KSC at War

The King's School Chester and the First and Second World Wars: those who served, those who fell, and the history of the School c.1914-45.

[KSC at War @KSCWar]

After VE Day, three more Old King’s Scholars lost their lives and have war graves, the last being Captain John Vaughan Shepheard, RAMC, a promising medic who had trained partly in the USA. He died on 3 March 1946 and is buried at Phaleron War Cemetery in Greece. #VEDay80

[KSC at War @KSCWar]

Today for #VEDay80 we remember Trooper Alfred Kenneth Testi, Royal Armoured Corps, who died in March 1945. From Christleton, where his parents ran the Red Lion (now the Ring o’ Bells), after working for Shell-Mex he enlisted in 1943 & was wounded in 1944.

[KSC at War @KSCWar]

For #VEDay80, today we remember Lt John Brett Davey, who died in January 1944 aged 25. At King’s only a short time, he was educated in the main at @malverncollege. His parents lived in Broughton, Flints. He’s buried at @CWGC Minturno War Cemetery, Italy.

[KSC at War @KSCWar]

For #VEDay80, today we remember former pupil, Major Richard Henry (“Dick”) Dixon of the Cheshire Regiment who lost his life at Leros, Greece in 1943. He was posthumously awarded the MC for the action in which he was killed, ‘refusing to give up the fight & remaining at his post’.

[KSC at War @KSCWar]

Today, for #VEDay80 we remember Pilot Officer Campbell James Cansdale Walker #RAF, KS 1927-34, of #Mollington, #Cheshire, who died in January 1942, aged 24. He is buried @CWGC Amsterdam New Eastern cemetery. Pupils laid a wreath on his grave in 2022.

[KSC at War @KSCWar]

He dismissed his staff to their [life]boats. As the ship went down, he was seen standing stiffly at the salute, still on the bridge.” (3/3)

[KSC at War @KSCWar]

For #VEDay80 today we remember former pupil W H Kelly who, “Disregarding his 66 years…again became a Commodore of Convoys. On his last voyage in June [1941] his ship was torpedoed in the dark & quickly began to sink. Assisted by a signalman, he at once collected all his… (1/3)

[KSC at War @KSCWar]

…papers on the bridge. He declined to leave in one of the [life]boats, saying he would stay with the captain to the end. Then he borrowed a torch, went down to his cabin, put on his best uniform & returned to the bridge. The ship took a heavy list. (2/3)

[KSC at War @KSCWar]

Today we remember former pupil Private James Naylor Healey RAOC, who died aged 26 on 17 June 1940, one of those ‘who could least well be spared, and, just because they were of that kind, most generous of all that they had’ (C W Baty Headmaster 1930-47). #VEDay80 @kingsalumni

[KSC at War @KSCWar]

For #VEDay80 each day we remember one of our former pupils. Today, it is Flight-Lieutenant Guy Percy Robinson, killed in an air accident on 4 September 1939, aged 22. He’s buried at St Peter’s, Duddon. His 1930 class photo shows him centre, his form master, Mr Walsh, at the back.

[Brilliant Maps @BrilliantMaps]

Watch World War I Every Day On The Western Front In 60 Seconds

[KSC at War @KSCWar]

For #Dday80, some pictures of past school visits to Normandy when we remembered former pupils of the school who gave their lives in the cause of freedom. #DdayRemembrance

[Jon Copeland @jonny_copeland]

@KSCWar A few pictures of yesterday’s WW2 ration themed lunch to mark Remembrance weekend. Our pupils are incredibly fortunate to have access to a wide variety of food today, especially when we reflect on the hardships endured by people during both World Wars. Lest we forget.

[KSC at War @KSCWar]

You’re very kind once again. Really enjoyed it! Refreshing to visit the ‘near abroad’ that is Potsdam & to range across five centuries of history, involving French Huguenots, Dutch architecture, Mozart, the Red Army, the Soldier King’s Lange Kerls &, of course, der Alter Fritz.

[King's MFL @Kings_MFL]

A marvellous day in Potsdam led once again by the wonderfully knowledgeable Mr Neal (@KSCWar). Vielen Dank noch einmal, sir! @kingschester

[KSC at War @KSCWar]

That’s very kind. Wonderfully attentive students with many great questions. Future historians as well as linguists - a powerful combination!

[King's MFL @Kings_MFL]

This tour guide is excellent. Worth considering for your next trip @KSCHistory ???

[KSC at War @KSCWar]

@KSCHistory I see you caught ‘the Pope’s revenge’ beautifully in your photo of the Fernsehturm. 👏🏻

[KSC at War @KSCWar]

Visits to Ors Communal Cemetery today to see the grave of Wilfred Owen and to the Maison Forestière, where Owen wrote what turned out to be his last letter home. @KSC_English @KingsSchoolHead @kingschester @kingsalumni

[KSC at War @KSCWar]

Visited some 24/Manchester Regiment (Oldham or ‘Cotton Town’ Comrades’) graves, all men in Mr Walsh’s unit, one at Godewaersvelde and two at The Huts cemeteries. 3/3 @kingschester @kingsalumni @KingsSchoolHead

[KSC at War @KSCWar]

‘Following in Mr Walsh’s Footsteps’ then took us to St Omer, where he visited the ruins of St Bertin’s Abbey, followed by Cassel for a ‘then and now’ photo. 2/3 @kingschester @kingsalumni @KingsSchoolHead

[KSC at War @KSCWar]

Prepping for @kingsalumni 2024 battlefields tour, ‘Following in Mr Walsh’s Footsteps’. Former @kingschester teacher Mr Walsh (centre) returned to the Great War battlefields with some former comrades in 1939. First visit: a convent where an army course was done1/3 @KingsSchoolHead