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Ronald Crichton, born on 4th January 1888, was admitted to King Edward’s School in September 1901 and was awarded a Foundation Scholarship in July 1903. Ronald lived with his parents, William, a merchant, and his mother, Bessie, and had two sisters and three brothers. His brothers were also Old Edwardians, and two of them, Gerald and John, were killed in the war, while Henry who served with the Royal Navy survived.
At School, Ronald was an accomplished athlete. He was Rugby Secretary, 1st XV Captain, Swimming Secretary, Swimming Captain, Senior Athletics Champion and House Swimming Captain, and won rugby, cricket and swimming colours. As a young competitor in July 1902, he set a new School record for the high jump of 4 feet 7 inches. Naturally, he was also a Prefect. As a member of the Debating Society, he took part in the Latin Debate in 1906, and as such he (or, in fact, his character Bipedius Vaccus), received the following biography: “[R Bipedius Vaccus] maxime caninissimam oriatonem habuit quae in actis senatus non perscribenda sit.”
In December 1914, Ronald enlisted as a Private Soldier in the 20th Royal Fusiliers (Public School). He was wounded twice, first in April 1916 and again in July. He received a commission in the 5th Royal Warwickshire Regiment as a Second Lieutenant. He was killed on 22nd August 1917, having been wounded already while leading his company in an attack on Westhoek. He is buried in Poelcapelle British Cemetery, near Ypres and, along with his brothers, he is commemorated on St Augustine’s Church Memorial, Edgbaston. Ronald left his estate of £1,386 to his brother Henry.