First World War Roll of Honour
On 22 February 1920, a memorial service was held for members of Downing College who died on active service, 1914-1919. Attended by members of the College and relatives of those who had died, the order of service from that day reads:
"Brethren, we are here gathered together as one family to remember before God those whom we have known and loved in this place; and who, by sea and land and air, have in this war given their lives for their country and for us. Sorrowful, yet proud, in love and in sure confidence, we are to commend their souls to Him Who promised: Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
We shall thank Him for their examples, and for the heritage which they have left us. And we shall beseech God for ourselves, that there may be between us and them communion through Jesus Christ; and that we, like them, keeping His works unto the end, may finally be numbered among those who have overcome, and are counted worthy to enter into joy of the Lord. These were Members of the College who gave their lives:
Robert Astley Franklin Eminson
David Jones Capenhurst Jenkins
Charles Thomas Alexander Tyndall
Arthur George Richard Whitworth
Frederick Thomas Austen Wilson
We also commemorate Joseph Andrew Martin Blogg, a servant of the College."
Following the service a memorial plaque was unveiled, permanently commemorating all Members who lost their lives in the war. The war memorial ends: "Their bodies are buried in peace but their name liveth for ever more."
This remained on display in the Hall until the Second World War, after which the tablet was moved to its current location under the western portico of the North Range. This location is especially fitting as responses to an appeal in July 1920 for ideas for a lasting memorial to those who had died had favoured a new building providing undergraduate rooms, although it was not until 1931 that the College began construction of the new North Range.
The following Downing member, Frederick Rotherham Cecil, is not listed on the war memorial. He is, however, commemorated on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website and more information can be found on Frederick Rotherham Cecil here.
The College Archivist is currently preparing biographies of all those who died during the war. These will be published and linked to the Roll of Honour above to mark the centenary of each of their deaths. An article on Downing and the outbreak of war is now available online.