Madgewick John Rhodes

Corporal, London Rifle Brigade

Madgewick John Rhodes was born 31 July 1880 and was a student at Alleyn’s from 1891 until1896. He was a well-known and popular boy at school. He was the son of Henry Thomas Rhodes, a gentleman, and lived firstly in Bradbourne Grove in East Dulwich and later in East Dulwich Grove. After leaving School Madgewick worked for Commercial Union in the head office in London. He entered the Life Department in 1899 and transferred to the Outdoor Department in 1910. Company records also say he was in the Secretary's Department. 

He was a well-known Surrey footballer, ”and fine type of sportsman, popular with his fellows and a hard worker on behalf of amateur sport, particularly Association Football”. He was also Honorary Secretary of staff athletic club and captained the office football team to victory in the Insurance Offices' Challenge Cup in 1911. 

He joined the war effort as part of the 2/5th London Regiment (London Rifle Brigade) in September 1914 and served overseas on the Western Front as a Corporal. In September 1917, he took part in the Third Battle of Ypres and was involved in the Battle of the Menin Road Ridge which aimed to destroy the German defences in the area in preparation for the upcoming assault on Passchendaele. Unfortunately, it was during this battle that Madgewick was killed in action on September 20 and died of wounds in Flanders.

With thanks to the Aviva Archive for the information about his career and football interests.