Edward Selby Wise attended the school for less than a year in Ashburnham House. He began his career in the Navy not long after leaving Westminster, starting as a Naval Cadet in 1904 at the age of 16. When war broke out he became part of the crew of the newly commissioned HMS Severn, a Royal Navy Gun Boat. The HMS Severn had started life in 1913, built by engineering company Vickers for Brazil, but she was purchased by the Navy upon the outbreak of war in 1914.

In October, 1914 HMS Severn and her crew took part in the Battle of Yser, supporting Belgian forces in their attempt to hold the front line between Diksmuide and the sea atNieuport. On 19th October the forces landed Selby was placed in command of machine guns fromHMS Severn and remained in action all night when they were withdrawn. Lt.
Wise then gallantly led his men into action and was killed on the sand dunes at Nieuport. On14th January 1915 he was mentioned in Despatches by Sir John French andrecommended for gallant and distinguished action in the field.