Bloxham School laid a wreath in memory of Harry Ayres, who lost his life in the First World War 100 years ago. ”
A member of the Bloxham School community who lost his life in the First World War has been commemorated on the centenary of his death.
Harry Ayres died on 7th July 1915, his 18th birthday and is buried in the village churchyard. Father Michael led a short service of remembrance at his grave and the school’s Catering Manager, Viv Wilson, laid a wreath on behalf of the school. It was especially appropriate that Viv should do so as Harry worked in the school kitchens before the First World War. He joined up at the start of the war, against his parents’ wishes, at the age of 17 (two years under age) and was severely wounded at Hooge in the Ypres salient. Harry died from his wounds on 7th July 1915 in hospital back in England, which is why, uniquely among the 79 who fell in the war, he is buried in Bloxham, and so this provided the ideal opportunity to commemorate Harry and all those Bloxhamists who perished.
The photograph shows Old Bloxhamists Jolyon Griffiths and Peter Barwell, Father Michael, Simon Batten and Robert Hudson of the History Department and Viv Wilson, Catering Manager.