Stubbs J D Midshipman HMS Aboukir Royal Navy

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Stubbs J D Midshipman HMS Aboukir Royal Navy

STUBBS, JOHN DUNCAN, Midshipman, R.N., elder s. of Thomas Duncan Henlock Stubbs, of Nunthorpe, Yorkshire, Major, North Riding Heavy Battery, 13th Brigade, R.G.A. (now on active service in France), by his wife, Margaret Isobel, dau. of Arthur Buchannan, of Guisborough, Yorkshire; b. Coatham, Redcar, co. York, 24 June, 1899; educ. Coatham Grammar School; Pembroke Lodge, Southbourne, and the Osborne (entered May, 1912), and Dartmouth Royal Naval Colleges, and had just completed one term at the latter college when war broke out, and the Cadets from the college were sent to various ships on active service. As senior he took a party of nine Cadets of his term to Chatham, where they joined the Aboukir, and in a few days time he went to sea as acting Midshipman. Shortly afterwards the Cadets were all promoted Midshipmen. He was attd. to the Gunnery Lieut., and was in charge of four 12-pr. guns. Life on board was much to his liking, writing home he described it as “the most glorious time of my life.”

On 22 Sept. the Aboukir was the first ship to be torpedoed; everyone came on deck, as it was obvious that the vessel was sinking. Stubbs noticing that one of the other Midshipmen was not on deck went below to look for him, he found the boy asleep (he had just come off watch), woke him up, and brought him on deck. As one of the officers wrote: “It took some pluck to do this with the ship heeling over and likely to go at any moment.” Stubbs swam in the direction of the. Hogue, but before he reached her she was torpedoed also and sank very quickly. He then swam towards the Cressy, and while in the water in company with another Midshipman of the Aboukir, they came across a drowning man calling for help. They went to his assistance and succeeded in holding him up for some time, telling him what to do to help himself, but as the man was unable to do as they told him, they were obliged to leave him as they could hold him up no longer. They got to the Cressy where they received dry clothes and hot cocoa, and were in the sick bay when the Cressy was struck the first time. They went on deck, and when the second torpedo struck the ship they took to the water again. Stubbs was seen in the water clinging to some wreckage some time afterwards, but when the rescuing boats came along he had disappeared.

According to an Artificer of the Hogue the following incident took place after the Cressy was sunk: A man was calling for help some distance away, the Artificer saw two Midshipmen on a plank not far from the man, later he saw the boys leave the plank they were on and swim towards the man. The latter seized the boys, then there was a short struggle and all three disappeared. The Artificer was then only a few yards away, he saw the boys clearly, and from his description and from the fact that all the other Midshipmen were accounted for, it is thought that almost certainly the boys referred to were Midshipmen Stubbs and Riley. One of the officers of the Aboukir wrote saying of Stubbs: “He was of the greatest assistance to me, in fact I could not have done without him. It was impossible for him to tell a lie. He was always cheerful no matter what time of day or night, nor how rough the sea was.” And again he wrote: “There were many fine things done that day, but none finer than his. He was one of the best and truest boys I ever met.” He early showed signs of great promise; at Pembroke Lodge he held a high place in the school, and was also good at all games. He played for the school in both the cricket and football teams, and in the school sports won every open event, taking the Sports Challenge Cup with the maximum number of marks. In the words of his headmaster: “He was one of God’s perfect little gentlemen.” At the R.N.C., Osborne, he was promoted Cadet captain on completion of his third term at the college, he played for the college at cricket, being given his colours in 1913, and won the prize for the best field in the college. He passed out of the college head of his term, being awarded the Admiralty’s prize for the Cadet obtaining the highest aggregate number of marks in all subjects, including engineering and seamanship.

Source : De Ruvigny’s Roll Of Honour Vol 1

Stubbs B C Pte 2655 9th London Regiment

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Stubbs B C Pte 2655 9th London Regiment

STUBBS, BERNARD CASTLE, Private, No. 2655, 9th Battn. (Queen Victoria Rifles) The London Regt. (T.F.), 3rd s. of the late Charles Stubbs, of 20, Grafton Road, Worthing, by his wife, Kate Marian (141, Gladstone Road, Watford, Herts.), dau. of Thomas Henry Castle; b. Worthing, 6 March, 1891; educ. Slough School (1899- 1907), and on leaving there entered the London offices of the Union Castle Line; volunteered on the outbreak of war and joined the Queen Victoria Rifles, Sept. 1914; went to France with a draft for the 1st Battn. in Feb., and was sent direct to the firing line; took part in the fight on Hill 60, during the night of 20-21 April, under Lieut. G. H. Woolley, who then gained the first Victoria Cross conferred on a Territorial officer; was wounded in the head by a piece of shell, 22 June, 1915, and died in the Receiving Hospital, Bailleul, without recovering consciousness; unm. At Slough he was head boy of the school during his last few terms, the holder of a cup for the school championship at “fives,” and the winner of the swimming medal of the school. He later captained the Old Boys’ Football Team.

Source : De Ruvigny’s Roll Of Honour Vol 1

Friedberger W S Captain 5th Attd 3rd Royal Fusiliers

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Friedberger W S Captain 5th Attd 3rd Royal Fusiliers

CAPTAIN WILLIAM SIGISMUND FRIEDBERGER, Royal Fusiliers, was a partner in his father’s firm, J. Friedberger and Co. He commanded a battalion of the Royal Fusiliers in the Boer War, and was mentioned in despatches.

He retired with the rank of Major. On the outbreak of the European War he rejoined his old regiment with the rank of Captain..

He was killed in action at Hooge on 25 May 1915, in the second Battle of Ypres, while serving with the 3rd Battalion.

His Adjutant wrote to his widow: “He was deeply respected and loved by his company and brother officers. I never met a man who was better fitted to command men, in fact a born soldier.”

Another brother officer wrote: “He did quite enough for his country during the South African War without risking his life again… He was a keen officer and good comrade; his kindness to me in South Africa and at home I can never forget.”

A Colonel under whom he served wrote: “We soldiered in South Africa together and I knew what a good soldier he was… He was most popular with all ranks, both officers and men, and I feel I have lost a friend whom it is impossible to replace.”

Source : The Stock Exchange War Memorial 1914-1918

Fraser A E Lt 2nd Monmouthshire Regiment

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Fraser A E Lt 2nd Monmouthshire Regiment

LIEUTENANT ALEXANDER EVAN FRASER  Monmouthshire Regiment, was the youngest son of James Campbell Fraser and was born in the year 1880. He was educated at St. Mark’s, Windsor, and commenced his business career with the London and County Bank, Watford.

He joined Charles Kerr on the Stock Exchange and continued in the same position with Kerr, Ware and Co. until the year 1913 when he became a Member.

At the outbreak of the War he immediately enlisted, not waiting for the opportunity of obtaining a commission. Later he was offered a commission which he accepted in the 2nd Monmouthshire Regiment. He went to France with his Battalion 5 November 1914 and endured all the hard fighting and hardships of the first winter in Flanders.

He was Adjutant at the time he met his death, during a German gas attack in the battle of Ypres, on 2 May 1915. A shell burst a few yards from him as he stood talking to his Colonel and a fragment entered his head.

His Colonel (with whom he completed the whole of his short service) wrote: “He had been my Adjutant since January, and I can honestly say that never had anybody a better Adjutant. He was a magnificent soldier and, in the true sense of the word, he was a great friend and comrade to me. . . . He had all the best qualities of a soldier and a gentleman.”

“All through he has been sound and undisturbed by any difficulties, thoughtful and unselfish, and adored by every soldier with whom he came in contact. I have had expressions of regret from every Battalion in the Brigade, for everybody who knew him liked him.”

Source : The Stock Exchange War Memorial 1914-1918

Forsyth G A 2nd Lt 8th Royal Fusiliers

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Forsyth G A 2nd Lt 8th Royal Fusiliers

SECOND LIEUT. GORDON AMHURST FORSYTH, Royal Fusiliers was the son of David Cadenham  Forsyth of the Stock Exchange and was born in London in December 1887. From Crump’s Private School at Woodford Green he eventually proceeded to Königsfeld in Baden and Nyon in Switzerland to complete his education. He became a member of the Stock Exchange in 1911.

Enlisting as a private on the outbreak of war in the 12th Royal Fusiliers, he rose to the rank of Sergeant and after twelve months training at Shoreham Camp embarked with his regiment on 1 September 1915 for France. He took part in the battle of Loos, and was in action almost continuously in different parts of France and Belgium until June 1916, when, having been recommended for a commission, he joined the 8th Royal Fusiliers as Second Lieutenant, taking part in July and August in the battle of the Somme.

On 21 August 1916 he was killed in the trenches by a mortar bomb and is buried in the Military Cemetery at Agny near Arras. During the few weeks he held his commission he endeared himself to his brother officers by his cheerful and happy manner.

He married his cousin Edith Mary Allshorn Forsyth, daughter of W. S. A. Forsyth of the Stock Exchange, but left no issue.

Source : The Stock Exchange War Memorial 1914-1918

FORSYTH GORDON AMHURST, 2nd Lieut., 8th Battn. The Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regt.), s. of David Cadenhead Forsyth, of Holyrood, St. An- drew’s Drive, Skegness, and Stamford Hill, London, N., formerly a member of the Stock Exchange, London, by his wife, Thomasina, dau. of Thomas Adam- son; and brother to Private Douglas Chester Forsyth (q.v.); b. Amhurst Park, London, N., 29 Dec. 1887; educ. Crump’s School, Woodford Green, co. Essex, finishing at Konigsfeld, Black Forest, Germany, and Nyon, near Lausanne, Switzerland; was a member of the London Stock Exchange; enlisted in Aug. 1914; served with the Expeditionary Force in France from 1 Sept. 1915, as a Sergt. in the 12th Royal Fusiliers; took part in the Battle of Loos on the 25th of that month, and the subsequent actions until Aug. 1916, when he was killed in action in the trenches near Agny by Arras, by a trench-mortar bomb. Buried in the Military Cemetery at Agny. Lieut. Royle (since killed) wrote: “I do not know if your son mentioned that we had not only met but were in the same company here; however, perhaps you will recall my staying at your house at Woodford Green some years ago. . . . Don was very popular the short time he was with us, and we all very much mourn his loss. It was exceptionally hard luck, as during the six days we were in the trenches at this quiet spot we only had three casualties, and they were all caused by the same trench mortar.” Unm.

Source : De Ruvigny’s Roll Of Honour Vol 5

Evenett F C Sergt 820672 18th London Regiment

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Evenett F C Sergt 820672 18th London Regiment

SERGEANT FRANCIS CUTHBERT EVENNETT, London Regiment, was born on 22 April 1870. He was educated at St. Charles’s College, Bayswater, and later studied at the English College, Lisbon. He became a Member of the Stock Exchange in 1899, and when the war broke out was a partner in the firm of Thomas Carmichael and Co.

He served for 15 years with the Queen Victoria’s Rifles, retiring a Sergeant with the Territorial Efficiency Medal in 1913. as Concurrently he took an active interest in the Catholic Boys’ Brigade and commanded the Kensal Company of the Westminster Battalion for many years. Later he became Captain and Adjutant of this Battalion.

It was in this capacity that, although 44 years of age at the time, he joined a Company (specially recruited from the Catholic Boys’ Brigade) of the 2/18th Battalion, London Regiment (London Irish Rifles) and became a Sergeant. He met his death under tragic circumstances near Clacton-on-Sea on 13 July 1917.

His Company Commander in the London Irish Rifles wrote: Francis Evennett showed a grand example of patriotism. He joined up despite his family ties, his business, his age and infirmity (for he was greatly handicapped with severe rheumatism although he carried on) in order to give a lead to the Catholic lads with whom he joined the ranks early in September 1914. I know that none of the attractions of military life swayed him, and of him can it literally be said ‘He died for God and King.’

Source : The Stock Exchange War Memorial 1914-1918

Evans L M Lt Army Service Corps

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Evans L M Lt Army Service Corps

SECOND LIEUTENANT LESLIE MORIER EVANS, Royal Army Service Corps, the son of Thomas Stephen Evans, was born in 1879 and educated privately. He became a member of the Stock Exchange in 1904.

He served in the National Volunteers for a year, and then went to a Cadet school, till he took his commission in September 1917.

Two months later, on 12 November, he was killed by a shell.

One of his brother officers wrote: “Though he had only been with us a short time he had become the life and soul of the mess. His loss to us can never be made good. A mind so original and untrammelled is seldom met with and the world can ill spare such a man. I have lost a real friend and most charming companion. He made all our lives happier and was a most loyal and conscientious officer.”

He married the daughter of Arthur Hipwell, J.P., by whom he had one daughter.

Source : The Stock Exchange War Memorial 1914-1918

Edmands F D 2nd Lt Army Service Corps

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Edmands F D 2nd Lt Army Service Corps

SECOND LIEUT. FRANCIS DOUGLAS EDMANDS, Royal Army Service Corps was a son of Charles Henry Edmands and was born in 1876. He was educated privately. On becoming a member of the Stock Exchange in 1904 he joined the firm of James Smythwhite and Co. as a partner.

Lieutenant Edmands was very musical and was possessed of a beautiful voice. Before he joined the army he had organized a concert party for the entertainment of the wounded.

He joined the Army Service Corps as a cadet in 1917, received his commission in April and went to France in May. After serving there for two months he was appointed to the 952 M.T. Company in Egypt. He was killed by a shell in December.

His Commanding Officer wrote to his widow: “When he was hit he took it as a brave man should, joking with those who bore him to the ambulance. He was game to the last. How we all miss him now! If it had not been for his unfailing energy and endurance the company could never have done so well. The men have made a cross for his grave.”

Source : The Stock Exchange War Memorial 1914-1918

Stuart J Pte 18161 3rd Grenadier Guards

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STUART, JOHN, Private, No. 18161, No. 1 Coy., 3rd Battn. Grenadier Guards, s. of John Stuart, of 16, Bridge Street, Wigan, Collier, by his wife, Ellen; b. Wigan, co. Lancs., 19 Dec. 1883; educ. St. Joseph’s School, Wigan, and afterwards worked as a Miner at the Moss Hall Collieries. After the outbreak of war he enlisted in the 3rd Battn. Grenadier Guards, 7 Sept. 1914, and was killed in action, being shot through the head by a sniper while filling sand bags, at Neuve Chapelle, 3 April, 1915; unm.

Source : De Ruvigny’s Roll Of Honour Vol 1

Strongman W J Pte 12/910 Auckland Infantry Btn New Zealand Expeditionary Force

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STRONGMAN, WILLIAM JAMES, Private, No. 12/910, Auckland Infantry Battn. New Zealand Expeditionary Force, s. of William S. Strongman, of Coromandel, Auckland, New Zealand, Engine Driver; b. Coromandel, 1 Jan. 1895; educ. Coromandel District High School; volunteered for Imperial service on the outbreak of war, and left for Egypt in Oct. 1914; took part in the landing at the Dardanelles, 25 April, 1915, and was killed in action there 8 May following; unm.

Source : De Ruvigny’s Roll Of Honour Vol 1