Second World War Roll of Honour
On 25th September 1948, a service was held in College for the ‘dedication of the memorial to the men who died in the war of 1939-1945’. The memorial was unveiled by the Master, Sir Lionel Whitby, and dedicated by the Bishop of Ely in the presence of relatives of the fallen and members of the Association and their wives assembled for the Annual Meeting. The Order of Service from that day reads:
“Brethren, we are gathered together as one family to remember before God the men of this House who in the years of the war laid down their lives for our deliverance and for the freedom of mankind: and to dedicate this place where their names have been recorded as a lasting memorial of their sacrifice. In so doing, we shall not fail to have in remembrance those who in the earlier war made the same sacrifice in the same cause.
We shall affirm our faith in the final sovereignty of God and after commending to his mercy the souls of those who died we shall pray that we who remain may prove worthy of the heritage which by their faithfulness has been defended and preserved.
Let us remember with all honour before God and Man the names of those who died so that we might live:
Francis Alfred George Lascelles
William Robert Humphrey Whiting
We also honour and commemorate a member of staff of the College Office:
In addition, H. G. Earl (1902) survived the war but died on board a hospital ship during repatriation after internment by the Japanese.
The memorial tablet was designed by Mr Bamford of Northfield and Company, Cambridge, and was cast in bronze by the Birmingham Guild. It was installed on the eastern portico of the North Range.
Individual profiles for all those who lost their lives are currently in the process of being completed and shared via this page. These are based on research undertaken by John Hamblin and more detailed information is available on request.
You can read more about Downing during the Second World War (with a link to the digitised history of 'Downing and the two World Wars' featuring memories of alumni) on the Downing in the Second World War webpage.
