Remembering the 173:
OBs in the Second World War

Aware that the school’s record of the Great War had been incomplete, Walter Hett made a keen effort to keep in touch with Old Brightonians throughout the Second World War. Regular correspondence between the Head Master and Old Brightonians, their families, and loved ones, can still be found in the Brighton College archive. This correspondence is a touching reminder of the lasting relationship these young men had with the College.

The Brighton College Roll of Honour lists 173 former pupils killed on active service during the Second World War. The conflict saw the young and old sign up, with the average age at death being 27. Frank Stuttaford, of Leconfield House, was killed by enemy action while on self-imposed duty at the Odeon Cinema, Kemp Town, at just 15 years of age. While Hubert Maling, of Junior House, died on active service as the King’s Messenger, at the age of 59.