Six former pupils of Glyn School in Ewell who lost their lives in the Second World War are to have their names added to the school’s war memorial more than 80 years after their deaths.
The names were discovered through research undertaken by history teacher Alex Summers for a book marking the school’s centenary. The six men had been omitted from the original memorial, either because they had moved away after leaving school or because their parents had lost contact with the school.
A special ceremony will be held at Glyn School at 10am on Friday 13th November to commemorate the six former pupils and add their names to the roll of honour.
The service will be attended by Headteacher Jo Garrod, Helen Maguire MP for Epsom and Ewell, a former 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, pupils and relatives of those commemorated.
The six former pupils
Michael Daniell was killed in action on 22nd February 1941, aged 23, when his aircraft crashed while on patrol over the Atlantic. His family lived on Epsom High Street, where they worked as newsagents.
Henry Whitticks was killed in action on 24th November 1943, aged 29, while returning from a bombing raid on Berlin. His father was a police officer, and Henry also joined the police after leaving school. He had been an editor of the school’s first newsletter.
James Sherriff was killed in action following an aircraft crash on 18th June 1942, aged 24. He is buried in Epsom Cemetery. He came second in his form in 1928, and his family lived on Worple Road, Epsom.
Bernard Preece died as a prisoner of war in Japan on 12th December 1942, aged 25. He attended Glyn for two years. His father worked as a musical instrument manufacturer.
John Bury was killed in action in Greece on 26th April 1941. He attended Glyn for four years, and his family lived on Ferndale Road, Banstead.
Peter Poulten was killed in action in Italy on 11th December 1943, aged 22, while serving with the Parachute Regiment. He attended Glyn for eighteen months. His mother contributed towards silver trophies for House Cross Country and Cricket.
Remembering Glyn’s wartime generation
In all, 38 former Glyn pupils lost their lives during the Second World War. Around one in five pupils who started at the school between 1931 and 1933 died in the conflict.
More than 200 former pupils and staff served in the armed forces during the Second World War, while at least three members of staff also fought in the First World War.
Former pupils, staff, parents and the wider school community have contributed donations to fund the new memorial.
George Howard, history and politics teacher at 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.”
The addition of the six names will ensure that their sacrifice is recognised alongside that of their fellow pupils, correcting an omission that has endured for more than eight decades.