Newly Identified Casualties Added to the Book of Remembrance
Since the 2014–2018 Old Sedberghian Club Pilgrimage three more Sedberghian World War One casualties have been identified. The School Chaplain, the Revd Paul Sweeting, has played an important role in ensuring that these men are remembered here at Sedbergh. In the summer he and his wife visited the grave of one, later returning with pupils. Paul has coordinated the adding of the names to the Cloisters, work which is planned for before our Remembrance Service this November, and has instigated the addition of the missing names of the men to the Book of Remembrance in Chapel.
The Book was a gift from Major General Michael Walsh, (SH 1941-44) and includes the names of the 460 Sedberghian casualties known to have died in the First and Second World wars. The calligraphy artist who created the original book was Terry Johnson. Earlier this year Terry, having been tracked down by Paul, undertook work to add the new casualty names to the original book. Terry’s skillful craftsmanship ensured that the latest additions match the style of the original text.
The casualties added to the Book of Remembrance are:
Captain James Fisher, Lupton House (1910-11), King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment, died 23.02.1919 in England of injury suffered during the War.
Examiner Humphrey. M. Thompson, Sedgwick House (1906-09), Aeroplane Investigation Department, died 28.10.1918 in England from illness contracted on service.
Rifleman George Windram, Sedgwick House (1895-98). Battalion 3rd New Zealand Rifle Brigade, died 12.09.1918 in France having been killed in action.
Due to the fog of war and having lost touch with many Old Sedberghians who were fighting in the conflict, the contemporary Sedberghian magazines did not record the death of all Sedberghian casualties. Over 100 years later information of some Sedberghians who lost their lives is only just becoming known to the School. It is possible that there are more Sedberghian casualties whom the School and Old Sedberghian Club are not currently aware. Any information about potential missing casualties is warmly welcomed.
