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Albert Theodore Vardy, born on 7th August 1888, was admitted to King Edward’s School in September 1900 as a Foundation Scholar, having previously attended West House School. His father, the Reverend AR Vardy, was Headmaster of King Edward’s School from 1872 until his death in 1900; his memorial bust, unveiled in June 1902, is displayed in the School Chapel. Albert lived with his recently widowed mother, Isabella, and his older sister at 59, Calthorpe Road.
Albert was a strong academic, winning proxime (second prize) in his French class and performing near the top of his class overall. He also won second place in the annual Recitation Prizes given by the Old Edwardians’ Association. Albert left KES in 1902, transferring to Shrewsbury School, where he continued his studies before attending Pembroke College, Cambridge with a Scholarship. After gaining a First Class in the Classical Tripos, he became an Assistant Master at Highgate School.
Albert enlisted in the Public Schools Battalion, Middlesex Regiment, at the beginning of the war. He obtained his commission as a Second Lieutenant in the 4th Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment, on 8th May 1915, and was posted to France in May 1916, attached to the 2nd Battalion, RWR. He was killed at Mametz Wood on 4th July 1916, aged twenty-seven, while helping a wounded officer of his own battalion. Albert was buried in Dantzig Alley British Cemetery, Mametz, and his epitaph reads: “Onward”. He left his estate of £232 to his mother, Isabella.