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Thursday 7 May 2020 FROM THE SENIOR CHAPLAIN THE REVD. CANON ANDREW M. J. HAVILAND Thursday 7 May 2020 Dear Epsom College Community, Reflections from the Chaplaincy 7 May 2020 On 8 May 1945 the war in Europe ended. Families had lost loved ones, many communities were torn apart and countries ravaged. In Europe, it is estimated that at least 70 million people, military and civilian, were killed. At least 21 million people lost their homes and became refugees. As one commentator put it, "One million, six million, seventy million. Spoken or written, these numbers become ... incomprehensible.” Here at Epsom College during World War Two times were hard. The Headmaster, Henry Franklin, (who led the College between 1932 and 1963) would have known many, if not all, of the 151 Old Epsomians who died on active service. There were of course many who served and did come back. They somehow picked up their lives from before the war and carried on. It cannot have been easy. Indeed, I have heard many stories where people did not talk about their experiences until much later in life. Last week I referred to the idea of vocation – serving others before thinking of oneself. Today, on the 75th anniversary of peace returning to Europe, we remember the sacrifice of those who gave up so much. It is right to say thank you to all those who served and for the many who did not come back. With their example in mind, let us commit ourselves to promote a peaceful, harmonious and inclusive society. With best wishes, Andrew Haviland COLLEGE ROAD, EPSOM, SURREY, KT17 4JQ 01372 821288 [email protected] EPSOMCOLLEGE.ORG.UK A Prayer As we commemorate the sacrifices of the past, help us, loving Father, to make our future one of harmony and good will to all. As we remember, teach us the ways of peace. As we treasure memories, teach us to hope. Keep us ever grateful for the benevolence and service of others. Inspire us, dear Lord, to do the same. Amen Below are some stories of just a few of our community who served our College, the country and the world during WW2. Captain Archibald Menzies OGILVIE, MC, Royal Army Medical Corps Epsom College, Granville House (1928-1932) Archibald was born in 1915 and came to Epsom College in 1928. After leaving the College in 1932, he studied medicine at Christ’s College, Cambridge and Liverpool University. In 1939 he became a Member of the Royal College of Surgeons and a Licentiate of the Royal College of Physicians. He married Margaret Hatton in 1942. He was appointed Captain in the Royal Army Medical Corps and served in Burma attached to 2 Bn Worcestershire Regiment. In 1945 he was awarded the Military Cross. His citation for this rare medal reads: During the period 16 November 1944 to 15 February 1945, the work of Captain Ogilvie, who was Medical Officer to the 2nd Battalion Worcestershire Regiment, has been outstanding. On numerous occasions he was working in the foremost part of the fighting line often under heavy enemy fire. At Ngapyin-in on 22 January his battalion was very heavily attacked by the enemy prior to which they were subjected to a heavy concentration of mortar fire. The casualties suffered by the Regiment in this action were considerable, but this officer's skill and courage in dealing with them was outstanding. He worked coolly and tirelessly under the heavy fire tending the wounded with complete disregard to personal safety. He was always cheerful, and his bravery and conduct was an example to all ranks and in particular to his medical platoon. Again in the Irrawady bridgehead on 5 February, Captain Ogilvie repeated a similar action to that described above. The conduct and work of this officer have fully reached the standard of his corps, and his outstanding efforts and devotion to duty have saved his Regiment many brave and valuable lives. He was killed whilst giving aid to a wounded man on the 13 February 1945, aged 29. He was buried in Taukkyan War Cemetery, Burma, Grave 26 A 8 Lieutenant Henry (Harry) Noel EDMONDS, RN DSO; Granville House 1926 – 1931 Henry (Harry) was born on 25 December 1913 and was known as Noel to his family. He was enrolled into Epsom College, Granville House, on 21 September 1926. This was something of a family tradition as both his father (1893-95) and his grandfather (1863-66) had also been at Epsom. He played in the school rugby team and left Epsom College in 1931. He joined the Navy in January 1932. A year later he was appointed Midshipman to HMS Royal Oak. In March 1934 he was on HMS Devonshire in the Mediterranean. In May 1935 he began his course as Lieutenant in which he gained 4 “Firsts”. He was promoted on 1 April 1936, and served on a minesweeper, HMS Widnes. He then chose to specialise in submarines. He served on HMS Parthian in China and H28 in home waters. He married Phyllis Georgina Barclay Denholm in Edinburgh on 28 February 1940. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) in May 1940 for daring, endurance and resource in conducting hazardous and successful operations against the enemy in the submarine HMS Sun Fish. From 11 January until 12 August 1941, Noel commanded HMS L27; and from 12 August 1941 until 1 April 1942 he commanded HMS P36 (a submarine which was attacked and destroyed by enemy bombers). Noel was on the submarine HMS Olympus on 8 May 1942 bound for Gibraltar when she was attacked. Lieutenant James Michael MCGRANAHAN; 2nd Bn London Irish Rifles Royal Ulster Rifles Carr House 1935 - 1939 James was born in 1922 and entered Epsom College in 1935. Although reserved, he had good leadership skills and an impeccable character. He played in the College’s rugby team and was senior CSM. He was appointed House Prefect on one day and then made a School Prefect on the following day. He was appreciated by the whole community and was made Head Prefect. He left Epsom College in 1939. James joined the London Irish Rifles and was sent to North Africa. His brother Hugh Benson McGranahan followed him to the College 1937-1940. The Epsomian reports: “Lt McGranahan of F Company was killed in the early hours of 20 Jan 1943. He was leading his platoon during the attack on Hill 286. His CO wrote that he led his men most gallantly. His colleague said that “To us men he was a hero. We shall never forget his courage in the face of danger. He was more than an officer. He was our friend. He walked in front not behind and asked none to do what he would not do himself.” Tragically, James’ brother, Hugh, was also killed in the war. He was a Corporal in the 1st Northamptonshire Yeomanry, Royal Armoured Corps. Hugh died in Luxembourg on 12 January 1945 aged 21. Captain Hugh Hilton HUTCHINSON, Intelligence Corps Housemaster, Fayrer House 1939 Hugh was educated at Eastbourne College and went on to read modern languages at Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge in 1932. He became Assistant Master at Epsom College in 1935. He was subsequently appointed House Master of Fayrer House in 1939. He joined the Intelligence Corps on the outbreak of war. He went to North Africa, travelled to Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia, and went with General Maitland Wilson to Italy. He married Barbara Wigley in 1940. He was on a special mission around Corsica and Elba on Sunday 19 November 1944 when the naval seaplane in which he travelled failed to return. He and his crew were killed. Flight Lieutenant Denis Alfred BARNHAM, RAFVR Art Master, Epsom College 1949 – 1972 Denis had two great passions in his early life, aviation and art. He attended Holyrood School in Bognor and then Repton where his artistic talent blossomed. He spent his spare time making model aircraft. At 16 he learnt to fly and received his official licence to fly “all types of land rota-planes” in January 1937, a few days after his 17th birthday. In the summer of 1937, he was awarded a place at the Royal Academy School of Painting in London. In September 1939 he left the RA to join the RAF Volunteer Reserve. Denis met his future wife, Diana Frith, at a dance in the Officer’s Mess in June 1941. He proposed to her the next day! They were married in Jan 1942 by the Bishop of Lincoln in St Andrew’s Church, Redbourne. In April 1942 he was posted to defend Malta where he stayed until October. The strain of the Battle for Malta on him was enormous and it took him a long time to recover. He spent 18 months as a flying instructor before being posted to the Air Ministry’s Public Relations Branch in Mar 1944. He flew his last Spitfire in December 1944. After the war he earnt a living as an artist. In 1949 he took up a teaching post at Epsom College and shortly afterwards was offered the Head of Art post. An OE (David Anderson) wrote that he was a fascinating and inspirational figure. He was once telling a class about the magnificent cathedral at Reims in France, and mentioned casually a time in 1941 when he was flying with his squadron on a sweep over the town and broke away from the formation to fly down and get a closer look at the cathedral’s flying buttresses. The class was most impressed. At the College he ran the Arts Society, lectures, discussions and visits to galleries which made art real and a vital interest in the intellectual life of the community.
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