Notes
His biography on the College website (see References) reads as follows: 'Edward George Passingham, Captain, Northumberland Fusiliers. Edward George Passingham, came up to Jesus College in October 1913 as a Classical Exhibitioner from Eastbourne College in Sussex. Born: Sydenham, Kent, 6 June 1895, Fell in action: 3 May 1917.
The obituary for Passingham in the Jesus College Cambridge Society Annual Report 1919 suggests “he was an excellent Rugby forward”. Chanticlere is less than impressed with the 1913 intake of students. The Rugby correspondent writes “This year’s freshers have not been very promising for the College Rugger”. (Chanticlere, Michaelmas Term 1913, p33). We do not know, of course, whether or not he tried out for the Rugby team. He is included in the list of Roosters killed on active service though he is recorded as having died in 1918 rather than 1917. The minutes of the Roosters note that he was elected to the society at the 91st meeting on 26 November 1913. However, he is then marked as absent at every subsequent meeting. His obituary states that he enlisted with the Artist Rifles in 1914 before receiving his commission in the Northumberland Fusiliers where he was eventually promoted to Captain. In March 1917 he was awarded the Military Cross but was killed in action two months later.
Captain Passingham is also commemorated on the Roll of Honour of Eastbourne College. This includes a photo of him during his schooldays.'