In 2007 the OWA commissioned a new memorial for the College chapel to honour and remember a further five Old Wrekinians who lost their lives in the service of their country or in a doomed rescue to attempt to save others.

The Malayan Emergency of 1948-60 claimed the lives of Roy Pickin [S.1937-41], Max Raingill [W.1947-51] and Edward Draper [Y.1936-41].

In 1955 a catastrophic explosion aboard a submarine and a rescue attempt in the depths of a farmyard well claimed the lives of Eric Rhodes [S.1943-46] and Mark Baker [W.1928-32].

In death all were honoured by Her Majesty the Queen.

With assistance from their respective families, I am now able to tell their stories which you can read about here. Simply click on the “Pro Patria” button on the main menu bar of the “Wrekin Connect” web site and follow the links.

In 1932 Mark Baker won the Metalworking prize for the construction of a working model steam engine which he then donated to the school but which has since disappeared. In 1966 when his son, Mark Alastair Baker [W.1959-63] left the school, his widowed mother donated a further model engine and tender, and which was accepted by the Headmaster, Robert Dahl. For a  number of years, it was displayed in his study and then it too vanished, in all probability going into retirement with him in 1971.

I would be interested to hear from any OW’s who attended the school in the late 1960’s and who had reason to visit the HM’s study [for whatever reason] if they have any memories of this model; his daughter is most keen to learn of its fate.

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In addition, the story of Harry Driver, an assistant master at the college from 1910-14, and who lost his life in 1919 whilst serving as part of the North Russian Relief Force, has also been published. A memorial plaque for Harry has now been commissioned by the OWA and will shortly be erected in the Chapel alongside those OW’s who fell in World War 1.

Jeremy Elsworth
[W.1970-75]

e-mail: propatria@wrekincollege.com

Note from Wrekin College/OWA: By emailing propatria@wrekincollege.com you agree to sharing your personal information (e.g. email address) and entering into communication with Jeremy Elsworth, who is an OW volunteer.