James Estlin (WH) was one of twenty-four 14-16 year old UK students selected by the Imperial War Museum, in association with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the Armistice. He wrote essays on The Impact that the First World War had on your Community, researched by looking at Tonbridgian editorials from that period and What do you think about Remembrance now and in the future?
We thought that OTs might like to read the former.
What Impact did World War I have on the Community of Tonbridge School?
Between 1914 to 1918, life at Tonbridge School was completely overshadowed by the events of the First World War. Regular school matters seemed insignificant and unimportant in contrast to the fighting taking place just across the channel. Many boys wanted to enlist, but couldn’t as they were too young: ‘Not one amongst us wishes not to be doing something either in the trenches or on the barrack squares of England’. Instead they had to remain behind, and ‘to continue with the old routine as if nothing was happening, as if not a couple hundred miles from school men were dying swiftly and by degrees’ (The Tonbridgian, 1914).
Throughout the war, the Tonbridge community was always eager to contribute to the war effort. The school had a considerable roll-call, with many old boys and staff volunteering for service. In addition, those that remained behind were also able to offer a large amount of support. In 1914 the ‘Public School Base Hospital Fund’ was set up to help provide medical treatment to wounded soldiers. Collections were held every term at Tonbridge, and through financial donations from parents and old boys, the school was able to contribute significantly to its success. In addition, the school organised many rugby and cricket matches against military units, including the Tonbridge Garrison and the Royal Welsh Regiment.
The First World War affected almost all aspects of life at Tonbridge and as a result changes occurred that were both mundane and major, temporary and permanent, tangible and psychological. For instance school fees rose slightly, and the price of the Tonbridgian (the school editorial) doubled from ninepence to eighteenpence in five years as a result of the rising cost of raw materials - a consequence of the U-boat blockade. Food rations were temporarily introduced, and there were several personnel changes as masters went off to fight. Tonbridge was now essentially preparing its boys to fight in the war, and consequently the school’s cadet force became increasingly prominent, tripling in size. Numerous cadet camps were organised, physical fitness regimes were introduced and extra military tuition was instigated, compulsory for all boys over eighteen.
Tonbridge’s role of honour was high, and each death on the battlefield brought with it melancholy and grief. There was defiantly a genuine fear among the boys, many of whom expected to be on the front line themselves within a few years. The Tonbridge community, however, tried to stay positive throughout, viewing each of these deaths as glorious and heroic and often approaching negative situations with true British ‘stiff upper lip’ humour. A prime example is found in the self-mocking 1917 Tonbridgian: ‘Lack of literacy may surely be pleaded by the editors this term - the literary half of them have suddenly been called up for military service!’
Nonetheless, the impact World War One had on Tonbridge is still visible today. At the entrance to the school’s chapel the names of the 53 old boys and 7 masters who died serving their country are engraved upon a commemorative plaque.
James Estlin