A Watford school will name its £1.5m sports pavilion after an ex-pupil who died during the First World War – and it wants his descendants at the opening.

Watford Grammar School for Boys will name the Coningsby Drive sports complex, which pupils have been using since November, after old-boy Ernest Scott Household, who gave his life fighting in the First World War.

The official opening of the pavilion will be held on March 20 and the school would like Mr Household’s relatives to be part of the ceremony.

Not only was Mr Household a war hero, he was one of the school’s brightest pupils and its most gifted sportsmen – captaining both the athletics and cricket teams.

WGS’ sports director Giles Wallis said: “Not only was he the top boy in the school, he was also the best sportsman in the school.

“We could have named the pavilion after someone like Josh Lewsey but, given Ernest’s achievements, the school’s history and the poignancy of the centenary of the First World War, this was a wonderful gesture.

“We have been trying to trace his descendants but we have come up short so far, and it would be great to have them there at the opening.”

Mr Household was born on June 8, 1893 and attended the grammar school between September 1908 and July 1910.

He was a talented high-jumper and was also good with a football at his feet, scoring seven goals against John Lyon School in 14-0 win in 1910.

The headmaster wrote in the 1910 Fullerian that Mr Household “had everything to look forward to”.

He became the first boy to score a hundred in a competitive cricket fixture against Latymer School and could have played the game professionally had it not been for the outbreak of The Great War.

Mr Household became a Second Lieutenant in the 5th Essex Regiment as a Bridgade Bombing Instructor but he was wounded in action at Monchy-le-Preux and he died three days later on July 22, 1917.

The school’s new pavilion will carry some poignant words from Mr Household’s Housemaster to inspire future generations of sportsmen.

A plaque will paraphrase: “With a captain like Household, we were bound to succeed, for his keenness and enthusiasm stirred many boys to action.

“We are very sorry to say goodbye to him and we sincerely hope that his example may be remembered by N House for a long time to come.”

Mr Household was buried at Duisans British Cemetery in Etrun and it is believed he had family in the Lakenheath area in Suffolk.

If you are able to help the school locate Mr Household’s relatives, email Mr Wallis via wallisg@watfordboys.org or call 01923 223403.