Wednesday 13 May 2026
Each year, Dr Bill Howie’s Year 9 Social Studies classes use the crosses that mark King’s fallen soldiers, as an opportunity to develop their research skills. The students are taken to the quad and invited to select a fallen soldier whose name resonates with them.
Freddie Chapman
This year the students from 9 ABB, 9 CAM and 9 HEW researched their chosen soldier using the King’s Archives which is curated by our Archivist Sarah Buxton. They use the College Archives as a base and add to their knowledge by accessing other sources such as the Auckland Museum, to bring to life their chosen Old Collegian.
Loki Che
An archive is an evolving resource and some students uncover gaps in our knowledge. This year, students Freddie Chapman (Year 9, School) and Loki Che (Year 9, Marsden), were able to shed more light on SD Chapman (1893-95) and J Clark (1900-01). The former was at St Johns Collegiate before King's was formed in 1896 and fought for the South African Regiment in the Boer War. Mr J Clark was in the school records as John but had enlisted as Jack.
This is a ‘real’ practical research project, and the students develop a connection and empathy with the Old Collegians who gave their lives to protect our freedoms. If you have any details of King’s relatives who were part of the armed services and died in service, Sarah Buxton would be delighted to hear from you.