The vast majority of those featured in these posts survived the war and many went on to live long and fruitful lives. These biographies allow you to discover those who went on to become professors, politicians, authors, Admirals, Air Marshals, Generals and in the case of one of the Skipper’s staff, Archbishop of Canterbury. Others had quieter or shorter lives and two of them were civilian casualties in World War 2.
To access blog posts featuring these people, click here. It takes you to the Index where clicking on any of their names will bring up all the posts in which they feature (albeit in reverse order chronologically).
Clicking on names in purple takes you to lengthier Wikipedia (or similar) biographies.
Alford, Vincent
After just one year’s service in the RGA at the end of WW1, Vincent had a varied career: 5 years teaching at RNC Dartmouth, 17 years with the BBC Schools Programme (mainly to do with War Reports & Forces Education) & 13 years with Ministry of Civil Aviation, ending as Chief Information Officer with the Ministry of Transport. Died, aged 82, in 1982.
Bagguley, Miss
After what turned out to be a 40-year-career teaching at the OPS (1889-1929), she retired to Leytonstone in Essex, where she died, aged 75, in 1938.
Poet Laureate (1972-84). His autobiographical ‘Summoned by Bells’ features several links to the OPS/Dragon. He was a life-long friend of Hum Lynam’s son Joc. Died, aged 77, in 1984 and is buried in Trebetherick, where he and the Lynams first met.
Behrens, Tancred.
A surveyor, he had served on the Anglo-German-Belgian boundary commission in Uganda (1902-6) and the Peru-Bolivia boundary commission (1910-11). After the war he served on the Austro-Italian boundary commission (1920-24). Died, aged 61, in 1939.
He was elected Conservative MP for Oxford at a by-election in June 1924, and served as a Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons from 1931. He had a heart attack and died while walking on the moors near Strontian, Argyll, aged 50, in August 1938.
Brooks, John
Having served in the Indian Army, he worked in the Indian Forestry Department, rising to be Chief Conservator of Forests, Bombay and being awarded the CIE (1945). Died, aged 73, in 1962.
Brooks, Tyrrell
MC, Croix de Guerre & Order of the Nile. Commanded his regiment (1930-32). Became an ADC to the King. Retired as a Brigadier after WW2. Died, aged 81, in 1965.
Budden, Eustace Blake
After the war, served as a Railway Transport Officer with the Allied Forces of Occupation in Constantinople. He relinquished his commission in 1922. Died, aged 81, in 1971.
Bye, Walter
DSO, MC. Returned to teach at the OPS (1919-20). Later Headmaster of Lord William’s Grammar School, Thame and then Skinners’ School, Tunbridge Wells. Died in 1956.
He ended the war with typhus and malaria and was invalided home. Awarded the OBE in 1919. He worked at Guy’s Hospital becoming a leading authority on “blue babies.” Died, aged 82, in 1973.
Campbell, Pat
MC. Went up to Brasenose, Oxford and then into teaching. Headmaster of Westminster Under School. Wrote ‘The Ebb and Flow of Battle’ (1977) and ‘Into the Canon’s Mouth’ (1979) on his experiences of the War. Died, aged 89, in 1986.
Carline, George
In the war he had worked for the Admiralty, Civil Establishments, Ministry of Shipping Telegraph Section. From 1919-26 he worked at the Pitt Rivers Museum in Oxford, as an assistant to the curator. He was the first president of the Oxford University Archaeological Society in 1919. He excavated with Gertrude Caton-Thompson and William Flinders Petrie in the Fayum in Egypt (1925-6). He was Keeper at the Bankfield Museum in Halifax (1926-32). Died, aged 47, in 1932.
Towards the end of WW1 he and his brother Sydney (see below) had become War Artists. Thereafter he continued to work as an artist and writer/administrator. He wrote the text for ‘The Arts of West Africa’ (OUP, 1935), one of the first studies of the indigenous art of Africa. In WW2 he worked for the Air Ministry on camouflage patterns, after which he became an Art Counsellor for Unesco & UK Vice-President of the Artists’ International Association, as well as establishing the Hampstead Artists Council (1944). He took exhibitions to China for the British Council (1957 & 1963). Died, aged 84, in 1980.
As a war artist, he was particularly interested in depicting aerial combat as seen from the air. One of his pictures, ‘The Destruction of the Turkish Transport in the Gorge of the Wadi Fara, Palestine, 1918’, was used by T.E. Lawrence in ‘Seven Pillars of Wisdom’. He returned to Oxford after the war, becoming the Ruskin Master of Drawing. He exhibited at the Royal Academy. He died of pneumonia, aged 40, in 1929.
MBE (1919). Hope Professor of Zoology, Oxford (1933-48). Carpenter is commemorated in the scientific names of two species of African reptiles: Chilorhinophis carpenteri and Kinyongia carpenteri. Died, aged 71, in 1953.
Carr-White, Reggie
MC. Also fought in 3rd Afghan War (1919-20) before retiring from the Army. Joined the OPS staff whilst taking a degree at Oxford University (1921). Played polo for the University for 4 consecutive years (1922-25). In 1938, he married Pug Wallace’s widow, Deta Sergent (sister of Noel, Victor & Dick). Left the OPS in 1941 to become a company commander of a local LDV company and then Adjutant of the 6th Oxford City Battalion Home Guard. Died, aged 72, in 1964.
Channer, Hugh
Order of the Nile; Croix de Guerre. Despite losing a leg at Gallipoli, in WW2 he served in the ARP Service, as Recruiting Officer for North Devon, then as Administrative Assistant in the 5th Battalion, Bideford, Devon. Died, aged 70, in 1948.
His obituary in the Daily Telegraph cited him as ‘the most dramatically impressive Commando leader of the Second World War.’ He didn’t equal the honour of the VC Jack Smyth had when presenting him with a school prize in 1920, but he did win both the DSO & bar and the MC and bar. Died, aged 89, in 1996.
Collier, Billy
MC. Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians. Senior Physician at the Radcliffe Infirmary, Oxford, and a rising bacteriologist. Avid supporter of the Balliol Boys’ Club in St. Ebbe’s Oxford. Died of “an illness”, aged 43, in 1932.
MC. Returned to his medical studies at Guy’s Hospital after the war, becoming Warden of the College in 1923. His ‘Text Book of Medicine’ (1929) brought success. Became President of the Assurance Medical Society (1937). In 1939 he became civilian consultant in medicine to the RAF. He was rewarded with a KBE and became an Air Vice Marshall. Died, aged 78, in 1967.
Cowley, Victor
DSO, MC. Career in the Army until he retired in 1936 as a Lieut. Col. Recalled in WW2 to command Swansea and the Barrow Garrisons. Died, aged 86, in 1975.
Denniston, Jack
Croix de Guerre; OBE (1919). Classics don and Fellow of Hertford College, Oxford. An editor of the Oxford Classical Dictionary and was a member of the British Academy. Died, aged 62, in 1949.
Drew, Greville
OBE (1919). Stayed in the Army, reaching the rank of Brigadier. Was Chief Administrator of Eritrea (1946-51). Awarded the CBE in 1950. Died, aged 70, in 1962.
Drinkwater, George
MC. Having achieved a rowing ‘blue’ at Oxford (1902 and 1903), he became the rowing correspondent of the ‘Daily Telegraph’ for nearly 35 years. Also an author, a portrait painter and architect of several Oxbridge buildings. According to his obituary: “Too old in this war [WW2] for the Army, he spent hours among the falling bombs and splinters, and was fatally injured on duty” dying, aged 60, in 1941.
Duckworth, Francis
Taught briefly at Eton before becoming an Inspector of Schools. When he retired in 1943 he was Senior Chief Inspector at the Ministry of Education and was awarded the CBE. Died, aged 83, in 1964.
Duff, Patrick
Principal Private Secretary to the Prime Minister for 10 years, serving Stanley Baldwin & Ramsay Macdonald. High Commissioner in New Zealand (1945-49). KCB (1932), KCVO (1937). Died, aged 83, in 1973.
Dyson, William
Went up to Balliol, Oxford in 1919 for one year. Became a schoolmaster and headmaster of Seacroft School (Lincs) and Norwood School (Exeter). Died, aged 71, in 1967.
Evans, Emrys
DSO, MC & bar. After the War, he was appointed Secretary of the London Brewers Council, and from 1920 was Clerk to the Worshipful Company of Brewers until he retired in 1947. Died, aged 90, in 1970.
CB. Promoted to Rear Admiral, 1st Battle Squadron of the Mediterranean Fleet (1924), he rose to being a full admiral and Commander in Chief, Mediterranean Fleet (1932) and Commander in Chief, Portsmouth, in HMS Victory (1936). Appointed GCB, GCVO. Died, aged 62, in 1937.
Fletcher, Leslie
Surviving brother of George & Regie, in 1921 he was promoted to Commander, on HMS Violent. In 1929 he was made a Younger Brother of Trinity House and retired in 1931, but joined the Coastguard Service, being an Inspector of the East Scotland Division for 17 years. Died, aged 78, in 1963.
Frere, Philip
MC. Lawyer with the family firm, Frere Cholmeley, writing a short history of the firm in 1950 (updated 1980). Died, aged 84, in 1981.
Freyberg, Geoffrey
OBE (1919). Stayed in the Navy: King’s Harbour Master, Plymouth (1921). In WW2 became Commanding Officer of HMS Hampton (1939-40), HMS Ausonia (1940-42), HMS Gosling (1942-46). Died, aged 85, in 1966.
OPS pupil (1901).
Gamlen, Jack
MC (1919). Friends suggested that “his function in life was to be an O.D.” He lived in the same Oxford house all his life and he wrote more letters and articles for ‘The Draconian’ than almost anyone else. In his work life, he became the University’s Solicitor and Registrar of the Archdeaconry of Oxford. His final years were dedicated to looking after his mother, who died aged 95 only 2 weeks before he himself died, aged 67, in 1952.
Went from OPS to Winchester and then to New College, Oxford. The General Strike (1926) awakened his feelings for the left in politics. Became MP and rose to be Leader of the Labour Party and Leader of the Opposition from 1955 until his death, aged 56, in 1963. (He was succeeded by Harold Wilson, who won the General Election the following year.)
Griffith, Rafe
A career soldier, he held a “special appointment” at Army HQ in Ireland for ten months up to January 1922 and shortly thereafter retired to the Reserve of Officers, at the same time serving in the Territorial Army with the 4th Suffolk Regiment. He rejoined the Royal West Kent Regiment in 1931 with his old rank of Lieutenant and possibly spent several years seconded to the Nigeria Regiment. Promoted to Captain in 1935 and Major in 1938, he served through the Second World War, retiring in 1949. He died, aged 83, in 1981.
Grundy, Leslie
Died, aged 82, in 1975
On his return from the war he became a Fellow of New College, Oxford. Elected FRS in 1932. In 1933 he became Professor of Genetics at London University. He continued his father’s habit of conducting dangerous experiments on himself, including being operated on without anaesthetics. In 1938 he wrote ‘A.R.P.’ – a warning as to what would be needed to protect the population from bombing. Politically left wing – he joined the Communist Party and was Chairman of the Editorial Board of the ‘Daily Worker’ (1940-49). In 1952 he won the Darwin Medal of the Royal Society. In a protest against the government’s action over Suez in 1956, he moved to India. He returned to England for a cancer operation, about which he published a poem ‘Cancer is a funny thing‘. He returned to India, dying there the following year, aged 72, in 1964.
Jack’s sister became, as Naomi Mitchison, a prolific writer of 90 novels. Also a feminist, campaigning for birth control. Appointed CBE (1981). Died aged 101 in 1999.
DFC (1919). His career in the RAF took him through to becoming Air Chief Marshall and Chief of Staff, Royal Australian Air Force (appointed by fellow OD, John Slessor – see below). His awards included OBE (1940), CB (1945), KCB (1952) and GBE (1957). He died, aged 83, in 1982.
Holland, Robert
KCIE (Knight Commander of the Indian Empire) and CVO. The founder & first editor of ‘The Draconian’. He worked for the Indian Civil Service before WW1 and served in WW1 as a political officer with the Mesopotamian Field Force. He returned to England in 1925 to be on the India Council. Later resigned and read for the Bar, to which he was called in 1930, aged 57. In 1933-36 he was Judicial Adviser to the Siamese Government. Retired to live in Canada, where he died, aged 92, in 1965.
Hoey, Trevor
Croix de Guerre. Died, aged 81, in 1976.
Hughes-Games, Claud
MC & 2 bars. He stayed in the army, becoming a Captain in 1920 and promoted to Major in 1932. Died aged 75 in 1971.
Hutchison, John
Died, aged 77, in 1960.
MC. He played hockey for Scotland (1922-24). Professor of Geology at St Andrew’s University (1936-54). Died, aged 73, in 1961.
Jacks, Maurice
Fellow of Wadham College, Oxford until 1922, when he became headmaster of Mill Hill School, aged 28. In 1938 he became Director of the Department of Education at Oxford, retiring in 1957. Author of several books, he displayed a belief in ‘total education’. He was also Poor Law Guardian and Chairman of the City Youth Committee. Died aged 70 in 1964.
He was a pacifist and joined the ‘No Conscription Fellowship’. A colourful and controversial figure throughout his career, he became the country’s leading popular philosopher, appearing on the BBC programme ‘The Brains Trust’ until sacked following his conviction for not paying for train tickets. Died of cancer, aged 61, in 1953.
Jolliffe, Norah
Academic. Senior Lecturer in Classics at Royal Holloway College, Director of Classical Studies in Classics and Archaeology & Anthropology at Girton College, Cambridge until her death at the age of 50, in 1951.
He commanded the 1st/9th Battalion Hampshire Regiment (1911-19). Served in the Russian Civil War and was appointed a CBE in the Siberian War Honours (1920). Called to the Bar (1919) and worked for HM Treasury, before becoming Deputy Master & Controller of the Royal Mint (1922). Appointed KBE (1928) and KCVO (1935). He died, aged 63, in 1938
In 1919 he went up to Cambridge and got a degree in Mechanical Sciences. He became an instructor at Cranwell and was later promoted to Wing Commander, then Group Captain during World War 2, finally retiring in 1960 as an Air Vice-Marshall. Died, aged 76, in 1973.
Knox, Ernest
DSO. Promoted to Colonel in 1920 and retired 2 years later. Died, aged 77, in 1949.
King, Cyril
After his return from captivity in Germany and a degree in Economics at King’s College, Cambridge, he taught at Bradfield and then Bedales. He spent a year teaching in a school in Whitechapel and became interested in Educational Psychology, studying it at London University. He then became an Educational Psychologist at the London and the North Western Child Guidance Clinics. In WW2 he worked with evacuees in Yorkshire before returning to Bedales (1942-63). It was said that “his wonderful success as a teacher was based on his great affection for, and understanding of, adolescents, and on his firm belief that the greatest help in learning was encouragement.” Died, aged 73, in 1970.
Laffan, Robin
Having been attached as a chaplain to the Serbian Army, he wrote ‘The Serbs, Guardians of the Gate’ which was published in 1918. He returned to be Chaplain of Queen’s College, Cambridge until he joined the Roman Catholic Church in 1933. In WW2 he served in the Royal Institute of International Affairs, then temporarily established at his old college – Balliol College, Oxford. Died, aged 84, in 1972.
Archbishop of York (1908-28) and Canterbury (1928-42). Played a controversial role in the Abdication Crisis (1936). His last official act as Archbishop of Canterbury was the confirmation of Princess Elizabeth. Died, aged 81, in 1945.
Lee, Rupert
OBE (1939). After a period of service with the 2nd Battalion Worcestershire Regiment in Malta and Shanghai and 1st Battalion at Aldershot, he was appointed CO of the Regimental Depot at Norton Barracks, from November 1937 to 1941. Retired in 1944 (as Lieut. Col Melville-Lee). Died, aged 82, in 1975.
After WW1 he taught at Winchester before becoming headmaster of Merchant Taylors (1927-34) and Winchester (1934-46). He was ordained and went on to be Bishop of Peterborough. Died, aged 63, in 1956.
Low, Stephen
A barrister before the war, he reverted to law, working for the Solicitors’ Department of the Ministry of Labour, the Board of Trade and Ministry of Fuel & Power. Died, aged 72, in 1955.
Low, Stuart
DSO. In 1920 he became a Lieut. Colonel, RA, and on retirement in 1926 Brevet Colonel and Honorary Colonel. He died in the sinking of MV Henry Stanley by a German U-boat, aged 54, in 1942.
Lucas, Cecil
MC, Order of St. Anne & Legion of Honour. After the war (during which he had been ADC to Sir William Robertson), he was Inspector of Remounts (1926-37) before entering the Home Office as an Assistant Secretary in the Ministry of Home Security. Made a CBE (1945). Retired with the rank of Brigadier General and died, aged 74, in 1957.
Lynam, Hum
Headmaster of the OPS/Dragon until 1942 when his son, Joc Lynam, took over the reins. Died, aged 83, in 1956.
MacLean, Jim
MC & bar. Stayed in the RAF, becoming a Squadron-Leader. Retired due to ill health in 1935, but served in WW2 in Fleet Air Arm. Died, aged 80, in 1973.
OPS Staff (1909, 1940-45). Author of over 200 books, a well-known radio broadcaster in WW2, and journalist for ‘The Oxford Times’. Grandfather of Old Dragons Nicholas Shakespeare and his journalist brother, Sebastian. Died, aged 89, in 1975.
From Cheltenham College, he went up to Trinity, Oxford, where he won a rugby blue and became President of the Oxford Union. Served in the RN in WW2 as an ordinary seaman, (later writing ‘A Very Ordinary Seaman’ about his experiences). Labour MP for Huddersfield (1945-79). Became a minister under Harold Wilson in various roles. Whilst completing his autobiography, ‘On Larkhill’, he died, aged 72, in 1980.
Won an Olympic Gold at Antwerp in 1920, playing in the England hockey team. He taught at Cranleigh School after the war and was a RAF chaplain (1943-45) before ending his career as Vicar of Tenterden in Kent. Died, aged 69, in 1959.
Marshall, Kit (Lynam)
Remarried after the war (Rev. Cyril Barclay). Their three sons went to the Dragon. Died, aged 77, in 1965.
Maule, Harry
DSO, MBE. British Military Mission to Plant (1919-21). Worked for J & W Nicholson (refiners), becoming a director in 1942. Retired in 1958 to Sherborne in Dorset. Died, aged 86, in 1976.
Mayhew, Charles
Career soldier until he retired as a Major General in 1928. He was Colonel Commandant of the Royal Marines (1927). Died of pneumonia, aged 53, in 1929.
DSO. He returned to his academic career after the war, becoming Dean of Lincoln College. In 1921 he became Professor of Philosophy at Birmingham University and then was Principal of University College, Exeter. In 1928 he became Vice-Chancellor of Manchester University. Knighted in 1934, when he also became the first full-time chairman of the University Grants Committee. Died, aged 92, in 1974.
Mott, Geoffrey
A veteran of both the Boer War & WW1, he took up hunting aged 70 and hunted all over England. When he celebrated his 100th birthday huntsmen around the country celebrated his double century – 100 years old and having ridden with 100 packs. Died, aged 102, in 1980.
Mott, Roger
MC. Also a veteran of the Boer War. Died, aged 79, in 1956.
Murray, Leslie
He became Managing Director of KFM Engineering. Died aged 82 in 1979.
He became an aeronautical engineer with de Havilland Aircraft Company, before joining with Vickers Ltd. in 1924. He worked on the development of airships, including the R100 airship under Sir Barnes Wallis. He continued in the aircraft business through into WW2, joining the RNVR. He became Head of Engineering at the Directorate of Miscellaneous Weapons Development, but he achieved greater fame as a writer of 24 novels, taking his middle name ‘Shute’ to protect his engineering career from any adverse publicity. His autobiography, ‘Slide Rule’ was published in 1954. He emigrated to Australia in 1950, where he died, aged 60, in 1960.
Pellatt, Hamilton
MC, OBE (1919). Died, aged 47, in 1936.
Playne, Basil
DSO. Joined the RAF, becoming an Air Commodore. He was Medical Officer in each of the Aden, Iraq and Halton Commands, and then of Coastal Command HQ (1934-38). Died, aged 58, in 1944.
Pickard, Jocelyn
DSO. Ended his military career (having also been mentioned in dispatches four times) as a Lieut. Col. before becoming the first Director-General of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents; he was its Chief Executive Officer for 27 years till retiring in 1950. He was responsible for many ideas eventually incorporated in the Highway Code, and invented kerb drill for children. Awarded CBE (1948). Died, aged 77, in 1962.
Price, Bartholomew
DSO, CB, CMG, Order of St. Maurice & St. Lazarus. He ended WW1 as a Brigadier General. Died, aged 77, in 1947.
Raleigh, Adrian
He stayed in the army after the war and was promoted to the rank of Major in 1938. On the outbreak of WW2 his battalion was sent to Palestine, where he died of a heart attack, aged 41, in 1939.
Romanes, James
DSO & bar, Legion of Honour. Died, aged 52, in 1946.
Rose, Douglas
He went into the family business in Oxford, Elliston & Cavell (which was bought by Debenhams after his death). His sons came to the Dragon, the younger of whom, Tom, was killed in WW2. Douglas died, aged 71, in 1951.
Rose, Geoffrey
MC & bar. Wrote the War History of 2nd Bat. 4th Oxford & Bucks Light Infantry (1920). Some of his water colours featured in it are at the Imperial War Museum. Followed a legal career and was appointed Metropolitan Police Magistrate in 1934. Died, aged 69, in 1959.
On return from captivity, Aubrey completed his degree and went into teaching. Taught at the Dragon (1924-29) whilst also editing the ‘Oxford Magazine’. He was Headmaster of Clayesmore School (1931-35). Having thereafter spent 10 years teaching at Bryanston, he retired to concentrate on his writing. His best known works were classical translations such as Livy’s ‘Early History of Rome’ (Penguin Classics). His sister, Dorothy married A.A. Milne and his daughter, Lesley (possibly named in memory of her uncle – see below), married her first cousin, Christopher Robin Milne. Aubrey died, aged 68, in 1962.
de Selincourt, Leslie
Badly wounded he nonetheless continued in the Army, becoming a Captain. Died at the Hotel Les Chamois in Leysin, Switzerland, possibly from tuberculosis, aged 30, in 1922.
Sergent, Dick
After the war he became an electrical engineer. Joined his brother’s motor-bus business in the Jura. Died of a heart attack, aged 35, in 1924.
Sergent, Noel
Joined the OPS staff after the war (1919-29), before moving to teach at Christ’s Hospital School. Died, aged 63, in 1954.
Sergent, Victor
Died of bronco-pneumonia, aged 37, in 1923.
Sheepshanks, Tom
After WW1 he became a Civil Servant in the Ministry of Health, before transferring to the Home Office in 1937. In 1943 he was seconded to the Ministry of Reconstruction to work on the practical side of what was to become the Beverage Report. Awarded the KBE in 1943, the following year joined the Treasury. Finally he transferred to the Ministry of Housing & Local Government, where he became a Permanent Secretary. He retired in 1955 and died, aged 69, in 1964.
He continued in his publishing firm of Sidgwick & Jackson. He wrote several volumes of light verse, notably ‘Some Verse’ (1915) and ‘More Verse’ (1921). Whilst in the middle of compiling an appreciation of the life of Skipper Lynam, he died, aged 60, in 1939.
MC, Croix de Guerre, Order of Leopold. Following various appointments, in 1928 he was appointed to the Plans branch, working closely with Lord Trenchard. He became Officer Commanding No. 3 (Indian) Wing at Quetta (1935) and was involved in operations in Waziristan (1936-37), for which he was awarded the DSO. In 1941 he was given command of No.5 Bomber Group before returning to the Air Ministry in 1942 to work on allied air strategy. He worked particularly at improving Anglo-American understanding. He attended the Casablanca Conference (1943) at which it was decided to give priority to operations against U-boats. Appointed KCB (1943), he was then appointed Head of Coastal Command and, in 1944, he succeeded Lord Tedder as i/c RAF in the Mediterranean & Middle East. He ended up Chief of the Air Staff with the rank of Marshall of the RAF. When the Dragon School became a Charitable Trust (1953), he became one of its governors. Died, aged 82, in 1979.
Smith, Lionel
Before WW1 he had gained a fellowship at All Souls and had played hockey for England. Son of A.L. Smith, Master of Balliol (1916-24), Lionel also followed an academic career, becoming Rector of Edinburgh Academy (1931-45). He reputably turned down the headmastership of Harrow School. His obituary in ‘The Times’ stated that he was one of those rare people, by reason of their talents, character and friendships who ‘could have done anything’. Awarded the CBE (1927). Died, aged 91, in 1972.
Smyth, Billy
A career soldier who became a Brigadier (like his brother Jack). In 1940 he was i/c KOYLI and was sent to Norway, where he was wounded. He was later injured in an aeroplane accident in Cairo and retired. He was for many years Assistant Secretary of the Middlesex Hospital and involved in local affairs. He died, aged 83, in 1980.
Smyth, Geoffrey
He rejoined the Army with the Glosters in 1940 and after the war became a commodity broker. He retired in 1965 to Shepton Mallet. Died, aged 85, in 1977.
VC, MC, Order of St. George. Served through into WW2 when he was controversially sacked by General Wavell, retiring as a Brigadier. He went into politics and was a Tory MP for Northwood (1950-66). He was created 1st Baronet Smyth of Teignmouth in the County of Devon in 1956 and wrote numerous books, including his autobiography ‘The Only Enemy’. He was Founder/Chairman of the VC Association and Military Correspondent for ‘The Sunday Times’ (1943-46) becoming their Lawn Tennis correspondent (1946-51). When the Dragon School became a Trust in 1953, he was one of their first governors. Died, aged 89, in 1983.
Ordre de la Couronne, CBE (1919). Wrote about his experiences in ‘A Surgeon in Belgium ‘ (1915). After the war, he continued his interest in radiotherapy and also was concerned in the early days of open heart surgery. An operation he performed in 1925 is thought to be a major landmark. He also invented several surgical instruments. In 1929 he wrote ‘The Art of Surgery’, which he illustrated himself. In WW2 he was Chairman of the Central Medical War Committee, Vice-President of the Royal College of Surgeons (1943-4) and then President of the BMA (1945-6). He was knighted in 1949. Died, aged 88, in 1964.
Spurling, Rev. Henry
He taught at the OPS/Dragon in 1896-8, 1907, and for a few years after WW1, “generally when invalided home from the evil climates in which his missionary work lay.” His main work was with the Universities’ Mission to Central Africa, which he served first in Zanzibar and lastly in the Seychelles, where he died, aged 81, in 1955.
Stride, Desmond
He retired from the RN in 1923 and became a barrister. Died, aged 77, in 1968.
Croce di Guerra. Continued in the RAMC through till 1948, when he retired with the rank of Lieutenant General. Spent many of the inter-war years in India, becoming Director of Medical Services, and was by the end of WW2 the Director of Medical Services for the South East Asia Command. In retirement he was Colonel Commandant of the RAMC and County Director of the Red Cross in Devon. Appointed CBE (1942), CB (1946), KCSI (1947) and was an Honorary Physician to the King (1944). Died, aged 91, in 1979.
Tyndale, Henry
In the war he was with the KRRC and then the Intelligence Department of the War Office (attaining the rank of Captain and made a MBE). Thereafter he spent his entire working life at Winchester College, where he became a housemaster (1923-46). He was a keen mountaineer and edited the ‘Alpine Journal’, ‘Adventures of an Alpine Guide’ and Whymper’s ‘Scrambles among the Alps’ as well as translating many German books on mountaineering. Died, aged 60, in 1948.
CB, DSO, Legion of Honour, Military Order of Savoy, Croix de Guerre. He had numerous commands after the war including Commander in Chief, China (1926) and The More (1930). Made a KCB in 1929 and finally retired in 1934 as Admiral of the Fleet. He served in the Home Guard in WW2 and died, aged 81, in 1951.
Vassall, G.C (‘Cheese’)
Joint Headmaster at the OPS/Dragon. Died at his desk, aged 64, in 1941.
Wallace, Lindsay (‘Pug’)
Returned to the OPS when he was discharged from the army (wounded) and stayed at the school, dying “in harness,” aged 60, in 1937.
Warren, Peter
He returned to Oxford after the war, winning the Beit Prize for Colonial History in 1921. He became an architect: LRIBA (1933); FAMS (1955). In WW2 he served as a 2nd Lieut. (RE) and was promoted to Captain in 1941. Died, aged 81, in 1979.
Watson, Blair
Died, aged 86, in 1974.
Wilkinson, Maud
Having retired to Bath, she was killed with her sister, when their house was hit in one of Baedeker Raids, aged 68, in April 1942.
Watkin Williams, Evelyn
DSO. He commanded the 5th Royal Welsh Fusiliers (1923-33). Died, aged 50, in 1934.
The Skipper's War 