additional Information: Son of Sydney J. and Ellen Hack, of The Knoll, Holmwood, Surrey.


 

Major NC Ingpen

Details on cross:

GRU

35

Major NC Ingpen 175- M G C

4-12-17

Text type (e.g. hand-written, GRU tags, carved): GRU tags only

Cross dimensions (millimetres please)
Shaft Height:625mm

Cross beam width: 415mm

Width of wood: 70mm

Thickness or depth: 20mm

Other information
Mounting to wall: Screw to top still in place

Finish (varnish, paint, oiled, unfinished etc):  Unfinished Wooden Cross

Condition (cracked, paint peeling, woodwork, damage etc):

Dusty but unpainted wooden cross

CWGC

Norman Cecil INGPEN died 4 Dec 17

Rank: Major

Date of Death: 04/12/1917

Age:  23

Regiment/Service: Machine Gun Corps (Infantry), 175th Coy.

Grave Reference: III. E. 35.

Cemetery: TINCOURT NEW BRITISH CEMETERY

Additional Information: Son of Arthur Ingpen, K.C., and Mrs. Ingpen; husband of Vera Ingpen, of Highmount, Guildford. (his brother is also listed as follows: Edward Lucien Ingpen Rank: Lieutenant, Date of Death: 10/06/1916, Age: 25, Regiment/Service: Northern Rhodesia Police, Grave Reference: 2. A. 6. , Cemetery: NDOLA (KANSENSHI) CEMETERY, Additional Information: Son of Arthur Robert Ingpen, K.C., and Mrs. M. E. Ingpen, of 13, Wynnstay Gardens, Kensington, London.)


 

Lt. D Trewartha James

Details on cross:

Believed to be Lt. D Trewartha James

KIA

13-10-15

Stu R Berks Regt

   GRU

    Plot 9

      D6

Text type (e.g. hand-written, GRU tags, carved): GRU tags

Cross dimensions (millimetres please)
Shaft Height: 865mm

Cross beam width:408mm

Width of wood:65mm

Thickness or depth: 20mm

Other information
Mounting to wall:  Screw and holes top to bottom

Detailing: Simple wooden cross

Finish (varnish, paint, oiled, unfinished etc):  Plain Wood

Condition (cracked, paint peeling, woodwork, damage etc):

7 tapes all still attached. Some splintering to wooden shaft edges.

CWGC

Derrick Vernon TREWARTHA-JAMES died 13 Oct 15

Rank: Lieutenant

Date of Death: 13/10/1915

Age: 26

Regiment/Service: Royal Berkshire Regiment, 5th Bn.
Grave Reference: IX. D. 6.

Cemetery: DUD CORNER CEMETERY, LOOS

Additional Information: Son of Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Trewartha-James, of 5, Chester Place, Hyde Park Square, London. Gazetted Sept., 1914.


 

2nd Lt. G. Rawnsley

Details on cross:

2nd Lt. G. Rawnsley

22.1.17

4th Duke of Wellington’s Regiment

Killed in Action

RIP

Text type (e.g. hand-written, GRU tags, carved): Black inked name etc

Cross dimensions (millimetres please)
Shaft Height: 1300mm

Cross beam width: 722mm

Width of wood: 140mm

Thickness or depth: 20mm

Other information
Mounting to wall: Hole for all mounting

Detailing: Black painting around edge of  whole cross.

Finish (varnish, paint, oiled, unfinished etc):  Grey/ white painted

Condition (cracked, paint peeling, woodwork, damage etc):  Faded colour

Bradfield College First XI Football 1912-13 Gerald Rawnsley seated right middle row

CWGC

Gerald RAWNSLEY died 11 Jan 17

Rank: Second Lieutenant

Date of Death: 22/01/1917

Age: 20

Regiment/Service: Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment), 4th Bn.

Grave Reference: A. 9.

Cemetery: BERLES POSITION MILITARY CEMETERY

Additional Information: Son of Mr. J. R. and Mrs. M. E. Rawnsley, of “Ashleigh,” Savile Rd., Halifax.

 


 

Lieut E J M Robertson

Details on cross:

RIP

Lieut E J M Robertson

70 Battery REA

Killed in Action

May 22nd 1915

Text type (e.g. hand-written, GRU tags, carved): Black painted script

Cross dimensions (millimetres please)
Shaft Height: 470mm

Cross beam width: 584mm

Width of wood: 72mm

Thickness or depth: 36mm

Other information
Mounting to wall: No evidence

Condition (cracked, paint peeling, woodwork, damage etc):  Unfinished wood.

Notes and observations:

Cross created by cutting in to vertical and horizontal wood setting into this cut so cross smooth to front – similar to corner joint.

CWGC

Edmund John Macroy ROBERTSON died 22 May 15
Rank:  Lieutenant

Date of Death: 22/05/1915

Age: 23
Regiment/Service: Royal Field Artillery, 70th Bty. 34th Bde.

Awards: Mentioned in Despatches

Grave Reference: 45.

Cemetery: BEUVRY COMMUNAL CEMETERY

Additional Information: Son of Dr. J. R. S. Robertson and Bessie Robertson, of The Lighthouse, Winterton, Gt. Yarmouth.

 


 

Lieut. Stockwood

Details on cross:

G.R.U

Lieut. Stockwood Household BN

14.10.17

Text type (e.g. hand-written, GRU tags, carved): GRU tags

Cross dimensions (millimetres please)
Shaft Height: 805mm

Cross beam width: 408mm

Width of wood:20mm

Other information
Mounting to wall: Hole in middle for mounting

Finish (varnish, paint, oiled, unfinished etc): Unfinished

Notes and observations:

Evidence of 2 other soldier’s tags originally on this cross now removed. Stockwood details in the centre of the cross.

CWGC

Lawrence Finlay STOCKWOOD died 14 Oct 17

Rank: Second Lieutenant

Date of Death: 12/10/1917

Age: 21

Regiment/Service: Household Battalion

Grave Reference: I. G. 10.

Cemetery: CEMENT HOUSE CEMETERY

Additional Information: Son of Samuel H. and Alice E. Stockwood, of Westfield, Bridgend, Glam.

 


 

Lieut. E.L. Warman

Details on cross:

 In memory of

ROYAL MARINE Lieut. E.L. Warman

Killed in Action

8-8-18

On bearer arms

ROYAL MARINE ARTLLY  B.E.F

Text type (e.g. hand-written, GRU tags, carved): Painted or printed in black.

Cross dimensions (millimetres please)
Shaft Height: 895mm

Cross beam width: 530mm

Width of wood: 64mm

Thickness or depth: 60mm

Other information
Mounting to wall: Long screw still in place.

Detailing: Rounded corners to cross. Diamond shape to overall shape

Finish (varnish, paint, oiled, unfinished etc):  White painted all over, distressed.

Condition (cracked, paint peeling, woodwork, damage etc):  Distressed but good condition

Notes and observations:

Cross has evidence of metal tapes on back but tapes no longer in place. Main shaft broken at back but held together by diamond network of wooden structure.

Bradfield College First XI Cricket 1897 E L Warman back 5th from left

CWGC

Edgar Leslie WARMAN died 8 Aug 18

Rank:  Lieutenant

Date of Death: 08/08/1918

Age: 38

Regiment/Service: Royal Marine Artillery, No.1 Gun, Howitzer Bde. R.N. Div.

Grave Reference: XX. E. 11.

Cemetery: BIENVILLERS MILITARY CEMETERY

Additional Information: Son of the late Mr. and Mrs. William Warman, of Stroud, Glos; husband of Glencora Isabel Warman, of 33, Junction Rd., Southsea, Portsmouth.


 

Capt. Nigel J Wickham

Details on cross:

Killed in action at ….

Capt. Nigel J Wickham

6th Btn The Connaught Rangers

18th April 1916

Capt. Nigel J Wickham on GRU tags at the back

(photo also shows Fox’s cross)

Cross dimensions (millimetres please)
Shaft Height: 1500mm

Cross beam width: 645mm

Width of wood: 72mm

Thickness or depth: 65mm

Square plate (if supported) most unusual

Width of Square arms: 370mm

Angle of arms:

Thickness: 20mm

Other information
Mounting to wall: None evident

Detailing: unusual design

Condition (cracked, paint peeling, woodwork, damage etc):  part of wooden roof falling off, white washed wood.

Notes and observations:

This cross has a diamond wooden square resembling markers out in the sea. It also has a roof structure protecting the text part.

 


 

Lieut E.W. Woodhams

Details on cross:

In Memory of Lieut E.W. Woodhams

Bedfordshire Yeomanry

Died of Wounds

December 11th 1917

Text type (e.g. hand-written, GRU tags, carved): 2 tags but text on front all painted black in capital letters

Cross dimensions (millimetres please)
Shaft Height: 1145mm

Cross beam width: 530mm

Width of wood: 70mm

Thickness or depth: 60mm

Square plate (if supported)

Width of Square arms: 400mm

Angle of arms: 90

Thickness: 60mm

Other information
Mounting to wall: Hole for mounting top and bottom

Finish (varnish, paint, oiled, unfinished etc):  Painted white/grey finish

Condition (cracked, paint peeling, woodwork, damage etc):  wood has cracked on square plate

Notes and observations:

Very solid made cross and structure

Other tags for soldier on rear

CWGC

Eric Williams WOODHAMS died 11 Dec 17

Rank: Lieutenant

Date of Death: 11/12/1917

Age: 26

Regiment/Service: Bedfordshire Yeomanry

Grave Reference: IV. B. 14.

Cemetery: TINCOURT NEW BRITISH CEMETERY

Additional Information: Son of William and Jessie Woodhams, of Rochester Kent; husband of Dora Sybil Woodhams, of “Meadhope,” Broadstone, Bournemouth


 

Unknown Soldier

Details on cross:

Part of cross only 

Of Wounds 1/7/16

Photo: Karen Ward

Text type (e.g. hand-written, GRU tags, carved): handwritten/black printed

Cross dimensions (millimetres please)
Shaft Height: 850mm

Cross beam width:

Width of wood: 145mm

Thickness or depth: 25mm

Other information
Mounting to wall: Hole to bottom

Detailing: Black writing on lower shaft but upper part missing

Notes and observations:

This is the vertical shaft for an old Bradfieldian for whom we do not have any further details at this time, other than the date of death and of wounds.


 

Unknown Soldier

Details on cross:

I.W.G.C

Metal tag only. No name.

Cross dimensions (millimetres please)
Shaft Height: 407mm

Cross beam width:429mm

Width of wood:

Thickness or depth:18mm

Other information

Condition (cracked, paint peeling, woodwork, damage etc):  Weathered with evidence of 4 other tags which were originally fixed to it.

Notes and observations:

Photographed by James Kerr but person whose cross it was was unknown but obviously an old Bradfieldian of Bradfield College.


Survey by: Karen Ward, Transcription Ali Treacy, Research Jess Macdonald, photography James Kerr, with thanks also to Sarah Wearne.

Date of Survey: 17/7/17