CAPTAIN REV. LIONEL FAIRFAX STUDD LONDON REGIMENT
CAPTAIN REV. LIONEL FAIRFAX STUDD (A, 1904-1909)-son of J. E. K. Studd Esq., of 67 Harley Street, W.–was born on May 16th, 1891, and came to Winchester from Fonthill School, East Grinstead: he was a House Prefect his last year. He went to Trinity College, Cambridge, in 1909 and after taking his degree with Honours in History, studied for a year at Ridley Hall, where he was a double prizeman. Anxious to prepare himself more thoroughly for ordination and especially for work in the mission field (to which with a number of his Cambridge contemporaries he had resolved to devote himself) he entered as a student at the Polytechnic, with a view to obtaining some practical business experience. At the same time he joined the Polytechnic Company of the 12th Battalion London Regiment. He was ordained in St. Paul’s Cathedral on Trinity Sunday 1914, and went to work at St. James’, Holloway.
On the outbreak of war he immediately resolved to rejoin his regiment, and served for several weeks with them, in command of the guard at Waterloo Station. He fell in action near Ypres on February 14th, 1915.
Source : Wykehamists Who Died In The War 1914-1918 Vol 2
STUDD, LIONEL FAIRFAX, Clerk in Holy Orders, and Capt. 12th Battn. (The Rangers) The London Regt. (T.F.), 3rd s. of John Edward Kynaston Studd, M.A. Camb., President and Chairman of the Polytechnic, Regent Street, by his wife, Hilda, dau. of Sir Thomas William Brograve Proctor-Beauchamp, 4th Bt., and the Hon. Caroline Esther Waldegrave, dau. of Granville George, 2nd Lord Radstock; b. 2, Cavendish Place, London, W., 16 May, 1891; educ. at Winchester and Trinity College, Cambridge, where he took Honours in History. He then studied for a year at Ridley Hall, where he was a double prizeman. On leaving Cambridge in 1913 preparatory to taking Orders in the following spring, he threw in his lot with the Polytechnic, in whose work he had always been interested, and to which he had ever given his help, notably in connection with the Christmas Dinner Fund and the Scottish Holiday Tours in Edinburgh. During the winter session of 1913-14 Capt. Studd, who had strong inclinations for a missionary life, determined to render himself more efficient by a course of practical business training. He entered as a student at the Polytechnic Business Training School, studying accounts, and then entered the accounts department, where he helped with the books. During this time he became a regular member of the second hockey team and a constant attendant at the weekly Bible classes.
He joined the 12th Battn. of the London Regt. as a Subaltern in the “Poly” Coy., 15 Nov. 1909. On Trinity Sunday, 1914, he was ordained a Minister of the Church of England in St. Paul’s Cathedral by the Bishop of London, and commenced his work as a curate at St. James’s, Holloway, under the Rev. J. C. Banham. Here he worked assiduously during the summer months, and letters from the parish show that even in that short time he had gained the respect and affection of the very large congregation that worshipped there. Towards the end of the summer he had seriously thought of giving up his place in the 12th London Regt., and only held on hoping to be permitted to have a few more drills with his Poly” friends, and perhaps to go to camp with them. Before any further steps could be taken war was declared, and he felt it to be his duty to continue with his regt. He was gazetted Capt. on 2 Sept. 1914. This promotion, to his great regret, severed his connection with the Poly company, and though he had a few “Poly” boys in his company, he was able to see comparatively little of his old friends. For several weeks he was in charge of the guard at Waterloo station, and received the thanks of those in authority for the efficient way in which the work was done.
He and his company were in the trenches near Ypres on the night of 13 Feb. 1915. The following day a severe attack was made on the trenches, and he was struck by shrapnel in the head and died without suffering. The company received great praise for the steady way in which they had faced serious trouble. His old company were not in action on that day, but took their place under fire on the following day, the 15th, and then it was that their chief, Major V. R. Hoare, lost his life. They were buried in the same grave in a field adjoining the Cimetière de Menin, about half a mile east of Ypres, where they had previously been billeted. His commanding officer, Col. A. D. Bayliffe, wrote: “Lionel was one of my best officers and universally popular with all ranks in the battn. He and Vin have been laid side by side in the cemetery just outside the town where we were quartered at the time [Ypres]. In death they were not divided. It may be of some slight comfort to you, in your great distress, to know that the result of their good work in the past was shown in the gallant conduct and bearing of the Poly ‘lads and enabled them to stand firm and endure their ordeal so splendidly.”
Source : De Ruvigny’s Roll Of Honour Vol 1

