Six former pupils of Glyn School, in Ewell, have had their names added to the school’s war memorial more than 80 years after they lost their lives in the Second World War.
The names of the former pupils were discovered thanks to research for a book about the school’s history to mark its centenary, being written by history teacher Alex Summers.
This year, a special ceremony will be held at the school at 1000 on Friday November the 13th to commemorate the names of the six men being added to the roll of honour on the school’s official war memorial. The service will be attended by Headteacher Jo Garrod, Helen Maguire MP for Epsom and Ewell, who was a Captain in the Royal Military Police, Mayor of Epsom and Ewell, Councillor Lucie McIntyre, Reverend Sue Ayling from St. Mary’s church in Ewell, staff and pupils and relatives of those commemorated on the war memorial.
The names of the following former pupils added are:
Michael Daniell: killed in action on the 22nd February 1941, aged 23, when his plane crashed while on patrol over the Atlantic. His family lived on the High Street, Epsom and worked as Newsagents.
Henry Whitticks: Killed in action on 24th November 1943, aged 29, returning from a bombing raid on Berlin. His father was a police officer, he too also joined the police after leaving. An editor of the first ever school newsletter.
James Sherriff: Killed in action after a plane crash on 18th June 1942, aged 24; he is buried in Epsom Cemetery. Came 2nd in his Form (III) 1928. His family lived on Worple Road, Epsom.
Bernard Preece: Killed 12th December 1942, aged 25. Died as a Prisoner of War in Japan. Preece was at Glyn for two years. His father worked as a Musical Instrument manufacturer.
John Bury: Killed in action on 26th April 1941 in Greece. Bury was at Glyn for four years, and his family lived on Ferndale Road, Banstead
Peter Poulten: Killed in action 11th December 1943, aged 22, in Italy, fighting with the Parachute Regiment. Poulten was at Glyn for eighteen months. His mother contributed towards silver trophies for House Cross Country and Cricket.
In all, 38 Old Glynians gave their lives in the Second World War, with around 1 in 5 of all pupils who started at Glyn between 1931 and 1933 losing their lives in WW2.
Old Glynians, staff, parents and the wider school community have all raised donations to fund the new memorial.
George Howard, history & politics teacher, Glyn School, said: “Over 200 former students and staff served in the military in the Second World War and at least three members of staff fought in the First World War as well. The school’s war memorial is a permanent reminder of their courage and sacrifice and, thanks to the dedicated research into the school’s one hundred-year history, the names of another six former pupils will be forever remembered as we add them to that roll of honour with a sense of deep pride.”
Helen Maguire MP, Member of Parliament for Epsom and Ewell, said: “As someone who has served their country, I understand what it means to put on the uniform knowing what it may cost. These six young men from our community made the ultimate sacrifice, and they deserve to be remembered alongside their schoolmates. I am very glad that Glyn School is making sure their names are never lost again.”
Researchers found that the names had been left off the original school war memorial either because the boys had moved away after leaving school or their parents had lost touch with the school.
