Plumtree School -
Old Prunitians - Roll of HonourIndividual Biographies 1939-1945 M to R
These biographies and photos were copied from "A Record - Plumtree School 1902 to 1945." Please submit any additional information and photos to the webmaster.
Pilot-Officer D. G. Mackay - Donald George Mackay, who was previously reported missing as a result of air operations on May 8th, 1942, is now presumed to have been killed on that date. He was born on March 24th, 1921, and entered Grey House in January 1934. He passed his Junior Certificate in 1936, and played for the School 1st Cricket XI in 1937. After leaving Plumtree in December 1937, he was employed in the Standard Bank, Gwelo. He attested in November, 1940, and received preliminary training in Rhodesia, after which he proceeded overseas in April, 1941.
Sgt.-Air-Gunner K. L. Macfarlane -
Kenneth Lowe Macfarlane was killed as the result of air
operations on
April 12,
1944. He was born on July 8th, 1923, and entered Milner House in January
1937. Before leaving in December 1940, he passed his Cambridge School
Certificate examination, obtaining six credits. From Plumtree he went to Wits
University. Later he joined the R.A.F. and received his preliminary training in
Southern Rhodesia, then proceeded overseas in July 1943.
Sgt. A. B. McLaggan - Angus Beatty McLaggan was killed in
Durban
as a result of an accident in a military lorry. He was born on October 25th,
1919, and entered Milner House in January 1935, and left Plumtree in the
same year.
2nd-Lieutenant P. J. Nice - Philip John Nice was killed in action in
Burma in 1944, while serving with the Royal Engineers. He was born on September
28, 1918, and entered Lloyd House in January 1932. He left Plumtree in
June 1935.Flying-Officer S. H. Miller - Samuel Henry (Billy) Miller died as the result of injuries received in an aircraft accident on July 8th, 1942, in the Middle East. He was born on March 20th, 1910, and entered Lloyd House in January 1924. After leaving school in December 1926, he worked in Bulawayo and was an Insurance Inspector at the time he joined the R.A.F. in October, 1939.
Sgt. K. S. M. Miller -
Kenneth Silver Mylne Miller was reported missing as the
result of air operations on
December
21st - 22nd, 1944, and is now believed to have been killed on that date. He was
born on September 29th, 1924, and entered Lloyd House in January 1937. He
played for the School 2nd teams in rugger and cricket, and in 1942 was appointed
a School Prefect and Head of the House. He was a Corporal in the Air Cadets and
left Plumtree in December 1942, to join the R.A.F. as a career. He attested in
January 1943, received preliminary training in Rhodesia, and went overseas in
December 1943.Flying-Officer R. M. Napier – Ronald Macdonald Napier was accidentally killed in the Middle East on March 14th, 1944. He was born on March 10th, 1906, and entered Grey House in April 1920. After matriculating in 1925, he entered business in Cape Town, becoming managing director of the Table Mountain Canning Company and the Lambert's Bay Canning Company. When war broke out Napier was in America but immediately returned to join the Cape Town Highlanders. Later he transferred to the Reconnaissance Unit (Rhodesian), after which he volunteered for the R.A.F. He was serving as a pilot with 237 Squadron at the time of his death. School Record: House Prefect, 1923-24; School Prefect, 1925; Cricket 1st XI, 1923-24-25 and Colours 1923-24-25; Rugby 2nd XV, 1924; Corporal in the Cadets, 1924; Matriculated June 1926.
Flying-Officer G. W. Oldham, D.F.C.- Gordon William
Oldham,
who was reported missing as a result of air operations on April 26th - 27th,
1944, is now presumed to have been killed on that date. He was born on October
9th, 1920, and entered Lloyd House in January, 1936. . He was an
outstanding boxer and represented the School; also a fine athlete, he held the
Under 16 long jump, hurdles, and 100 yards School records for many years. He
left Plumtree School in April 1938. He attested in September 1940, and after
receiving preliminary training in Rhodesia he proceeded overseas in October
1941.Gunner J. P. P. Pattinson - John Pearson Parker Pattinson was killed in action in the Western Desert on November 1st, 1942. He was born on August 17, 1906, and entered Grey House in February 1920. He passed his Junior Certificate in 1922, and played rugger and cricket for the School 2nd teams, and was a L.-Corporal in the Cadet Corps. After leaving in June 1923, he went mining in the Gwanda district. At the time he joined the Forces he was employed as a mining engineer at Belingwe. He was a keen hockey player, and represented Rhodesia in 1933.
Pilot-Officer A. W. Paul - Alfred Walter Paul was reported missing as the result of air operations on October 6th, 1944, and nothing further has since been heard of him. He was born on October 9th, 1921, and entered Grey House in .January 1935. He was at Plumtree only for a few terms.
Flying-Officer A. F. Posselt - Arthur Francis Posselt, who was reported
missing after a raid on the Meuse on May 14th, 1940, has since been presumed
killed in action on that date. He was born on
August 16th, 1918,
and entered Plumtree School first as a day scholar attached to Lloyd
House in January 1931. He left for a short period, re-entering in 1937, and
finally leaving school in August 1938.Pilot-Officer C. J. Randle - Colin James Randle was killed as the result of air operations on June 8th, 1944, at Gambu, and was buried at Tobruk. He was born on January 9th, 1919, and entered Grey House in January, l932. At the outbreak of war he was in Australia and received his training there before being posted to the Middle East.
Pilot-Officer T. B. Richards - Thomas Bryan Richards, who was previously
reported missing as the result of air operations on 22nd June, 1944, is now
presumed to have been killed on that date. He was born on September 6th, 1922,
and entered
Gaul House in January, 1938. Having passed
the Cambridge School Certificate Examination, Richards left Plumtree in April,
1940, and shortly afterwards he attested in the R.A.F., receiving his
preliminary training in
Rhodesia
before proceeding overseas.
Flying-Officer T. Rickland - Tore Rickland, who was previously missing as
a result of air operations on May 9th, 1944, is now presumed to have been killed
on that date. He was born on November 13th, 1920, and entered Lloyd House
in January, 1933. He left
Plumtree
School in December, 1939, and almost immediately attested for the R.A.F. School
Record: Matriculated 1939,. House Prefect 1939, Sgt. in Cadet Corps, Shooting
VIII; Rugger 1st XV, 1938-39; School Athletic Team, 1934-35-38-39 (Colours
1939).Sgt. J. C. Robertson - John Charles Robertson was killed as the result of an air accident outside Salisbury. He was born On July 12th,1912, and entered Gaul House in April 1922. After leaving Plumtree he went to George Watson's College, Edinburgh. He graduated B.Sc. at Edinburgh University. Returning to Rhodesia in 1934, he joined the Imperial Tobacco Company. In 1935 he was the Salisbury golf champion. He joined the R.A.F. in August 1941, and had just qualified for his wings.
Private H. J. W. Ross
- Harold James White Ross was killed in action in
Italy on February 21st, 1945, and buried at Capella, Tortonare. He was born on
July 17th, 1917, and entered Lloyd House in January, 1930. After
matriculating in December, 1935, he left Plumtree, and at the outbreak of war he
was working on the
Rand,
where he joined up with the 1st Transvaal Scottish. School Record: House
Prefect, 1935; School Prefect, 1935; Rugger 1st XV and Colours, 1935; School
Swimming team, 1935; Sergeant in the Cadet Corps; Dramatic Society; 1st Class
J.C., 1933, and won a Senior Beit Scholarship.
Flight-Lieut. J. Russell - John Russell, who was reported missing as the
result of air operations on September 17th, 1944, is now believed to have been
killed on that date. He was born on June 10th, 1916, and entered Milner
House in January 1929. He passed his Junior Certificate in 1932, was appointed a
House Prefect in 1934, lance-corporal in the Cadet Corps; School 2nd Rugger XV,
1934; and he took a keen interest in dramatics, appearing in four school
performances. He left Plumtree in December 1934.