In preparation for the centenary of the end of the First War, David Du Croz (CR 1996-2007) and others produced an extraordinary book entitled Marlborough College and the Great War in 100 Stories. During his talk in the Memorial Hall, in this week of Remembrance, David focused on the tragedy of the lost lives of some of the 749 Marlburians who fell in the great conflict. Tales of extraordinary courage and horror were mixed with accounts of interests, talents, passions and nobility, which drove home the unbelievable human loss. Many of the finest pupils Marlborough has ever educated perished in this war.
David’s talk mourned figures such as Bertie Prowse, Harold Roseveare, Charles Hamilton Sorely, and the Woodroffe brothers Leslie, Kenneth and Sidney. Their lives, along with many others, are profiled so movingly in 100 Stories. The pain suffered by those beaks who had nurtured so much talent was also underlined, notably the scholarly and long-serving beak John Bain, who did so much to nurture Sorley’s poetic gifts. The eccentric and inspirational history teacher, John O’Regan was also described. Of the 133 boys who were in B3 during his time as housemaster 31 lost their lives.
It was particularly fitting that the litany of names should have been presented in this, the building’s centenary year. David, with his extraordinary knowledge of this period of the College’s history, related the tragedy of those who fell with remarkable eloquence.
An online publication of the Memorial Hall be found on the College’s website, and Marlborough College and the Great War in 100 Stories (2018) can still be purchased.
Niall Hamilton
CR 1985 –
