Attwater, HSJ
(1893 - 1916)
Key Facts
DATE OF BIRTH:
20th November 1893
YEARS ATTENDED THE COLLEGE:
1907 - 1912
HOME ADDRESS WHEN AT THE COLLEGE:
Petersfield, St. Julian's Farm Road, West Norwood
REGIMENT
3rd Battalion, Northampton Regiment
FINAL RANK:
Captain
DATE OF DEATH:
26th June 1916
AGE AT DEATH:
22
WHERE HE DIED (or was wounded)
Givenchy
LOCATION OF GRAVE OR MEMORIAL:
Maroc British Cemetery, Grenay. I G 6
Captain Humphrey St. John Attwater
Born 20th November 1893, Humphrey was the son of barrister Thomas Henry Attwater and was the middle of three brothers to attend the College. He had an interesting sporting career at the College, serving two years in the 3rd XV, but also a year in the Shooting VIII, and three years in the Dulwich Fencing team. After leaving he took up a Classics Scholarship at Pembroke College, Cambridge.
He was on track for a first class degree when War broke out and Humphrey signed up rather than return for his final year. He was granted a commission with the Northampton Regiment and by November 1914 was already in France fighting, before being severely wounded in the attack on Aubers Ridge on May 9th 1915, which required a nine month recovery period at home, away from the trenches. He returned to the front in February 1916, and six weeks later was given the temporary rank of Captain. After being slightly wounded on June 20th of that year, he was killed in action at Givenchy by a trench mortar shell just six days later.
