While exploring the Broadley Chapel within Holy Trinity Church Hull, an image on one of the memorial windows caught the eye of Graeme Mellor, the familiar Hymers crest. The discovery also led to the story of one remarkable Old Hymerian: Lieutenant Cedric Earle.

Graeme (OH 1984-91) kindly emailed the pictures to the Development Office where the School archives are located and we began to investigate why this particular student was honoured with a memorial.

Cedric Earle attended Hymers College from September 1906 until April 1913. The only son of Ernest and Mrs Haworth Earle of Victoria Avenue, Hull, he left school just a year before the outbreak of the First World War.

According to School records, Cedric enlisted as a private soldier during the first winter of the war. Despite being only 17 years old, he soon gained a commission and served with distinction in the East Yorkshire Regiment. He saw action in numerous engagements and two major battles, returning to England on two occasions after being wounded.

The School remembered him as a young man "of singular charm of  manner and character". His military service earned the respect and  affection of both his men and fellow officers, and he was specifically mentioned for his good work during the conflict.

Tragically, on 4 September 1918, aged just 20, Lieutenant Earle was killed by shellfire while leading his men to the front line near Bailleul.

A keen cricketer during his school days, Cedric's memory remains part of the fabric of Hymers College history, one of many Old Hymerians whose lives were cut short during the First World War. He was killed in action as The Pals went in chase of the retreating Germans and attempted to take Hill 63. The preliminary bombardment was met in kind by the enemy and shells rained down on the battalion's assembly trenches which cost many lives. Not only that, but they then advanced over flat ground, in daylight, with no cover and fell prey to the machine guns.

The memorial window that prompted the latest shield discussion was created in Cedric's memory by his father, Ernest Haworth Earle (1863-1951). A prominent Hull businessman, writer and designer, Ernest Earle belonged to one of Hull's most influential industrial families. The Earles were closely associated with major local enterprises, including Earle's Shipbuilding and G & T Earle Ltd, the well-known cement manufacturers.

Following the war, Ernest designed the striking First World War Memorial Windows that can still be seen today in the Broadley Chapel of Hull Minster, formerly Holy Trinity Church. The windows were executed in 1921 by S. H. Harrison and Son of Hull and incorporate the badge of the East Yorkshire Regiment.

The central panel bears the poignant inscription:

"In loving memory of Cedric Earle / Lieut. 4th East Yorkshire Regt. / killed at Bailleul / 4th Sep 1918 aged 20."

The surrounding panels carry biblical verses:

"Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven." And "For we have not here an abiding city but we seek after that which is to come."

Earle was also commissioned to design a multi-light memorial window dedicated to local fallen soldiers who had been educated at Hymers College, it featured other students of which we have found out a little more about their lives from the Hymerian Archives published shortly after they fell;

Captain Norman G. N. Mason (Royal Field Artillery), killed in action in France on September 13, 1918, aged 26.

Was the youngest son of Dr. and Mrs. J. Wright Mason, of Beverley Road, Hull, and was at Hymers College from September, 1902, to July, 1906. He enlisted at the beginning of the war with the East Riding Yeomanry, and afterwards obtained a commission in the Northumbrian R.F.A., later on becoming Adjutant of the R.N.D. Ammunition Column, with which he had been associated since its formation. He was killed, while asleep, by the explosion of a shell near his hut. He has been described as the most cheery officer in the whole British Expeditionary Force, and with this he combined the power of getting through a tremendous amount of hard and difficult work. He was immensely popular with his fellow officers and men, and this indeed will be no matter of surprise to those who remember him in the old days at school. He had four brothers who all served in the Army, one of whom, Major Victor Mason, M.C., was most dangerously and severely wounded in the fighting of last March.

2nd Lieutenant Arthur Burstall (East Yorkshire Regiment), killed at Holnon on September 24, 1918, aged 19.

The son of Mr. and Mrs. W. Guy Burstall, of Cottingham, was at Hymers from April, 1908, to December, 1916, when he left from the VI. Form, having been a Prefect of the School and a leader of real value in most School affairs. At first in the East Yorks., he had latterly been attached to the West Yorks. Regiment, and had been at the French front since July, 1918, He fell in October, and is spoken of as a most popular officer both with his men and fellow officers. We greatly regret his loss at this School

Lieutenant J. Cecil Watson (Middlesex Regiment), killed in France on October 4, 1917, aged 20.

Lieutenant Jack Cecil Watson attended Hymers College from 1906 to 1915, where he distinguished himself both academically and in sport. He earned First XV Colours, with the school noting that he had "played many good games", and was appointed both a Library Prefect and School Prefect.

Leaving Hymers in May 1915, Jack joined the army and later served as a Lieutenant in the 10th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment. During the Third Battle of Ypres, better known as Passchendaele, he was reported wounded and missing amid some of the most appalling battlefield conditions of the First World War. Tragically, he was never found and is presumed to have been killed in October 1917 at the age of 21.

Jack's sacrifice was keenly felt by the Hymers community. At the time, the school expressed hope that better news would be received, but sadly this was not to be. Today, his name is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial to the Missing in Belgium, alongside thousands of other servicemen who lost their lives on the Western Front and have no known grave.

More can be read about Jack here- Jack Cecil-Watson OH 1906

Captain Richard Ernest Clayton Keighley (Royal Garrison Artillery), killed in action at Zillebeke on August 1, 1917, aged 21.

Entered Hymers in May, 1908, and left in July, 1913, to serve his articles as a solicitor with Messrs. Woodhouse and Chambers. Was killed in action in France on August. At school, " Dick " Keighley had many friends, and was to the fore in all school affairs and doings. Before the war he had joined the E.R.R.G.A., and thus when his time came for service abroad, he was an able and well- trained officer. He was the son of Councillor and Mrs. E. E. Keighley, Princes Avenue.

Sergeant Albert William Drasdo (East Yorkshire Regiment), died from wounds on September 6, 1918, aged 23.

The son of Mr. P. J. Drasdo, of Beverley Road, was at Hymers College from April, 1903, to April, 1905. He left the school while he was quite young. He was in the East Yorks. Regiment during the war, and died in hospital in France on September 6th, 1918, from wounds received in action.

Lieutenant Robert Smith (King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry), killed in action on the Somme on July 1, 1916, aged 34.

Entered Hymers at the opening of the School in September, 1893, and left in December, 1898. He was always very prominent in School affairs, and as an Old Boy took a most active part in the management of the O.H. Club, of which he was one of the original Directors. He will be greatly missed by his many old Hymerian friends.

As with many stories hidden in archives, a simple observation has opened another avenue of exploration, reminding us how closely the histories of Hymers College, Hull, and its Old Hymerians remain intertwined.