LEATHERHEAD WAR MEMORIALS - WWI
Lance Corporal Robert Henry Stickland (CWGC:
Strickland)
1 Bn Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
Town Memorial P8.R1.C2
Taken, Not Given, Liam Sumption, L&DLHS
L/CplRobert H Stickland
1st Sherwood Foresters
France
Mar 29 1918 [sic]
We know just a little about Robert Stickland. According to the Parish magazine issue which recorded his death (1) he had sung in the church choir and the May 1915 issue (2) listing those serving in H.M. Forces states that he was in the Army Service Corps (A.S.C.) and places him among those in the Territorials or 'New Army'.
However by 1918 he was serving with the Foresters and the Queen's records show many instances of men being transferred from the ASC to the infantry. The British infantry had sustained casualties out of all proportion to their numbers.
The War Diary for the 1st Bn. Sherwood Foresters (3) contains an entry made at the end of December 1917. It summarises the casualties sustained to date:
Wounded: Officers 69; Other Ranks 237
Missing: Officers nil; Other Ranks 60
Totals: Officers 95; Other Ranks 2954
Bearing in mind that the War Establishment in 1914 was about 1000 officers and men, the fact that 3049 in total had become casualties indicates that the battalion's strength had been replaced three times. Whether this total was for the whole war are just 1917 is uncertain, but if one recalls that the 63rd Royal Naval Division lost about three times its establishment in the course of the War (see Chief Petty Officer Langworthy, 3 July 1915) then the chances of remaining unscathed can be reckoned.
[What follows is interesting but relates to the incorrect date of death inscribed on the Memorial]
However, in the case of the Foresters more was to come, and in this Robert Stickland was to lose his life. The War Diary tells the story, and it might be best to simply relate what it says. The background is the devastating German offensive of March 1918.
On 23 March the Diary mentions heavy fighting on the previous day in which the Colonel had been killed. Read on: –
"the Bn. holding the line across the Somme, enemy attempt to raid across the river by the St Christie (on one case an officer and three men had been killed but the bridge and river still held).
25 March
"holding the line along the Somme
Troops on right withdrew leaving the right flank in the air.
Defensive flank formed.
Withdrew through Misery."
"having to fight way out"
26 March ""Still withdrawing"
27 March
"Took part in counter-attack on Harbonnieres. Successful."
"Bn. took up position line East of Harbonnieres".
28 March
"Holding line"
"Pushed back"
"Withdrew through Caix, Beaucourt and Morgeauil"
29 March "in reserve at Jummel"
30 March "in reserve at Jummel"
As the battalion was in reserve on the 29th it is probable that Robert Stickland died sometime earlier, unless he succumbed to wounds. The Parish magazine suggested 27th when the battalion was "having to fight way out". In all probability the actual day of his death will never be known.
Notes on sources
1. Parish magazine of St Mary and St Nicholas, Leatherhead, issue of December 1918.
2. List in the Parish magazine issue of May 1915 (courtesy of Mr L. Anstee of the Parish).
3. File W095–1721 War Diary of 1st Bn. Sherwood Foresters - Public Record Office, Kew, Richmond
Stop Press
Parish Magazine issue of May 1919 gives full names as Robert Henry. Besides being a member of All Saints' choir he was also in the CLB.
He was reported missing on 27th and now presumed killed on that date.
Stop Press
Soldiers Who Died in the Great War states name as R.H Strickland
Born Leatherhead
Enlisted Kingston upon Thames (New Malden)
Number 726652 L/Cpl 1st Bn. Sherwood Foresters
Killed in action France and Flanders 27 May
Formerly S4/04222 RASC
Further research
Lance
Corporal
STRICKLAND, R H
Note different spelling, it is believed that on this occasion CWGC
may be in error.
Service Number 72652
Died 27/05/1918
1st Bn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
Commemorated at SOISSONS
MEMORIAL
Location: Aisne, France
He has no known grave.
Robert Henry Stickland enlisted at Kingston-on-Thames, Surrey joining the Army Service Corps as a Private with service number S/4/040222. His occupation was Baker - Clerk in Railway Office and it was to a Field Bakery he was posted in the Army Service Corps. He was 5ft 9" in height and well-built.
His enlistment papers record that he had served with the Canadian Militia, 6th Rifles Vancouver BC.
He was transferred to the Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment) with service number 72652. He was a Lance Corporal when he was killed in action.
His Casualty Form Active Service records that:
- He was in 20th Field Bakery, Army Service Corps
He embarked for France on the Empress Queen at Southampton on 20 July 1915, disembarking at Le Havre on 21 July 1915. - He was treated for Scabies in November 1915.
- On 25 September 1916 he was posted to No.11 Field Bakery, ASC.
- He was granted leave from 9 December 1916 to 19 December 1916.
- On 22 April 1917 he was awarded a Good Conduct Badge.
- At a time when the Army was combing non-fighting units for men to go to the Front he was transferred to the Notts & Derby Regiment as Private on 15 October 1917.
- On 9 January 1918 he suffered a Gunshot Wound to the head and spent time being treated in hospital.
- On 1 May he was promoted to Lance Corporal.
His record ends with the note that he is assumed to have died on or since 27 May 1918.
From the July 1915 Leatherhead Parish Magazine: