The Cheltonian Who Gave Everything

In May 1941, in the waters off Crete, Christopher 'Kit' Champain Tanner (Xt, 1927) gave his life saving others.

Kit joined Cheltenham College in September 1921, entering Christowe (Xt) as a boarder aged 13. He was the son of Reverend Maurice Tanner, who had taught at College for thirty years. Headmaster Hardy saw something in Kit, recognising that he was a natural leader, and made the decision to promote him to Prefect whilst still in the Fifth Form, around the same time Kit began playing in the First XV. A few terms later, he became College Prefect, the equivalent of today's Head Boy or Girl, and still in the Fifth Form.

When Kit left for Pembroke College, Cambridge in 1927, Hardy wrote: 'I recall no Senior Prefect who has won more affection from masters and boys alike, or made me feel more that I could consult with him freely, and often act on his advice.' At Cambridge, Kit earned five rugby caps for England. He was ordained as a priest in 1935, married in 1937, and by the outbreak of the Second World War was serving as Rector of Haslemere.

In 1940 Kit joined the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve as a chaplain, and it was in this role that he found himself aboard HMS Fiji during the Battle of Crete in May 1941. When the ship was sunk, Kit remained with his men in the water, tending to the wounded and keeping spirits up while they waited for rescue. When a destroyer finally returned after dark, scrambling nets were lowered over the side. Many of the men, exhausted and injured, could not climb them. Kit jumped overboard repeatedly to help bring them aboard. He saved around 30 men. When he was finally hauled up himself, he collapsed and died within minutes. He was 33 years old.

Earlier this year, the Royal Navy honoured Kit's memory in a moving tribute and piece of art. You can read more about it through the link below

https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news/2026/february/07/20260207-kit-tanner-painting