Many joined local ‘Pals Battalions’ - so-called as groups of friends and colleagues volunteered together to form new battalions in response to Lord Kitchener’s call-to-arms in August 1914. The Northumberland Fusiliers saw the highest number of these service battalions formed in any regiment across the country.

In total, 171 Old Novos were killed during the war. They served across the British Army and Navy, but also in the military services of other nations: Canada, India, Australia, New Zealand and Egypt. The oldest person on the RGS Roll of Honour was 48 years old, the youngest aged just 17. An RGS teacher, Mr Mackenzie, was also killed in action, as was the son of the Music Master, Mr Smallwood. Loss would have touched every person in the RGS community.