Category Archives: Other Regiments

Ernest Edward Stubbington

Army, Other Regiments, Registered War Grave

Ernest Edward Stubbington
Private 117830 19th Company (Chester)
Royal Army Medical Corps.

 War Plot

Ernest Stubbington was the husband of Catherine H. Stubbington, of 58, Brickfield Road, Portswood, Southampton.

 Ernest Stubbington died on 12th July 1917, aged 37. He took his own life and the Reading Standard published the following information.

 Standard July 14th 1917

“Earnest Stubbington R.A.M.C. stationed at Whalley, was on Thursday found dead on the line at Reading.  His head was shockingly injured.  An inquest will be held today (Saturday)”

 Standard July 21st 1917

Ernest Stubbington, aged 37 years, a Private in the R.A.M.C., had been married for 18 years and had 6  children.  He was “described by his widow and his military officer as being of jovial disposition, and getting on well with his work”.  “He committed suicide on the railway line last week”.  He was called up for military service on May 15th last, and was engaged in office work in Whalley.  Granted 4 days leave, and a pass from Saturday to Tuesday, he went home to Southampton.  He left there Monday morning in order to join his unit by Tuesday midnight.

 On Tuesday his wife received the following letter, bearing the post mark Paddington, 3.15:-

Dear Wife, – My heart fails me to return to prison life, as you are so rotten towards me, and I know that I shall only be a nuisance to you in a month or so, as I am telling you the truth-I am going blind in one eye-I am going to quit this earth tonight and I shall lay my head down to rest and peace.  That is what has been worrying me so, and end it I will tonight, so you will be free now, and I only hope the children will get cared for by someone better than me.  You can have your fling now….So farewell all, and the best of luck to you; you have never understood me so its best.  Good bye.!”

 The body was found on Thursday morning on the line from Reading to Paddington near Woodley Bridge.  The back part of the skull had been torn away.  In one of his pockets a piece of paper , bearing the pencilled words “Only a nuisance”.

 A verdict of premeditated suicide was returned.  The widow said her husband had been depressed for about 12 months, though for no particular reason.  He had complained of bad eyesight and also of his heart.  She couldn’t account for the tone of the letter, there was no reason to refer to her in that way.  She did not think he had friends in Reading or that he had been “carrying on” with other women.  The Quarter Master at Whalley spoke well of his military character.

Charles Stewart

Army, Commemorated name/s, Other Regiments, Ypres

Charles Stewart M.M.
Sergeant 8929
2nd West Yorkshire Regiment.

Division 35

 CIMG2114 Stewart C MM name

Charles Goldsmith Stewart was the son of Thomas Perkins Stewart and Ellen Stewart nee Goldsmith. He had one sister called Nina. His father had been an ironmonger but by the time of the 1901 census he was deceased. The family were then living at 83 London Road, Reading. By 1911 20year old Charles was serving in India with the 1st West Yorkshire Regiment. He is commemorated on his parents grave in Reading Cemetery number 12261. 

 He was  killed in action in July 1917 aged 26 years.  He has no known grave and his name is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial to the Missing, Ypres.  Panel 21. His sister, who was living at 105, Grovelands Road, Reading was listed in the additional information section of the CWGC register.

 It is not yet known how he gained his Military Medal.

Stanley Durman

Abbey Baptist Church, Army, Commemorated name/s, Other Regiments, Somme

Stanley Durman
Private L/10750 The 7th Battalion
Queens (Royal West Surrey) Battalion.

 Division 71 Extension

Durman S photo Durman D grave

Stanley Durman died on 1st July 1916.  He was the son of Alfred and Maria Durman, of 58, Francis Street, Reading.  He is commemorated on the family grave. Number 17859.   Berkshire Family History Society classification 71G10.

The 1911 census indicates that he was a cutter-up in the sugar wafer department of  Huntley and Palmers. However, his name was not recorded on the depatment’s memorial. His father worked as a porter for a timber merchant and his older brother as a house painter.

 Stanley Durman’s older brother  Alfred  Stephen Durman, also served in the war.  He was a stretcher-bearer of the Royal Berkshire Regiment who was wounded, date not known, and as a result had his left leg amputated.  

Pictures of Private Durman killed 1st July 1916 bear different captions. One stated that his Regiment was the 2nd Royal Berkshire Regiment the other simply Royal Berkshire Regiment.  The addresses on the pictures are identical.  It was not uncommon to transfer men between battalions to make up for losses.  The 7th Queens and 6th Royal Berkshire were in the same Division – the 18th (Eastern) Division. 

An interesting incident illustrates the closeness of the units.  Both units were attacking towards the village of Montauban on the first day of the Somme battles.   When Breslau Trench was captured a wounded German machine gunner was caught, he was found chained to his gun by his ankle.  The initial capture was attributed to the 6th Royal Berks., but was finally confirmed as a capture by the 7th Queens.  (Public Records Office CAB/189).  On 1st July, the 7th Queens attacked at 7.30a.m.  The first advance was held up by heavy fire in front of Breslau support trench, possibly by the same machine gunner.  Later the 7th Queens fought on through Back Trench and Train Ally to Montauban Ally.  The War Diary records that after 12 hours fighting the final objective was reached and consolidated on a front of 200 yards.