Honouring Our Heroes: Remembering Monkton Alumni on the 80th Anniversary of D-Day

As we mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day, Monkton School stands in solemn remembrance of those who took part in this pivotal moment in history.

On June 6, 1944, Monkton Alumni were part of one of the largest amphibious military assaults in history, storming the beaches of Normandy in a bold effort to liberate Western Europe from Nazi occupation.

Among these courageous individuals were:

• Lt Col Robert George “Desmond” Cracroft (OM 1922)
• Lt Dennis Elgar (OM 1934)
• Lt Col Richard “Dick” Whitfield James (OM 1923)
• Flying Officer Robert Fussell Wilden (OM 1931)
• Revd Maurice A P Wood (OM 1935)

Maurice was a Royal Navy Commando Chaplain who landed on D-Day with the Royal Marines and conducted the first service of worship on the liberated Normandy beaches. He was later awarded the DSC. Bishop of Norwich and a Governor of MCS, he died in 2007. The cap he wore on D-Day is on display in the Imperial War Museum.

• Colonel David Wood MBE (OM 1940)

David was an officer with the operation by glider-borne troops of the 2nd Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry (the 52nd) on D-Day, 6 June 1944, which was tasked with capturing Pegasus Bridge and Horsa Bridge before the main assault on the Normandy beaches began.

One of the very first to land on D-Day, within 20 minutes he was seriously injured with “three bullet wounds and a smashed thigh” and returned to England to recover before rejoining his regiment. He was brought up in Combe Down with his older brother Peter (OM 1938) who was a prisoner of War until his release in 1945, and his twin brother Michael (OM 1940) who was shot down and killed in his Lancaster bomber on 12 July 1944, just a month after D-Day. All three boys went to Monkton Combe Junior and Senior Schools.  David eventually became a Colonel and was awarded an MBE.  He died in 2009.

Monkton School is committed to ensuring that the stories of our alumni who served on D-Day are never forgotten. Their courage, dedication, and sacrifice are woven into the fabric of our school's history and values. We strive to instill in our current students the same sense of duty and service that these heroes exemplified.

To this day, Monkton celebrates a large number of military families, who are incredible assets to the community of this school. 

Let us never forget the heroes of D-Day and the lasting impact they have had on our world. Their courage continues to inspire us, and their legacy will forever be a proud part of Monkton School’s history.