George Robson (FN 57-64) has discovered the following:
“At the start of the year, George sent in a photograph of some medals that he had spotted in an auction house in York, which belonged to OSB, Captain D. F. Neilson DSO MC (1892-1918), who entered St Bees School in 1906. Neilson has previously been written about in the July 2017 Bulletin, as part of an article regarding the inscriptions on the panels in the Foundation dining room. These were carved by pupils who had served, but who had not lived beyond, the war’s end in November 1918 (See here).
	Unfortunately, the items belonging to Neilson found at the York auction house had already been sold to a private purchaser, but they included Neilson’s Military Cross (MC), the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) and a ‘Death Penny’ (i.e. a Memorial Plaque – Medallion, otherwise known as ‘Dead Man's Penny’ or ‘Widow's Penny’). Whilst at St Bees School, amazingly Donald Francis Neilson played for the 1st XI in 1908, 1909, 1910 and 1911, a rare occurrence to be a 1st team player for so many years. A photo of the 1908 St Bees School cricket team, taken from ‘The Story of St Bees (1583-1939)’ may be seen here. Other photos including Neilson may also be seen hanging in the Foundation Dining Room. Captain Neilson, D.S.O. M.C. of the Lincolnshire Regiment was killed in action on 15th April 1918 in the battle for Kemmel Hill, aged 25 years.”

 

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