Image of Jesus College war memorial

Philip Malcolm Wolryche-Whitmore, 2nd Lieutenant Lincolnshire Yeomanry, later Royal Field Artillery

​Philip Malcolm Wolryche-Whitmore was privately tutored before coming up to Jesus College in 1910.​

​Born: London, 6 December 1889

Killed in action: 1 August 1918

He attained his BA in 1913 after taking the Military Special papers I and II in June and December 1913. His obituary reports that this was his intention when he came up in 1910 (Jesus College Cambridge Society Annual Report 1919, p. 36). 

There is only one mention of Wolryche-Whitmore during his three years in College in the student magazine, The Chanticlere. Under the heading “Stop Press” the editors highlighted an error made by a contemporary newspaper, The Sportsman, which had misreported the make-up of the College’s second boat.  This obviously appealed to the Editors' satirical instincts and they decided that they should “open the eyes of the College as to the true state of affairs with its walls” and gather “various items of news from other equally trustworthy and well-informed organs”. 

"Mr G. R. V**k is coxing the first May boat, which is being coached Mr. W*lr**h*-W**tm**e.  The usual method of seating will not be adopted on this occasion, as the cox who will wear evening dress clothes and is to be strapped into his seat, a precautionary measure suggested by Messrs. B. E. Severs and B.D. Humphrey. Cloister Cuts." The Chanticlere, Easter Term 1913, p. 34.

G. R. Vick was a forward in the College’s Rugby XV, so one imagines that Philip was similarly unsuited to the role of coach!

Little else is known of Philip in the College Archives except that he is recorded on the University War List as a Lieutenant in the Royal Field Artillery, whereas the Commonwealth War Graves Commission records him as a Gunner. The former seems more likely, given his previous service. 

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.