‘Studying To Fight’: Hull University Students who lived and fought through WWII
(Cover Image: Hull City Council, April 2025)
By Robson Hindley.
The Second World War was a devastating time for those who lived in Hull, as it is commonly cited that Hull was the most bombed city throughout the war. Hull’s historic buildings were destroyed beyond recognition, and families would be torn apart by the loss of loved ones. It was a difficult situation for students too, as the war had commenced during the middle of their studies. But when Britain’s men of fighting age were called up for enlistment, they were not initially obliged to follow in their footsteps.
This exemption from immediate service caused disagreement amongst many, and this could be seen in local newspapers. For example, in February 1940, the Hull Daily Mail saw non-student readers writing in to voice their opinion on students being exempt from conscription in the war. One reader writes:
‘why should others fight for the freedom of University Students?” (and later) ” when they become of military age they should have to go the same as everyone else.’
A swift reply would come the next day from a student:
‘SIR – As soon as war broke out, 75 per cent of the students at Hull University College, myself included, volunteered for service. I was advised that I should continue my studies as the Government would prefer my services as a technician rather than as a soldier.’
But for the students who had already enlisted:
‘arrangements [were] being made for keeping in touch with students who join H.M Forces […] sending them parcels and other comforts.’ (Friday 9th February, 1940. Hull Daily Mail.)
J.S Hodgson, who was president of the Student Union, would oversee the comforts committee, which was responsible for sending parcels out to the first 7 Hull University students who had chosen to join the armed forces instead of continuing their studies. The outbreak of the war would put Hull into its ‘third financial crisis’, with staff also leaving to join the war alongside their students. Despite this, the University stressed the importance of continuing as normal, and would even offer lectures and courses to service units.
In December of 1940, it was stated that more than 40 students from Hull University were now in the Armed Forces, a significant increase from the initial 7. I am inclined to believe that the following 30+ students that joined since February would most likely have made this decision after finishing their examinations at the end of the academic year. At this point, as in many previous wars as well, no one could make a good estimation for how long we would be fighting for.
Throughout researching this topic, I was amazed to see that in 1941 American Students who were in their armed forces and had been based near the University had become well acquainted with many students their age. A photo can be found of American university students in full military uniform with students of Hull University College. (shown above)
By 1942, students who had their military service initially deferred in favour of their studies were now required to join the University Air Squadron, the Home Guard or the Civil Defence (This last option being apparently popular with science students.) A common form of Home Guard service at the University was to become a fireguard / firewatcher. These shifts were long, but students knew that they had a duty to do alongside their studies. Looking at the personnel cards that still survive, these students show their age and address. John Howard Fox, a 19-year-old student, would come from Bridlington. Francis Gleeson, 17, was from Liverpool. These were young people from all over the country who were enduring an important role at an awful time in British history, while being miles from home.
A student who had a particularly exemplary career as a pilot in the RAF was Bernard Earley. He was in the 101 Squadron and had joined the RAF in 1940 once he finished his studies. In August of 1942, he would be awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal, the citation of this medal reading:
‘This pilot has overcome considerable opposition from enemy night fighters when over well defended targets, and by skillful piloting has always brought his aircraft back to base.’
Sadly, he would never return home after the war, as in November 1944 his plane would collide with another, and he would be buried in Erp Roman Catholic Cemetery in the Netherlands. He was 24 years old, and had risen to the rank of Flight Lieutenant.
Going into 1943, a scheme had been developed – aimed at 18 year olds who were deciding between the armed forces or University. The Army had established a halfway house between the two options, and advertised ‘6 month University courses’ for potential officers. These courses would be taken at universities and would be entirely funded by the government. In Hull, anyone interested was instructed to report to the Combined Recruiting Centre on Jameson Street. Although it is unknown how many young men in Hull took this option.
1944 would unfortunately begin with a second student fatality: Jesse Holland Walker. Walker was originally from Oldham and had come to Hull as a masters student after obtaining a degree from Manchester University. Walker had joined the war early on; and similar to Bernard Earley, would climb up the ranks with ease. He would receive the Distinguished Flying Medal in 1940, become an commissioned officer in 1943 and be awarded an Air Force Cross Medal on the 1st January 1944. It would appear that while flying over Germany, Walker’s plane would malfunction; and while his passengers were able to get out safely, he would not. He was originally reported as missing.
By June 1944, a nineteen year old in the Royal Marines was wounded: Marine Kamstra. Kamstra had been wounded at Normandy by a hand-grenade after only 7 months service. Before joining, he was a student at Hull University. Thankfully, his wounds were not serious and he recovered well.
In August 1944, another student would be killed in service. This being a man by the name of John Naylor. He was a Flying Officer for the Royal Air Force and would only be 22 years old at the time of his death. He had joined the RAF in 1941, making him 18 at the time of enlisting. Naylor abandoned his studies to join the war; it states that while he was at University, he was attached to the University’s Air Training Corp. He would also leave a wife behind. In the newspaper, his family would write: ‘We will always remember you smiling.’
Following the war, there would be an upsurge in the amount of students applying to the University of Hull. Many of these would be war veterans, with frequent applications from other countries such as France, Italy and Yugoslavia. There were so many veterans coming to study, that the University Air Squadron was split into two groups. The first was students who had served in the RAF during the war, and the second group were students with no experience at all.
Perhaps the highest ranking veteran to return to the University after a disruption to his studies would be Patrick Russel Vincent. Patrick had climbed to the rank of Major after serving with the Punjab regiment in Burma. He left his studies to go into the army, before coming back to Hull and finishing his undergraduate degree in 1948. He would later emigrate to America to attain his PhD.
By no means, is this a definitive guide to every serviceman of our University throughout the Second World War, but it does offer a glimpse into what life was like for students, and what they decided to do. Many students were aware that they were practically studying to fight as the British Armed Forces made it clear that they could utilise their knowledge gained from their University qualification towards military efforts. From what we now know about PTSD, and other issues that veterans may face after service life, surely many would have struggled to adapt back into innocent student life after witnessing as much as 6 years of traumatic war on frontlines. Nevertheless, the stories of these students shall always be remembered.
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