Brass War Memorial Tablet at the north east corner of the main body of
the Church of St. Matthew’s, Warwick
Street, Rugby.
The adjoining window is
dedicated to/ the Glory of God and in loving memory of those/ who as boys at
Oakfield School, Bilton Road, worshipped/ in this Church and gave their lives
for their King and/ Country in the Great War 1914 – 1918.
2nd Lieut. G.Miller
Lieut. J.A.Maddocks
Midshipman A.W.Wilson R.N.
2nd Lieut. C.E.Crane
Lieut. G.E.F.Wise
Lieut H.B.Taylor
Lieut. E.S.Wise R.N.
Capt. A.Thackhall-Browett
Capt. R.A.Plimpton M.C.
2nd Lieut. L.E.P.Grubb
Lieut. J.J.Frost
Lieut. L.L.Greener M.C.
Pte. A.Ridley-Thomas
Sub-Lieut. E.M.Aron R.N.D.
2nd Lieut. Douglas Fitch R.F.A.
Lieut. G.S.A.White
Lieut. H.D.Loveday
Private J.Eaton-Shore
Capt. K.Lambert
2nd Lieut. H.Vesey-FitzGerald
Lieut. H.F.Owen
Sergeant A.Winter
2nd Lieut. R.Durno
Lieut. N.J. Bryce-Smith
2nd Lieut. E.W.Coren
Capt. Eric Sutherland Phillips
2nd Lieut. Curzon Jackson-Taylor
Capt. C.Rivers-Bulkeley
2nd Lieut. M.Richardson
Major C.E.Graham
Lieut. H.Morris
2nd Lieut. R.Bridges
Rev. T.E.Ross
Lieut. R.Case
Capt. G.C.Osborne
Capt. W.A.Peyton
2nd Lieut. A.C.Frost
Capt. A.V.D.Wise M.C.
Lieut. B.Muir
2nd Lieut. J.G.Caruth
2nd Lieut. M.F.Peyton
2nd Lieut. H.B.Lever
When recording this memorial for the War Museum I came across the
following information.
The Parish Magazine for February and March 1920 refer to the dedication
which took place on12th Feb. This was performed by the Rev. F C Okell, the
Vicar of Wrexham, Monachoram and an Old Boy of the School.
The Rugby Advertiser of Tuesday 17th February also has a
paragraph about the event and records that the Memorial was made by Messrs.
John Hall & Sons of Bristol & London.
Oakfield School was a private “Prep” school occupying a large house on
Bilton Road on the right hand side as you leave town and just before Bloxham
Gardens. The house still stands and is adjacent to the Co-op Funeral Parlour.
At the end of 1800’s the headmaster was T. Arnold Wise. An old directory of
Rugby Schools held by the Rugby Library describes the school as being ”Situated
on the brow of Bilton Hill on the outskirts of Rugby, about 1 mile from Rugby
Station. The playing fields, which are attached to the house are admirably
adapted for games are upon 7 acres. Dormitories and classrooms are large &
well ventilated & premises include gymnasium and workshops”
The school took pupils from about 8 years and upwards for entrance to
public schools.
Using the Commonwealth War Graves Commission site and the 1901 census, I
looked at 2 names on the memorial, Kenneth Lambert and James Eaton-Shore.
Kenneth Lambert died aged 28 on 9 May 1915 the son of Mr & Mrs
Lambert of Beverley. Yorks. He was in the 1st Bn KOYLI. In 1901 he
was a pupil at Rugby School with a brother.
James Eaton-Shore died aged 28 on 10 September 1916 the son of Mr &
Mrs Eaton-Shore of Garth, Milford, Stafford. In the 1901 census, James was at
home in Ditton House, Newbold Road, Rugby, with his family. His father was a
Manager at probably Willans Works.
Other members might be interested in finding out more of the people
listed on this memorial as a project.
Peter Davies