Page 25 - War bMemorial Names

The Old Derbeian Society
|After more than a year's training at home stations he left for France in July 1916, and – in the words of his Commanding Officer - “was killed on February 16th 1917, whilst leading a platoon of the regiment who were relieving us in the trenches” “All his comrades” the same writer adds “are deeply grieved at his loss, as he was extremely popular and an excellent soldier”.
All who knew him at School will bear out these last words, he had the true soldierly qualities, manliness, chivalry and modesty. He was passionately devoted to his School, was deservedly popular with his fellows and has left a blank place in the hearts of those who knew him.
Geoffrey Smart Sowter – 1889 to 1895
Capt. G. S. Sowter, Sherwood Foresters, has made the supreme sacrifice, having been killed during the fighting in France in October 1918, at the age of 39 years. Capt. Sowter had been connected with the Sherwood Foresters (Territorials) before the war, and went out to France with his regiment as long ago as November 1914. He has been through much of the severest fighting and has twice been invalided home. He leaves a widow and two sons.
Spending his school life at Derby School and the son of a prominent and very loyal Old Derbeian, Capt. Sowter will be remembered well by those of his time for his quiet good nature, strong reliable character and practical capacity.
He took part in all the activities of school life; acted in the plays; was a Sgt. In the Cadet Corps and played in the Cricket XI of 1895.
Unwin Henry Etcher Sowter – 1892
Lieut. U.H.E. Sowter, Sherwood Foresters, has died of wounds received whilst fighting in Mesopotamia.
Although Lieut. Sowter left us quite young and was essentially a Marlburian, he was well known to many at the School and occasionally played in Old Derbeian matches.
His early death at the age of 24 is a cause of deep regret to all who knew him.
Kenneth Cumming Steven but actually Stiven
On January 19th 1920 there died at a London Hospital at the age of 24, 2nd Lieut K. C. Stiven, late 3rd Leicestershire Regiment, after an operation for the relief of wounds received on service.
Joining the 21st Service Battn. Royal Fusiliers at the beginning of the war, he was afterwards gazetted to a commission as a 2nd Lieut, to the Leicesters and in due course proceeded to France where he took part in some very severe fighting. In the conduct of a particular duty he was very terribly wounded.
After a long period of suffering he recovered to a considerable extent of many of his wounds, but the effects of the serious injury to his head were never removed and in consequence he suffered serious disability and pain long after an operation designed for the cure or relief of this that he sank.
Owing to his wounds he was forced to relinquish his commission but was granted for his services the honorary rank of 2nd Lieut in the Army.
All who knew his sunny genial nature and fine character feel his loss.
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