William Eyre

He was appointed second lieutenant in the Christ's Hospital Officer Training Corps on 17th July 1908 and volunteered on the outbreak of the war. He was gazetted Captain into the 8th (Service) battalion Welsh Regiment on 14th December 1914. He was subsequently attached to the 1st Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers with which he went to the Dardanelles on 17th July 1915. He was wounded near Gully beach, Gallipoli on 6th August 1915 and died as a result of these wounds in the 19th General Hospital at Alexandra. Colonel Ommanney, 1st Battalion Welsh Regiment wrote;- " During the five months he was with us, he not only did his work well, but made himself respected and beloved by all ranks. I feel I have lost in him a real friend and I know that this feeling is shared by very many of his brother officers." He is buried in Alexandra (Chatby ) Military and War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt Grave Reference: E 120.

In the grounds of Retford Grammer School can be found a memorial to William Eyre in the form of a 'fives court' see articles below from the 'Retfordian' the school magazine of Retford Grammer school The following is from an article in the 'Retfordian ' dated summer 1924 ;- Gift by Mrs Eyre.The School is deeply indebted to Mrs Eyre of Babworth Road, who has most generously given us a hundred guineas, in memory of her son, Captain William Eyre, who died at Alexandria on August 19th, 1916, from wounds received in Gallipoli a fortnight earlier. Captain Eyre was both an Old Boy and an Old Master. He first came to the School in September, 1889, and distinguished himself both in scholastic work and in the cricket field. After having matriculated at London University he left in July, 1895, and went to Firth College at Sheffield, from where he took his London B.Sc, with honours. He returned to Retford, as Science Master in 1899, and remained with us till 1906. He then went to Cranbrook Grammar School, and a year later was appointed Science Master at Christ's Hospital. When the war broke out he was a Captain in the O.T.C. there. He applied for a commission in the army and was appointed Captain in the 12th Welch Fusiliers, but was afterwards transferred to the Lancashire Regiment with whom he went to Gallipoli. Mrs Eyre's gift is going to be used to build a Fives Court, which we have long wanted. It will contain a tablet to the memory of Captain Eyre. It is hoped that the court will be completed during the Summer holidays.In a further article dated Christmas 1912 :- The Fives CourtThe Fives Court, which we owe to the generosity of Mrs Eyre, of Babworth Road, has been finished this term. It is situated at the north-east corner of the field, and is of the Rugby type. An engraved stone has been fixed on the outside of one of the walls, on which is the inscription:- In Memory of Captain William Eyre, who died of wounds August 19th, 19161. Their name liveth for evermore. The court was formally opened on the afternoon of Monday, Oct 20th. There was a good attendance of parents of boys and of friends of the School. The earlier part of the afternoon was taken up with a game of football, and with some interesting physical exercises performed by thirty-six juniors, under the instruction of Mr Freeling. The company then gathered round the Fives Court, which was declared open by the Mayor, Mr Coun. J.R.Plant. This was followed by an exhibition game between Messrs. Eric and Rupert Spencer and two of the staff, Messrs Darke and Young. After this was finished, Mr Eric Spencer and Mr Darke played a single. The guests then adjourned to the house where they were entertained to tea by Mr and Mrs Skrimshire.