Page 9 - War bMemorial Names

The Old Derbeian Society
Richard Humphrey Coxon of the Queen's Westminsters. Fell a victim to a German sniper's bullet, in the war on July 21st 1915 last. He was the second son of the late T.W. Coxon, OD. And he entered the School in 1899. His younger brother, Lieut Hugh Coxon, of the Sherwood Foresters, was killed only a few weeks previously in the great fight at Neuve Chapelle and our deepest sympathy is extended to their mother in her lonely widowhood. She has only one son left, Thomas Roger Coxon, OD, whose indifferent health precludes him from following his profession as a Solicitor and also from taking up arms. Humphrey like a true patriot, joined the colours when the bugle first sounded, sacrificing a good appointment for his country, and he saw a good deal of active service. The following extract from a comrade to a member of the family tells how our friend met his death. “It happened on Wednesday, July 21st. Humphrey had just returned from a week's rest in a forest to the front line, and was ordered with his section commandant and two other men to hold a little dugout near a trench just captured from the Germans. He was not very well, and was relieved just at dawn. Ten minutes before the relief party was due he had to crawl on his stomach out of his dugout to get behind a farmhouse. They were only 50 yards away from the Germans and a vile sniper shot him through the head. He did not return, and as the party wondered why, a man was sent out to look for him. He was found dead, shot through the temple. He must have died instantly, which is the only consolation we have got. The major of his battalion speaks very highly of him and says “he was a very smart and efficient solder.”
Valentine Arthur Butler Cranwill – 1905 to 1908
Lieut (Acting Capt.) V. A. Butler Cranwill M.C., and Battn. East Lancashire Regt. was killed in action April 24th 1918 at Villers, Bretonneux, aged 25 years. He was a boarder at the School for three years, and during that time was much liked by all for his cheerful disposition, love of humour and other excellent qualities. Of considerable intellectual attainments he did well at work, and in his last year carried off the prize in his form for French, Science and all subjects combined. He also showed good ability as an actor, taking the parts of Jessica in the Merchant of Venice and Titania in Midsummer Night's Dream. He was also a member of the School Cadet Corps.
At the outbreak of war he was in Canada, but returned to England with the First Canadian Contingent and obtained a commission in the East Lancashire Regt. He was in France in March 1916, and in a few months was granted a permanent commission in the Regular Army. In July 1917 he was awarded the Military Cross for conspicuous gallantry. His Colonel, writing of him said - “He was a most gallant and capable officer, whom I shall miss especially. He had done some splendid work with the battalion.”
Douglas Alfred Laurie Derry – 1905 to 1909
2nd Lieut. D.A.L. Derry, York and Lancaster Regt. died of wounds received in action in France on Oct. 9th 1916. He was wounded in the head by a sniper during night fighting on Oct 8th and succumbed to his wounds on the following day without recovering consciousness. At the time of his death he was six months short of completing his twenty first year.
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