Video - KES launch appeal to locate family of brothers killed in Great War
THE lives of 31 former pupils at King Edward VI School in Stratford who lost their lives in the First World War will once again be commemorated in a re-dedication at the school’s Memorial Library building in May.
In the months running up to that tribute, the school has launched an appeal this week to trace surviving relatives of three sets of brothers who were killed fighting for king and country.
In total, 31 former pupils and one games master died during the war and during the Second World War the KES sacrifice was to rise to 52.
Richard Pearson, KES archivist told the Herald: “We remember and honour all the brave young men who grew up at this school and were taught in the same classrooms and played on the grounds that pupils use today. We would like to hear from any relatives of the following three sets of brothers who died during the First Word War: Henry and Howard Jennings, Percy and Raymond Fisher and Frank and Albert Burt. Like all young men at that time they thought it a noble thing to do and the nation believed the war was going to be over by Christmas. We have to remember that most of these boys never experienced adventure and had never been abroad and probably had no knowledge of where they were going. They were fighting for God, king and country and that was the motivation. The sentiment was jingoism, there was family and peer support which is why we had the Birmingham Pals, the Coventry Pals, even whole streets and tennis clubs queuing to join up.”
The lives and the subsequent tragic deaths of those former KES pupils are recounted in the publication The Boys of Shakespeare’s School in the First World War produced by Richard Pearson with acknowledgement to fellow contributors.
The Jennings brothers lived in the Tiddington area of Stratford, the Fisher brothers were killed within a day of each 12th and 13th September 1916 and had links to Kineton and the Burt brothers were both boarders at KES. Those who lost their lives fought all over the continent of Europe and beyond.
On Saturday 12th May 1923, the War Memorial Library at KES was formally opened. It had been the wish of the headmaster, Rev Cecil Knight, to commemorate the boys who gave their lives in the First World War. Inside, there is a stained-glass window which still exists today showing Henry V praying before the Battle of Agincourt. It was presented by Mr and Mrs Howard Jennings in memory of their two sons.
Twelve military medals of the highest order were awarded to KES pupils who fought in the war including a Victoria Cross to Reginal ‘Rex’ Warneford and one hundred and eighty-one KES old boys served in the armed forces during the First World War which was a considerable number for a small school.
The re-dedication ceremony of the Memorial Library is schedule for Friday 19th May.
To contact Richard Pearson with information about the First World War KES pupils email rbp@kes.net or telephone: 01789 203104.
