Image of Jesus College war memorial

William Francis Plummer, 2nd Lieutenant, London Regiment (London Irish Rifles)

William Francis Plummer was educated at the Latymer Upper School in Hammersmith, London.

Born: Earlsfield, London on 22 April 1895

Fell in action: 15 September 1916

He was awarded an Entrance Scholarship in December 1913 with a view to reading the History Tripos.

He matriculated in 1914 and spent one year as a student here. His obituary records that “he gave excellent promise of future success in the History Tripos” (Jesus College Society Annual Report, 1917, p33).

However, he left at the end of his first year, was gazetted to the London Irish Rifles in August 1915. “He was killed while leading his men to the assault in a most gallant manner” (Major B M Mahon in Jesus College Society Annual Report, 1917, p33).

After his death his father wrote to the College, responding to an appeal for contributions to the War Memorial:

“I am sure whatever design is decided on, it will only be something that will add to the beauty of the grand old College that my son had such a great love for; though unfortunately he was such a short period in residence”

You can email us on ww1-project@jesus.cam.ac.uk, go to our First World War homepage, or find us on Lives of the First World War.