Earlier this autumn, Old Brightonians were invited to visit the graves and memorials of former pupils who lost their lives in the First and Second World Wars, using the interactive map on Brighton College Remembers to guide their journeys.
The response was deeply heartening. More than fifty photographs were received from OBs, pupils, staff, and families who took the time to visit resting places and memorials both near and far. At the latest count, the graves or memorials of thirty-four Old Brightonians were visited in the weeks leading up to Remembrance.
These visits spanned the country, from Sussex to Hampshire, Surrey, Oxfordshire, Yorkshire and Somerset. Several members of our community travelled to the Lee-on-Solent Memorial, which commemorates those who served with the Fleet Air Arm during the Second World War, including three of our fallen: Anthony Clinch (Br. 1937-39), Gerald Wheeler (Ha. 1932-34) and Nigel Skene (Du. 1920-25).
Other OBs chose to honour individuals whose stories remind us of the breadth and depth of sacrifice across the two World Wars. Among these was Robert Lawrence (CR. 1937-40) , whose grave at Hull Northern Cemetery was visited; he was killed when HMS Express struck a mine in 1940. Another visit was made to the grave of Charles Stuart Tristram Piers (Ha. 1933-37) in Cheltenham, who died while serving in the Royal Navy in 1941, though the circumstances remain unknown.
Our First World War fallen were also remembered. One OB visited the grave of Keith Scobie (Ha. 1910-14) in Andover, a man noted for his modesty and courage; he declined a recommendation for the Military Cross on the grounds that he had done nothing out of the ordinary. His story, like so many, speaks quietly but powerfully of service and character.
Further visits included the grave of Douglas Prince (Wi. 1931–34) in Headington, whose identity as an OB was confirmed only in 2019 during research for Be Grateful. Alumni and members of the wider community also paid their respects overseas, in France, Singapore and Egypt. Among these international visits were the grave of Paul Franklin (Du. 1927-30) at the Bayeux War Cemetery and nine graves and memorials at the Kranji War Memorial and Singapore Memorial.
The College archivist is now gathering the photographs and accounts submitted, and these will soon be added to the Brighton College Remembers website, where they will form part of the permanent online record of each individual’s life and service.
We are grateful to all Old Brightonians who contributed to this collective act of remembrance. For those who were unable to visit a site this year, the invitation remains open. Whether travelling for work or leisure, we encourage you to consult the Remembrance Map and, if possible, visit a grave or memorial that may not have had a visitor for many years.
Visit the Brighton College Remembers interactive Remembrance Map
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Whether it is a photo, uniform, diary, or program from a school play, every piece of history speaks to our shared journey. The Brighton College Archive contains hundreds of fascinating primary sources and we actively encourage interested OBs to get in touch and arrange a tour.
If you have any historic artefacts, documents, or memories from your College days that you would be willing to share with us, please contact our College Archivist, Mr James Harrison.