Eric de Wilde Green

Eric de Wilde Green was born in St Pancras in 1898, the son of Charles Henry De Wilde Green and Isabel Clara Green. He grew up at Eastcourt, 58 Station Road, Harrow, with his elder brother Geoffrey and younger brother Bernard.

Civilian Life - Before military service, Eric's life was centred on education, family and music. As a young boy he attended Alpha School, a prep school on Hindes Road, Harrow, where he developed a talent for the piano alongside his older brother Geoffrey. At the school's annual Prize Distribution in January 1910, the two brothers performed a pianoforte duet before parents and visitors. During the same evening, both Geoffrey and Eric received medals recognising their help, interest and perseverance in school life. The event reflected the broad education encouraged by the school, combining music, art, academic study and physical exercise.

Eric's later education is associated with both Harrow County School and John Lyon School. The research records him in the John Lyon School First World War Roll of Honour and notes his commemoration on both the John Lyon School memorial plaque and sundial. It also records his name in the University of London's Roll of Honour. In addition, he appears in the University of London Matriculation examination lists of September 1914 while attending Harrow County School. The research notes acknowledge that the precise relationship between his attendance at John Lyon School and Harrow County School remains unresolved.

Military Life - Shortly after leaving school, Eric joined the British Army and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the 1st Battalion, The Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment). By April 1918 his battalion was engaged in the fighting against the German Spring Offensive in Flanders. He was wounded in action on 13 April 1918 and evacuated through the military medical system to Boulogne-sur-Mer, where he died of his wounds on 15 April 1918 at the age of nineteen. He was buried in Boulogne Eastern Cemetery. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission records him as the son of Charles Henry De Wilde Green and Isabel Clara Green of 58 Station Road, Harrow.

His parents chose for his headstone the inscription from Percy Bysshe Shelley's Adonais: "Peace, he is not dead he hath awakened from the dream of life."