THE  DOVER WAR MEMORIAL  PROJECT

 

war memorial at dusk, photographed by Michelle Cooper


World War I

 

CASUALTIES ON THE MEMORIAL

Surnames S part 3 of 3
(Surnames S (part 1 of 3, Sa to Sha) are here, Surnames S (part 2 of 3, She to Sp) are here)

Squibb, H. 
Harry Squibb, 56838, was a acting Regimental Serjeant Major in the 222nd HQ Brigade of the Royal Field Artillery. He had a long army career, having served in the South Africa campaign, and had been awarded the MSM, Long Service and Good Conduct medal.  He was 51 when he died in Mesopotamia (at Raundi?) on 22nd November 1917 from pneumonia, and is buried at the Baghdad (North Gate) War cemetery in Iraq.

He was the son of Charles and Frances Squibb, who lived in Broadmayne, Dorset, where he was born. He enlisted in Dorchester. His wife Margaret, born in Aldershot, and their daughter lived at 53 Astley Avenue, and later Mrs Squibb moved to 3 Williams Cottages, Danson Lane, Welling, Kent.  IN 1911 the family were living at 46 Dour Street, Dover.

On 30th June 1924, F G Hayward, an architect and surveyor from the Market Square informed the Town Clerk that he had found two names of casualties who had been on his staff but who had not yet been included on the list of those to be commemorated on the Town Memorial. One was Harry Squibb, the other Robert McTaggart.

Squire, B. B. 
Basil Brett Squire was a Lieutenant acting as Captain in the 460th battery, 15th Brigade, of the Royal Field Artillery. He was 20 when he died on 23 April 1917. He is buried at Tilloy British Cemetery in France.

He was the son of Basil Brett and Edith Jane Squire, who lived at 56 Leyburn Road, Dover, and in 1911 at 1 Leyburn Terrace. Mr Brett was born in Wivenhoe, Essex, and was a head brewer, and Mrs Brett was born in Mersea. They had four children in 1911, all born in Dover; Basil, Edith Mary, Edward Keith, and Hugh Noel.

*Stageman, J.
Possibly John James Stageman, who was born at St George's, Whitechapel in London in 1885, to John, a waterside labourer, and Clara, a trouser finisher. Clara Holverston and John Stageman married in Whitechapel in 1877.

John James Stageman married Ada Annie King, in 1908, and they had children: .Cleveland Lillian, born 1909, David J A, born 1913, and Dorothy C, born 1916. There were two further children, Ada E, born 1919, and Ellen S, born 1921. In 1911 the family were living at 258 Katherine Buildings, Cartwirght Street, Whitechapel. Later, Mrs Stageman lived at 47 Royal Albert Buildings, Whitechapel, London. She was born in Dover.

He enlisted in Stratford, and served as 15515 (or 15575) in the Royal Field Artillery, 103rd battery, 31st brigade, as a Gunner, and died when he was 30 on 5th June 1916. He is buried at the Salonika (Lembet Road) Military Cemetery, Greece, grave 143.

with thanks to Peter Simpson

Stamp, C.
Charles Stamp, PW213, was working as a labourer in the Admiralty Works in Dover in 1911. He was born in Dover, as were his mother, Martha, and his brothers Alfred and William, and sister Hilda. His father had died in 1898 in Dover.

Charles Stamp enlisted in Woolwich and lived in North Woolwich, and was a Lance Corporal in the 18th battalion of the Duke of Cambridge's Own (Middlesex Regiment).

His Company Officer wrote to his mother, Mrs Martha Stamp, of 15 Odo Road, Tower Hamlets, in his birth town, Dover, "He was working in a trench when a shell hit him, and he was killed instantly. Your son was one of my NCOs and I was very sorry indeed to lose so good a man. I am sure you will feel his loss very much, and I offer you my heartfelt sympathy in your loss.".  

Charles was 27 when he died on 11 May 1916. He is buried in the Cambrin Churchyard Extension cemetery, France.

Stanbridge, R. M. 
Robert Mark Stanbridge, 49074, was a Private in the 2nd battalion of the Northamptonshire Regiment (formerly 158604 RASC). He was 25 when he died in action on 26th March 1918, and is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial in France.

He was born in Dover and enlisted in Canterbury, and his parents were John William, a fruiterer, and Ada Mary Stanbridge, who lived at 10 De Burgh Street, Dover. In 1911 Robert was working as a telephone clerk, and was living with his sisters, Edith Emma, Winifred May, and Doris Catherine, all born in Dover, and their parents at 8 Wood Street.

Stanley, L. G.
Leslie George Stanley, L/9808, served in the 1st battalion of The Buffs. He died in action on 23rd October 1914, when he was 20. He is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial, Belgium.

Born at Christchurch, Dover, he enlisted and lived in Canterbury. He was the son of David, a shipwright, and Elizabeth Stanley, of 3 Saxon Street, Dover. In 1911 the family were living at 21 Military Road; Leslie was then working as a boot repairer. His sister, Ailsa, was 14, and his brother Sidney was 23 and serving as a gunner in the Royal Garrison Artillery. Both were born in Dover.

Statham, H. K. L.
HKL Statham, courtesy Dierdre Freethy
Hugh Kington Llewelyn Statham enlisted in Canada on 23 September 1914. He was the son of the Rev Samuel Percy Hammond Statham and his wife Meta, née Gill, who was the daughter of The Venerable Hugh Stowell Gill, Archdeacon of the Isle of Man, and Margaret, his wife, née Llewellyn. Hugh was born at Cheddar in Somerset on 3 November 1886, and was educated at Windlesham and Dover College before going alone in April 1903 to Canada.

On enlistment he was recorded as five feet nine inches tall, with several scars; two on his right forearm, one on the wrist of his left hand, and one on the middle finger of his left hand. He also had a mole in the centre of his back. His eyes were blue and his hair brown. He had been working as a rancher.

2nd Lt Statham was serving with 3rd battalion, attached to the 1st, of the Devonshires when he died on 6 September 1917. He was buried at the Coxyde Military Cemetery, Belgium, III F 10.

He left a wife, Margaret Renee, née Heneage, who lived at Thetis Island, British Columbia, when he enlisted, and later at Victoria. The couple had two children, Hugh Henry Llewellyn and Margaret Joan. Hugh would served in the Canadian Army during World War II with Margaret's husband, his friend Ken Ogden, who was wounded during the campaign in Italy.

with thanks to Dierdre Freethy

Note: Rev S P H Statham wrote a number of historical reference books. In 1899 he published, "The History of the Castle, Town and Port of Dover (London)". S P H Statham is noted as incumbent at St Mary in Castro, Dover, in 1901. He was an army chaplain, and died on 6 April 1940.

Stephenson, P. S. 
Philip Sydney Stephenson, G/14519, was a Private in the Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment). He died on 27th August 1916 in hospital from wounds at La Neuville, Corbie in France, which is where he is buried. He was 36.

His parents were Phyllis and the later Harker George Stephenson, and Philip was born in Buckland and spent most of his life there in Dover. She lived at Edith House, Heathfield Road, having moved there from 3 Buckland Avenue. His mother said that his home was always in Dover. However he enlisted in Clapham, and lived in Tooting.

R Stevens, courtesy Dover ExpressStevens, A. R.,  
Alexander Robert Stevens, 4331, was born in Belgium. He lived in Dover and was the son of Robert and Annie Stevens, and the brother of Harry, below. Their grandmother was Mrs Sarah Ann Walter, of 12 Longfield Road. In 1911 he was living with his grandmother and his aunt, Juliet Walter, at 1 Round Tower Street, Dover. He was then working as a milkman.

Before enlisting at Somerset House, he was a driver on the trams. He enlisted to become a Private serving in the 15th (County of London) battalion (Prince of Wales' Own Civil Service Rifles) of the London Regiment.

 He died of wounds on 4 June 1916 when he was 24. He is buried at Le Treport Military Cemetery, France.

EP Stevens, courtesy Dover ExpressStevens, E. P.   
Edward Percy Stevens, 2165, died in the Persian Gulf on 19th July 1916, while serving with the Indian Expeditionary Force. He enlisted and lived in Dover and was the youngest son of Mr Charles Stevens, of Primrose Road, and his wife's name was Emma J. Stevens. She lived at 69 Limekiln Street, and later at 29 Old Folkestone Road, Dover.

Major Carder, in command of Edward's battery, wrote to Mrs Stevens, "Dear Madam, It is with very great regret that I have to inform you of the death of your husband, Gunner Stevens, while serving in the Battery under my commands. His death occurred in hospital at ...... on 23rd July and was caused by malaria. You may rest assured that he received every possible care and attention during his illness. In the short time he served under me I always knew him as a keen hard-working soldier, and he would have risen quickly if he had been spared to us. I trust that the knowledge that he died doing his duty to his King and country may be some slight consolation to you in your sad bereavement. Yours very truly, C. Carder, RFA.".

Edward was serving with "A" battery, 222nd brigade, of the Royal Field Artillery when he died, and was aged 35. He is buried at Basra War Cemetery, Iraq. 

Stevens, G. V.  
Gorham Vinton Stevens was a Lieutenant in the 1/5th battalion of the Lincolnshire Regiment. He was 30 when he died on 18th January 1918 from double pneumonia after having been gassed in the trenches,  and is buried at the Chocques Military Cemetery in France.

He was the youngest son of the Rev L G Stevens, formerly curate of St Margaret's-at-Cliffe, and was educated at the Forst School, Snaresbrook, and at Dover College. He was said to be a good all-round scholar and a keen athlete. He was captain of the Acadia Valley football team, Alberta, and five other members of the side at least also died in the Great War. He also was said to led his men several times over the top, and to have "sterling soldierly qualifications", and to be "justly popular among his fellow officers and the rank and file".

He was the son of the Rev. Lorenzo Gorham Stevens and Susan Lynde Stevens (nee Waddell), of Acadia Valley, Alberta, Canada, and had left his farm in southern Alberta to join the army, gaining a commission, as did his solicitor brother.

StevensH, courtesy Dover ExpressStevens, H. 
Harry Stevens, 9831, was Private in the 3rd Toronto Regiment in the Canadian Infantry. He was born on 20th May 1893, in Belgium, of a Dovorian mother. He was brother to Alexander, above. He was five feet seven inches tall, with blue eyes and light brown hair, and was a Methodist. He was an active member of Beach Avenue Methodist Church, Toronto, and was secretary of the Epworth League and Brotherhood.

He had a vaccination mark on his left arm and a little dent over his right eye. When he enlisted on 20th May 1914 he gave Mrs A H Peacock of 153 (163?) Balsam Avenue, Barry Beach, Toronto, his foster mother, as his next of kin, and had already seen two years service in the QOR. He gave his occupation as a lithographer. 

He had written over 50 letters home since going overseas, but nothing was heard from him after 1st May 1915. His date of death is given by the CWGC as 2 May 1915, though he was reported missing in April and his relative  F. A. Walter gives the date of his death as 20th April 1915. He is commemorated on the Menin Gate memorial at Ypres in Belgium.

Stewart, A. W.  
Arthur Wallace Stewart, 26.637, was in the 4th battalion of the 3rd New Zealand Rifle Brigade. He died of wounds on 27th October 1918. He is buried at Vertigneuil Churchyard, Romeries, France

He was the son of Charles and Lucy Stewart of Castle Hill Road, Dover.

*Stewart, H. W. (W H.?)
William Henry Stewart, 310491, served as a Stoker, 1st Class, in the Royal Navy. He died when the HMS Pathfinder was destroyed by an enemy submarine off the Firth of Forth on 5 September 1914. He was 25. He is commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial in the United Kingdom.

He was born in Dover on 9 October 1887, and was the son of John Alexander and Catherine Stewart, of 62 Bulwark Street, Dover. In 1891 Mrs Stewart was lodging in Folkestone, at 25 East Street, with three children; Kate, 6, William, 2, and John, 2 months. They were all born in Folkestone. By 1901 the family was living at 1 Wellards Cottages, Bulwark Lane, Dover. Mr Stewart was then working as a marine porter.

Stewart, J. A. 
John Alexander Stewart, K25780, brother of Henry (above) was born in Folkestone on 18th December 1893. He was an assistant electrical examiner at the Ashford Railway Works before becoming a 1st class Stoker in the Royal Navy. Aboard the submarine L10 he was killed on 4th October 1918 when he was 26. The L10 was attacking an enemy destroyer S33, which, with S34 which struck a mine and was then lost, had come to search for survivors of a enemy convoy attacked the previous night.  

He is commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial in the United Kingdom.

with thanks to Gina Baines for pre-war occupation

*Stilwell, M. J. 
Montague James Stilwell was a Lieutenant in the Queens Own regiment. He served in the 4th battalion, and was 22 when he died in action on 30th June 1918. He is buried at the Bouzincourt Ridge Cemetery, Albert in France.

His parents were J E and Annie Stilwell, of Duncan, British Columbia, Canada.  

F Stitson, courtesy Dover ExpressStitson, F. 
Frank Stitson, G/13724, was a Private in the 6th battalion of The Buffs. He was 36 when he was killed in action on 27 March 1918. He is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial in France.

He was born, enlisted, and lived in Dover, and left a wife and six children, who lived at 25 Albany Place, Dover. Later his wife, Elizabeth Ann Stitson, moved to 21 Sidney Street, Folkestone. 

 

C Stokes, courtesy Dover ExpressStokes, C.
Charles Stokes, 9535, was the second son of Mr and Mrs Henry Stokes, of 16 North Street, Dover, and was born at Maxton. He was an old St Mary's school boy, and had enlisted in Dover. He returned from India in December 1914. He then went to Winchester to camp and train, and, with the 2nd battalion of the East Yorkshire Regiment, was sent to France on 16th January. Fewer than three weeks later, on 3rd February 1915, he was killed in action, at the age of 23. 

His machine gun officer Lieutenant A G Ottley wrote, "Your son was in my machine gun section, and one of the best of fellows and very popular with everyone. May I offer you my deepest sympathy. I was so sorry but he died like a soldier. I was next to him when he was hit. He and I were attempting to put the gun into position when he was hit. I am very thankful to say that he died without pain and at once. I was and am deeply grieved but I know you will be glad to know he died doing his duty and without any pain."  

Charles is commemorated on the Menin Gate memorial in Belgium. His brother, Horace, below, also fell

In Memoriam announcement, courtesy Dover Express
April 1940
In ever loving remembrance of our dear sons, Horace, who died of wounds at Rouen on April 17th 1918;  also Charlie, killed in action at Ypres, February 3rd 1915. From their ever loving Mum and Dad

Their father was engaged on duties in Dover for the South Eastern and Chatham Railway, and had also been in the Military Foot Police in Dover. He had been for many years in charge of the billiards room at the Dover Institute. The couple had three other sons; Bob, Bill, and Arthur

Stokes, F. J.
F J Stokes, courtesy Dover ExpressFrederick James (John?) Stokes. PW/6104, was employed by the Dover Corporation before he enlisted in Dover as G/9943 The Buffs, and later transferred to become a Private in the 17th battalion of the (Duke of Cambridge's Own) Middlesex regiment.

He had seen fourteen months service, and just before he was expected home on leave he died of wounds at the Base Hospital France on  27th December 1917. He was 29. He is buried in the Grevilliers British cemetery, France.

He was born at River, Dover, the eldest son of Mr and Mrs F. Stokes. He lived at Kearsney and left a widow, Alice Stokes, and a child, who lived at 10 Redvers Cottages, Kearsney, Dover. 

H Stokes gravestone, by Andy and Michelle CooperStokes, H.
H Stokes, courtesy Dover Express
Horace Stokes, 35063, enlisted in Dover in October 1915. He was a Private in the 2nd/7th battalion of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment (formerly 012701 RAOC). He was 23 when he died of wounds on 17th April 1918. He is buried at the St Sever Cemetery Extension in France.

Born in Hougham, he was the son of Henry and Annie Stokes, of 16 North Street, Dover. His brother Charles, above, also fell.

The words on the bottom of his headstone read:

Also in Memory of his Brother
9535 Private C. Stokes
East Yorkshire Regiment
3rd February 1918, age 25

L Stokes, courtesy Dover Express Stokes, L. L.
Leonard Lindsay Stokes, G/4800, was born in Dover, the son of Mrs E. Stokes, of Liverpool Street, in Dover.

He enlisted in Canterbury but lived in Margate. He died in action on 15th September 1916, as a Private in the 1st battalion of the Buffs. He now lies at Guillemont Road Cemetery, France, IX N 4.  (brothers and mother)

 

 

HF Strand, courtesy Dover ExpressStrand, H.
Hubert F. Strand, 6389, was a Rifleman in the 1st/18th (County of London) battalion (London Irish Rifles)of the London Regiment (formerly 3500 the 4th battalion of The Buffs). He died in action on 3rd October 1916 when he was 29, and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial  in France. 

Born and living in Dover, he was the son of Mrs Rosina Strand, and lived at 11 Redvers Cottages, Kearsney, and before enlisting in Canterbury worked at Buckland Paper Mills. 

Streat, C. W.
Cyril William Streat, L10486, was born in Putney and lived in Dover. He enlisted in Canterbury at the outbreak of the Great War, serving as a Private in the 7th battalion of The Buffs.

He was awarded the Military Medal on 19 January 1917. He died in action on 21 March 1918, and is buried at Ribemont Communal Cemetery Extension, Aisne in France.  

Cyril was the son of William Richard and Elizabeth Emily Streat, from 64 Clarendon Road, Dover. There were ten children in all, one of whom died  before 1911. Amongst the family were two brothers, below, and three sisters, Florrie, Nellie, and Edith.

 

Cyril's father, Sergeant William Streat, served in a Labour Corps during the Great War. He was a veteran of The Buffs, having served 21 years in the regiment and subsequently four years during the Boer War.

Lance-Corporal William Streat was the eldest son, and joined The Buffs as the Great War began. He had been wounded three times by 1917, and gained the DCM on 4  August 1917.

The second son was Charles, Edward who had joined the Royal Navy before the Great War. He served on one of the submarines.

This grave is at St James. The headstone reads, "In Loving Memory of Pte C Streat Late Buffs Killed In Action 21st March 1918 Aged 21 years. Also Edith Rose Sister of the above Died 4th January 1919 Aged 9 years "Safe in the arms of Jesus". Also of William R Streat Father of the above Died 17th March 1940 Aged 73 years "Rest in Peace". Also of Elizabeth Emily Wife of the above Died 21st January 1954 Aged 84 years "At Rest".

Around the kerbstones is written, "Also of Irene Edith Jefferies Also in loving memory of Elsie May Called to rest 10th Dec 1973 Aged 67 years.  Also of Roger P C Jefferies".

notes: Elsie May Streat was born 2 April 1906. She was one of Cyril's sisters.
Irene Edith Jefferies was the daughter of Frances Mary Streat, one of Cyril's sisters, who married Frederick Whiting in 1926. Roger Jefferies was the son of Irene and her husband Charles Jefferies, born in about 1948.

WC Stubbs, courtesy Dover ExpressStubbs, W. C.
William Charles Stubbs, 1087, was a Serjeant in the 4th Dragoon Guards (Royal Irish)of the Household Cavalry and Cavalry of the Line (including Yeomanry and Imperial Camel Corps).

He was killed in action near Lille on 20th October 1914. A report states: "He was advancing on a German trench in a dismounted action, and was struck by a bullet from a machine gun and died in ten minutes. His body could not be recovered, but was buried during the night by the British Infantry at the spot where he fell." He is commemorated on the Menin Gate memorial in Belgium.

Born at Tower Hamlets and enlisting in Dover, he was the son of the late Mr and Mrs A. C. Stubbs (baker). He lived in Gillingham, and left a wife and baby son, Alexander Charles Stubbs.

with thanks to David Stubbs

*Sturges, A.
Arthur Sturges, 57810, was a Private in the 2nd battalion of the Worcestershire Regiment. He died in action on 13th October 1918, and is commemorated on the Vis-en-Artois memorial in France. He was born in London, enlisted in Canterbury, and lived in Folkestone.

Associated with Holy Trinity, it was R Hodgson, of 8 Clarence Lawn, who requested he should be placed on the Memorial 

DC Sumner, courtesy Dover ExpressSumner, D. C.
David Charles Sumner, 8827, was a Company Serjeant Major in the 2nd battalion of the Worcester DC Sumner, courtesy Dover ExpressRegiment.  He had been awarded the Medaille Militaire and the DCM.  

The General in command of his Division wrote, "Your Commanding Officer and Brigade Commander have informed me that you have distinguished yourself by conspicuous bravery in the field on 26th September 1915. I have read their reports, and although promotion and decorations cannot be given in every case I should like you to know that your gallant action is recognised, and how greatly it is appreciated." During an advance on enemy trenches all the officers became casualties, and CSM Sumner took command until the next morning when he was relieved.  

He died of wounds on 8 May 1916 aged 28, and was buried at Bethune Town Cemetery, France.

CSM Sumner was born in Ash, Surrey, the son of William or George William, a general labourer and beer house keeper, and Caroline Sumner. In 1901 David was was working as a printer's office boy and living at Firacre Road, Ash, with his widowed mother and siblings Esther, James, Lucy, and Carrie. His eldest sister, Minnie, was not at home.

David enlisted in Aldershot, probably around 1907. A newspaper report of 1911 records him as a witness at an inquest into the drowning in Dover of two soldiers, stating that he had known one of the deceased "from the office" for some three years. At that time the 3rd Worcestershires, in which David was serving, had been stationed at the Shaft Barracks, Western Heights, Dover, from probably 1909, after a year's service in South Africa in 1908.

On 4 November 1911, at Christ Church, Hougham, he married Miss Rose Emma Simmons, the daughter of labourer Alfred Charles Simmons. Miss Simmons, born in Nonington, had been working as domestic servant  in Dover for watchmaker and jeweller Samuel Highley of 2 St John's Road. The address given by the couple on their marriage was 197 Clarendon Street; David's occupation was "soldier".

The couple probably had two sons, David, born 1912, in Dover, and Edward, born 1914, in the Farnham area. Shortly after Edward's birth, on 13 August 1914, the battalion went from Tidworth, where they were stationed, to Southampton, sailing the following day for France.

Mrs Sumner later lived at 33 Hardwicke Road, Maxton, Dover. She requested that her husband's name should be on the Memorial, and at the unveiling a wreath was laid from his wife and sons for CSM Sumner DCM.

C Swaby, courtesy Dover ExpressSwaby, C.
Charles Swaby, 312044, was born at Dymchurch, Kent, on 27 February 1888. He was the son of Mr Charles and Mrs Ellen Swaby, who later lived at 6 Sydney Terrace, Folkestone Road, Dover.

In 1891 the family were living at no 2 Cottage (Lydden Spout), Hougham, Kent. Mr Swaby had come from Nottinghamshire and Mrs Swaby from Southampton, which was where their first daughter, Ellen, then 10, was born. The next three children had been born at Dymchurch - Charles, 9, Francis, 8, and Edward, 7. Maud, 6, William, 3, and Bertie, 2, were born at Sandgate, while Florence, 10 months, had been born at Hougham. By 1901 the family were at 6 Clarendon Road, Dover, and joined by Ethel, then 9, Frederick, 6, Albert, 4, Laura, 2, and John, 7 months. The last five children were born in Dover. Charles was by then working as a Port Office Boy, while Edward was a grocers' shop boy and Maud was a general domestic servant. Mr Swaby was employed as a carpenter's labourer.

 Charles became a leading stoker in the Royal Navy, and died on New Year's Day 1915, when at 2am HMS Formidable was struck by enemy submarine torpedoes and sunk within two hours off Lyme Regis.

He is commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial in the United Kingdom, panel 11.

P B Symes, courtesy Dover ExpressSymes, P. B.
Percy B. Symes, G7004, was born at Hythe and lived in Dover. He enlisted in London to become a Private in The Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment), and began at Shoreham-by-Sea. He was listed as wounded and missing on 23 April 1917, and later confirmed as dead. He is commemorated on the Arras memorial in France.

He was the stepson of Pioneer J Litchfield, who was also serving in France, and whose address in 1917 was 38 George Street. Prior to that his mother and sister were living at 9 Erith Street. Percy had also a brother in law and eleven cousins serving. 

Surnames S (part 1 of 3 - Sa to Sha) are here
Surnames S (part 2 of 3 - She to Sp) are here


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