George Robson (FN 57-64) has discovered more about a name on the paneling in the dining room. A FACE TO A NAME.
“In September 2018 a plaque was unveiled during a special service in the Chapel held to mark the centenary of the armistice which ended hostilities during the Great War. Later in the day a dinner was held in the Foundation dining room, at the end of which another plaque was unveiled. This plaque listed the eight pupils who had beautifully carved their names on the dining room paneling and who subsequently fell in action during the Great War.
One of the eight - Captain Donald Neilson DSO MC - was highlighted in the first OSB bulletin of 2019 by which time a lot of details about him had been uncovered. Amazingly, he represented the school at cricket during four consecutive seasons. Donald is shown on the 1st X1 cricket team photographs for 1908, 1909, 1910 and 1911 each of which is displayed on the walls of the dining room. During the Founders' Day and OSB Day held in July 2023 a further discovery was made. A picture of another of the eight shown on the plaque to the fallen - P.T. Loft - was discovered on a photo showing the OTC squad of 1915. This photo hangs immediately next to the wall cupboard which is on the left wall of the dining room. Fortunately, the photo is annotated with the name of each pupil.
Percy Trotter Loft was part of a Bishop Auckland family as revealed in facts shown on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s website. Further information is to be found on the St Bees School Roll of Honour: ‘Second Lieutenant P.T.Loft: PT Loft was killed in action on March 21st 1918. He came to the Foundation from St. Michael’s College, Tenbury, where he had been a chorister. During the time he was at the School (1913-17) he took an active part in all School games, and was a corporal in the O.T.C.. He had a great love of music, and his musical abilities were turned to account at the School concerts and House music competitions. In his last year he gained an Open History Exhibition at Keble College, Oxford. He obtained his commission in the King’s Royal Rifles in August 1917, and went to France in October to be attached to the 18th K.R.R.C.. His division was sent to Italy with the Italian Expeditionary Force. There he was given a temporary position on the Brigadier’s Staff. Returning to France in March 1918, he rejoined his regiment a few days before the Germans made their great attack upon the British Fifth Army to which the King’s Royal Rifles were engaged and suffered many casualties.’
		Bishop Aukland War Memorial
He was taken prisoner and killed by a shell while passing through the German lines. He was known as a charming and gallant young officer. Percy’s name is inscribed on the list of the school’s WW1 fallen in the school chapel. He is also listed on a plaque in Bishop Auckland’s parish church and on the town’s war memorial in the market place. He had a younger brother who appears on the annotated photograph of the 1919 cricket 1st X1 hanging further down the same wall in the dining room. LEST WE FORGET.”
P T Loft and R E Gundry	A F Stephenson

Carvings in Foundation Dining Room - P T Loft, R E Gundry and A F Stephenson - From OTC 1915 Photo

 

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The St Beghian Society    
St Bees School,    St Bees,    Cumbria,    CA27 0DS.

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