SPENCE, JAMES MCKENZIE, Sergt., No. 12/218, 15th North Auckland Regt., Signalling Division, Headquarters Staff, New Zealand Expeditionary Force, s. of James Mearns Spence, of Deveron Street, Whangarei, New Zealand; b. Whangarei aforesaid, 16 June, 1886; educ. there; was for some years a Reporter on the Staff of the Whangarei “Northern Mail” and “Northern Advocate,” subsequently becoming sub-editor of the “North Auckland Times” at Dargaville; volunteered for Imperial service on the outbreak of war; joined the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, 15 Aug. 1914; left for Egypt as a signaller with the main body, was successively promoted Corpl. and Sergt., and was killed in action at the Dardanelles, 16 Nov. 1915; unm.

SPENCER, CHARLES JAMES, Capt., 2nd Battn. Devonshire Regt., eldest s. of Charles Alfred Spencer, of Stoughton Lane, Leicester, by his wife, Mary, dau. of James Warwick, of Longthorpe, near Peterborough; b. Leicester, 10 Jan. 1879; educ. Charterhouse; joined the Cardigan Artillery Militia in 1898; gazetted 2nd Lieut. to the Devonshire Regt., 18 Oct. 1899, and promoted Lieut. 11 May, 1901, and Capt. 14 July, 1908; served in the South African War, 1899–1902; took part in the advance on, and relief of Ladysmith, being with the 2nd Battn. in Major-Gen. Hildeyard’s Brigade, while the 1st Battn. was shut up in the town; operations of 17–24 Jan. 1900, and action at Spion Kop; operations of 5–7 Feb. 1900, and action at Vaal Kranz; operations on Tugela Heights (14–27 Feb. 1900) and action at Pieters Hill; operations in Natal, March to June 1900, including action at Laings Nek (6–9 June); and those in the Transvaal, Nov. 1901 to 31 May, 1902; was severely wounded and received the Queen’s medal with five clasps and King’s medal with two clasps. He was Adjutant of the 7th (Territorial) Cyclist Battn. of the Devonshires from 14 July, 1908 to 29 Feb. 1912. On the outbreak of war he went to France with the Expeditionary Force, 5 Nov. 1914, and was killed in action, 18 Dec. 1914, while leading his company in an attack on the German trenches. Buried near Estaires. Capt. Spencer m. at Pennycross Church, near Plymouth, 20 Oct. 1909, Katherine Margaret (Crapstone House, Yelverton, South Devon), yst. dau. of the late Robert Bayly, of Torr, Plymouth, and had a son, Charles Richard, b. 5 Dec. 1910.

SPENCER, JOHN, Private, No. 572, 5th Coy., 2/5th Battn. King’s Liverpool Regt. (T.F.), s. of William Spencer, of Liverpool, Watch Finisher; b. Liverpool, 1854; educ. Corporation School there; enlisted in the R.G.A. (Militia) and served with them 22 years (Long Service medal and certificate); re-enlisted in Oct. 1914, and was accidentally drowned in Carrier’s Dock, Liverpool, 27 Dec. following, while on service. He m. at St. Nicholas Church, Liverpool, Mary Jane (23, Back Strickland Street, Liverpool), dau. of (—) Young, and had five children: William, b. 28 Oct. 1878; John, b. 22 July, 1891, R.N.; George, b. 30 Jan. 1896; Margaret, b. 5 June, 1882; and Emily, b. 14 May, 1898.

SPENDLOW, JOHN JAMES, Leading Seaman, 237135, H.M.S. Cressy; lost in action in the North Sea, 22 Sept. 1914.

SPICE, ALBERT, Cook’s Mate, 1766, H.M.S. Good Hope; lost in action off Coronel, on the coast of Chili, 1 Nov. 1914.

SPICE, ROBERT WILLIAM, Stoker, 1st Class, K. 9019, H.M.S. Pathfinder; lost when that ship was sunk by a mine, about 20 miles off the East Coast, 5 Sept. 1914.

SPICER, ARTHUR JOHN, Stoker, 1st Class (R.F.R., B. 2214), 301561, H.M.S. Good Hope; lost in action off Coronel, on the coast of Chili, 1 Nov. 1914.

SPICER, GEORGE HENRY, Gunner, 35031, 41st Battery, 42nd Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, 3rd s. of George Spicer, of Frindsbury, Rochester, Kent, by his wife, Jane; b. Frindsbury, 23 Jan. 1885; enlisted 1 Feb. 1905; served seven years with the Colours then passing into the Reserve, was employed at Messrs. Lysaght’s Works, Newport, Mon.; mobilised 5 Aug. 1914; went to France, 20 Aug. 1914, and died in No. 7 Stationary Hospital, Boulogne, 9 Nov. following, of wounds received in action at Neuve Chapelle in a gallant attempt to save Lieut. Towell. Major H. A. Hamilton, Commanding 41st Battery, wrote: “I am sure you would like to know how your husband gave his life for his country. I need not say how much I and all his comrades sympathise with you in your great loss, but you may have a little consolation in knowing that he was severely wounded in performing a gallant act, which was reported to his commanding officer and brought to the notice of the general officer commanding the division.” He m. at St. Woolo’s Church, Newport, Mon., 1 June, 1914, Beatrice Amelia, dau. of Henry George Evans, of 19, Victoria Crescent, Newport; s.p.

SPICER, MAURICE ARNOTT, Corpl., No. 81840, 32nd, attd. 10th, Battn. Canadian Expeditionary Force, 5th s. of the late Herbert Spicer, of Cranbourne, St Margarets near Ware, by his wife, Martha McMurray, dau. of David Arnott; b. Hambledon, co. Surrey, 23 April, 1882; educ. Mill Hill; was sisal growing in the West Indies from 1900 to 1903, afterwards farming in Canada until the outbreak of the European War; enlisted in the 32nd Battn. 21 Oct. 1914; came over with the reinforcements for the first contingent in March, 1915; went to France with a draft for the 10th Battn. early in April, 1915, and was killed in action at Festubert, 22 May, 1915; unm.

SPIELMANN, HAROLD LIONEL ISIDORE, Capt., 1/10th Battn. Manchester Regt. (T.F.), yr. s. of Sir Isidore Spielmann, of 56, Westbourne Terrace, Hyde Park, W., C.M.G., F.S.A., by his wife, Emily, dau. of the late Sir Joseph Sebag-Montefiore; b. London, 12 Jan. 1893; educ. Clifton and Pembroke College, Cambridge (B.A. June, 1914); gazetted 2nd Lieut., 2/10th (Oldham) Battn. Manchester Regt., from the University O.T.C., 14 Oct. 1914; was promoted Capt. in March, 1915, to date as from 28 Nov. 1914; volunteered with the greater part of the battalion for foreign service; landed in Gallipoli, in command of a draft, 25 July, 1915, and was killed in an attack on the Turkish position, 13 Aug. following; unm. Lieut.-Col. G. Robinson, commanding 10th Manchesters, wrote: “He only joined us about three weeks ago, when he arrived in command of a draft of 248 men, and I was so impressed with his keenness and energy that I put him in command of a company. My judgment was fully borne out. Your son worked hard, and I felt I could always rely on him. On the evening of the 12th inst. a battalion next to us in the fire trenches lost a portion of a trench on their front, and I was forced to organise a counter-attack by one hundred men of my battn. under your son and two other officers. Your son was in command of his section of the attack, and carried out his orders with skill and gallantry. He reached his objective, but was immediately killed, and his men had eventually to fall back under strong opposition. His death, by bullets, was instantaneous.... Our men had done well, and we regained most of what had been lost, but they were ‘done,’ and I lost many of them besides my excellent young officer Spielmann.... It was crushing to me losing him. He was a ‘gentleman officer’ with such high notions of chivalry, honour and esprit de corps. I considered him one of my best officers, and had just recommended him for a permanent captaincy, as I had such a high opinion of his capabilities. Your boy died a hero’s death in his country’s cause, and that must ever be a source of satisfaction and comfort to you, and one in which you must all take a pride—falling in action gallantly leading his men. What more can a soldier ask for?”

SPIERS, HAROLD ALFRED, Boy, 1st Class, J 23568 (Ports.), H.M.S. Hawke; lost when that ship was torpedoed in the North Sea, 15 Oct. 1914.

SPIERS, WILLIAM JOHN, Stoker, Petty Officer (R.F.R., A. 2103), 131072 (Ports.), H.M.S. Hogue; lost in action in the North Sea. 22 Sept. 1914.

SPILLARNE, CORNELIUS WILLIAM, Stoker, 1st Class, 308380, H.M.S. Pathfinder; lost when that ship was sunk by a mine, about 20 miles off the East Coast, 5 Sept. 1914.

SPINDLER, DAVID, Stoker, 1st Class, 289816, H.M.S. Cressy; lost in action in the North Sea, 22 Sept. 1914.

SPINKS, FREDERICK HERMAN VICTOR, Rifleman, No. 10489, B Coy., 1st Battn. King’s Royal Rifle Corps, 2nd s. of Thomas Samuel Spinks, of 114, Leucha Road, St. James’ Street, Walthamstow, by his wife, Clara, dau. of Frederick Herman Greenslade; b. Clapton, N., 29 Oct. 1896; educ. Coppermill Road Council School, Walthamstow; enlisted 27 Jan. 1912; served with the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders from 13 Aug. 1914; served through the retreat from Mons, etc., and was killed in action two days before his 18th birthday, near Ypres, 27 Oct. 1914. A comrade wrote: “He was killed in action the same day as Prince Maurice of Battenberg. His company had advanced against the Germans and taken up a position for the night. He could have lain down and gone to sleep, because he was a signaller, but the man next him had to do two two hours on duty looking through the porthole in the trench, and as he felt a bit bad, your poor boy offered to do it for him. Well, Fred had not been looking out for more than ten minutes when a bullet struck him in the head, and he must have died instantaneously. I cannot tell you more particulars now, but I know it was near Ypres. I was entrusted to write your letter because Fred was a signaller, and I am one of the few that are left.” He gained the 3rd class certificate for education, 23 Feb. 1912, and the 2nd class, 2 April, 1912.

SPITTLE, FRANK THOMAS, Rifleman, No. 2857, A Coy., 1/9th Battn. (Queen Victoria’s Rifles) The London Regt. (T.F.), yst. s. of Augustus Alfred Spittle, of 41, Manby Road, Leyton Road, Stratford, Essex, by his wife, Ellen Emily, dau. of George Abbott, of Maldon, Essex; b. Stratford, 25 April, 1896; educ. Downsell Road Council School, Leyton, and County High School, Leytonstone; volunteered and joined Queen Victoria’s Rifles on the outbreak of war; went to France, 22 Jan. 1915, and was killed in action, 23 Feb. 1915. Buried Wulverghem Cemetery. Major Lees (since killed in action) wrote; “He was one of a working party repairing the parapet of the trench during a mist, which suddenly lifted, and the Germans opened fire, and he was hit before he could get under cover, and died a few minutes later. He was very popular with his comrades and will be sadly missed.”

SPITTLES, THOMAS ROBERT, Stoker, 1st Class, No. K. 726, 3rd s. of Francis Edward Spittles, of South Hayling, by his wife, Elizabeth Bessie, dau. of Robert Applin; joined the Royal Navy about May, 1907, and was lost on H.M.S. Lynx, 9 Aug. 1915, when that ship was sunk by a mine in the North Sea. He m. at Portsmouth, Alice Georgina May (Rose Cottage, South Mundham), dau. of George Horne.

SPOONER, ALEXANDER, Leading Stoker, K. 114, H.M.S. Pathfinder; lost when that ship was sunk by a mine, about 20 miles off the East Coast, 5 Sept. 1914.

SPOONER, CHARLES ALBERT VICTOR, Boy, 1st Class, J. 26754, H.M.S. Hawke; lost when that ship was torpedoed in the North Sea, 15 Oct. 1914.

SPOONER, WILLIAM CHARLES, Private, R.M.L.I., Ch./16147, H.M.S. Hawke; lost when that ship was torpedoed in the North Sea, 15 Oct. 1914.

SPORTON, GEORGE HERBERT, A.B. (Coastguard), 206749, H.M.S. Cressy; lost in action in the North Sea, 22 Sept. 1914.

SPRINGALL, WILLIAM EGLETON, Leading Seaman (R.F.R., Ch. B. 5437), 178793, H.M.S. Cressy; lost in action in the North Sea, 22 Sept. 1914.

SPRUNT, ALEXANDER DALZELL, 2nd Lieut., 4th Battn. Bedfordshire Regt., attd. 2nd Battn. South Staffordshire Regt., 2nd s. of John Dalziel Sprunt, of 3, East India Avenue, London, E.C., and Montgomerie, Berkhampsted, by his wife, Jane, dau. of John Naismith; b. Hampstead, London, 7 Jan. 1891; educ. Berkhampsted School, and New College, Oxford, where he graduated with honours in July, 1914, and was nominated Assistant Professor of Natural History at Glasgow University, obtaining his degree the week that war was declared. Having served for about 10 years in the Officers Training Corps, he and his brother (also killed in action) were offered commissions. He accepted and was gazetted 2nd Lieut., 4th Bedfordshire Regt., 15 Aug. 1914, being ordered to join his Regt. at once at Dovercourt. Later he was detailed to take out a draft to the Base at Havre, and from there took up a draft of the Guards to the trenches, where he was attd. to the 2nd South Staffordshires, with whom he remained till he was mortally wounded, bring shot down about 15 yards from the enemy’s lines. He died in hospital at Lillers, France, 17 March, 1915, of wounds received in action on the 10th, near Neuve Chapelle. His company had been chosen to lead the attack, and he was shot down about 15 yards from the enemy’s lines, where he seems to have lain from morning till night, when he was rescued and finally taken to Lillers. He was buried in the cemetery there; unm.

SPRUNT, EDWARD LAWRENCE, Private, No. 1510, 1st Battn. Honourable Artillery Coy. (Stretcher-bearer Section), 3rd s. of John Dalziel Sprunt, of 3 East India Avenue, London, E.C., and Montgomerie, Berkhampsted, by his wife, Jane, dau. of John Naismith; b. Hampstead, London, 28 Aug. 1892; educ. Berkhampsted School, and Jesus College, Oxford, at which latter he held an open exhibition. Having served about nine years in the O.T.C., he was offered a commission on the outbreak of war, but being eager to go to the Front as soon as possible, and thinking he would probably be sent for months to a regimental depôt to train recruits (as his elder brother was), he enlisted as a Private in the Honourable Artillery Coy., and went to the Front with them and served through the winter of 1914–15. Later was again offered a commission and the War Office instructed his Col. to send him home that he might take it up. After getting his discharge he went back to the Col. and said he had heard there was to be a battle next day, and as he did not wish to leave on the eve of it, he asked permission to remain and see his comrades through it. The Col. replied that as he had put it so gallantly he could not refuse his request, and so he might remain. That evening the Battn. went up to the trenches and was under fire about 36 hours, including the fierce fight of 16 June, 1915, losing about half its numbers. On 17 June, about 2 a.m., near Chateau Hooge, Belgium, he was helping to carry a wounded comrade on a stretcher, and had got within about 15 yards of the dressing station, when a shell came over and exploded underneath the stretcher, killing him and two others, and wounding the remaining two stretcher-bearers. He was buried on the battlefield, near the Ypres-Menin Road; unm. His commanding officer wrote: “Your son had the opportunity of not going up (to the trenches) and of returning home, but refused to leave his comrades at such a time, and so showed a magnificent spirit—worthy of a man in this Regt. He discharged his duties with great valour under great danger. The circumstances were such as to lead me to specially recommend him for gallant conduct, and the enclosed card has been received from the General. I have pleasure in sending it to you, while regretting very much the circumstances which have been greatly appreciated by his comrades.” The card is of the first class, being printed in gilt letters, the ordinary card being in black letters. It reads: “Third Division, British Expeditionary Force, 1510, Private E. L. Sprunt, Hon. Artillery Coy. Your commanding officer and brigade commander have informed me that you distinguished yourself by your conduct in the field on 16 June, 1915. I have read their report with much pleasure, and have brought it to the notice of higher authority.” Later the Assistant Military Secretary wrote that he had been mentioned in a despatch from F.M. Sir John French “for gallant and distinguished service in the field.” “I am to express to you the King’s high appreciation of these services, and to add that His Majesty trusts that their public acknowledgment may be of some consolation in your bereavement.”

SPRY, ERNEST JOHN, A.B. (R.F.R., B. 2224), 181820, H.M.S. Good Hope; lost in action off Coronel, on the coast of Chili, 1 Nov. 1914.

SPURDEN, WILLIAM, Private, No. 7194, 1st Battn. Royal West Kent Regt.; served with the Expeditionary Force in France, etc.; killed in action, 17 Nov. 1914; m.

SQUIBB, FRED, Private, G. 909, 1st Battn. Royal West Surrey Regt., s. of Frederick Squibb, of West Clandon, Surrey; served with the Expeditionary Force in France, etc.; died 5 Sept. 1915, of wounds received in action.

SQUIRE, ALAN RICHARD, Sergt., No. 10/782, Wellington Infantry Battn., eldest s. of Richard Jas. Squire, of Hawera, Taranaki, New Zealand, by his wife, Charlotte Louisa, dau. of the late Josiah Claridge, Carpenter; b. Hawera, 12 Sept. 1892; educ. Hawera, N.Z.; was a Painter and Signwriter; volunteered on the outbreak of war and joined the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, 7 Aug. 1914; left for Egypt with the main body as a gunner; arrived at Gallipoli, 7 May, 1915, and served there for three months, taking part in the severe fighting during that period; was promoted Sergt. the beginning of Aug., and was killed in action there a few days later, 7 Aug. 1915; unm. At the time he was killed he was temporarily in charge of the machine-guns, most of the officers having been killed or wounded.

SQUIRE, STANLEY CHARLES, Lieut., 7th (Service) Battn. Gloucestershire Regt., 2nd s. of the Rev. Charles Edward Squire, M.A., Vicar of Southrop, Lechlade, co. Gloucester, by his wife, Florence Charlotte, dau. of Morgan Yeatman, of Shawfield, Bromley, Kent; b. Llangrove Vicarage, near Ross, co. Hereford, 26 June, 1893; educ. St. John’s School, Leatherhead, and Corpus Christi College, Oxford (Science Scholar); gazetted 2nd Lieut. to the Gloucestershire Regt., 26 Aug. 1914; promoted Lieut., 27 Jan. 1915; sailed on 22 June for the East; was at Cape Helles on 8 July for a few weeks, then took part in the Expedition to Suvla Bay, where he was killed in action while in charge of the machine-gun section, 9 Aug. 1915, on Chanak Bair. They occupied an exposed position, and he was hit by a bullet after bandaging a wounded man, and killed instantaneously, early in the day. The only two survivors (Stokes and Bennett), who returned later on with the last machine gun, received the D.C.M. He was unm. His brother, Capt. G. F. Squire, of the same Battn., was wounded the same day.

SQUIRES, FRANCIS CHAVASSE, Capt. and Adjutant, 23rd Sikh Pioneers, Indian Army, yr. s. of the late Rev. Henry Charles Squires, M.A., for 20 years Church Missionary Society Missionary, Western India, and afterwards Vicar of Holy Trinity, Richmond, Surrey, by his wife, Ada Martha (23, West Park, Eltham, S.E.), dau. of Thomas Chavasse, of Wylde Green House, Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham, F.R.C.S., and nephew of the Right Rev. Francis James Chavasse, D.D., Lord Bishop of Liverpool; b. West Chiltington Rectory, co. Sussex, 22 Feb. 1885; educ. St. Paul’s School (Foundation Scholar) and Sandhurst; gazetted 2nd Lieut. 5 Aug. 1905, and attached to the East Surreys in India, and the following year transferred to the Indian Army and posted to the 23rd Sikh Pioneers. He became Lieut. 5 Aug. 1907, and was appointed Adjutant, 25 Oct. 1912. He served in the Zakka Khel Expedition, 1908, for which he received a medal, and on the outbreak of the European War obtained his Company, 5 Aug. 1914. Capt. Squires was wounded in action at Lahej, 5 July, 1915, and died at Aden on the 7th; unm. His commanding officer wrote: “His high and sterling qualities were never better shown that on the extremely hard march to Lahej, in intense heat, when he was indefatigable and untiring in going back along the column, assisting men and getting them water, etc., and keeping me informed of everyone’s position. He reached me at Lahej just as the Turkish attack began, and throughout the early part of the night did magnificent work conveying orders to different units, and keeping me informed of their positions.... At about 11 p.m. the advanced line was withdrawn to an enclosure.... At your son’s urgent request I allowed him to go out with some men to keep clear a portion of the road near at hand. It was while carrying out this order that he received a gunshot wound.... He died on 7 July, and was buried in Aden that evening.... As a regt. we mourn the loss of a gallant officer and a kindly friend. Indian officers and men all express their deep grief. I lose a trusted Adjutant, and one whose sincere friendship I am proud to know I always held. His was a fine end, and I know he was contented it came thus in action.” He was an enthusiastic soldier, devoted to the well-being of his men, a good linguist and an excellent musician.

SQUIRRELL, JOHN WILLIAM, Private, No. 16149, 1st Battn. The Suffolk Regt., 3rd s. of James William Squirrell, of Hill Cottage, Hintlesham, by his wife, Emma, dau. of the late John (and Ann) Percy; b. Hintlesham, co. Suffolk, 15 June, 1884; educ. there; was a Stockman; enlisted after the outbreak of war, 6 Nov. 1914; went to France about 20 May, and was killed in action at Ypres, 25 May, 1915. He m. at Hintlesham, 28 Dec. 1908, and had two sons: Stanley William, b. 12 Jan. 1910; and Jack Reggie, b. 21 Jan. 1914.

STABLE, LOSCOMBE LAW, Capt., 2nd Battn. Royal Welch Fusiliers, eldest surviving s. of Daniel Wintringham Stable, of Plas Llwyn, Owen, Llanbrynmair, co. Montgomery, and of Holly Lodge, Wanstead, co. Essex, LL.B., J.P., Barrister-at-Law, and a Director of the Prudential Assurance Company, by his wife, Gertrude Mary, dau. of George Still Law, M.A., Barrister-at-Law, of Lincoln’s Inn; b. Wanstead, 21 March, 1886; educ. The Wells House, Malvern Wells, Winchester (Fort’s House), and the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, and passed out with honours; gazetted 2nd Lieut., Royal Welch Fusiliers, 2 Feb. 1907, and promoted Lieut. 11 April, 1911, and Capt. 21 Oct. 1914; went to France, 10 Aug. 1914, and was killed in action in the trenches about four miles south of Armentières, facing the village of Vertouquet and Rouge Bancs, 26 Oct. 1914; unm. Buried in La Cordonnerie Farm, close to Armentières, and about two miles from Fromelles. Col. H. Delmé Radcliffe wrote: “About your gallant son, who was one of the subalterns in the Battn. under my command. He was a most excellent soldier—fearless to a degree, and always the most cheerful of companions, and was therefore most popular with his brother officers, and in his death is most deeply regretted by all ranks. He received his death wound, so it was reported to me, going to the assistance of one of the men who was wounded and lying outside of the trenches. This was just like him, as he was always a model of unselfishness and thoughtfulness for others.” Private Ellis, the wounded man, was saved. Capt. Stable had some experience of mountaineering and winter Alpine sports, and was a fine polo player, having played for his regt. at Meiktila, Shwebo, Bhamo, Maymyo, Mandalay, Quetta, Bareilly, Meerut, Allahabad, Cawnpore, Lucknow, and finally in the winning team for the Infantry Polo Tournament at Delhi in 1913.

STACEY, JAMES, Private, No. 11395, 1st Battn. Coldstream Guards, s. of George Stacey, of 62, Fergusson Road, Attercliffe, Sheffield, by his wife, Emily, dau. of William Hancock; b. Attercliffe, 27 Feb. 18—; educ. Council School there; enlisted in the 4th Reserve Battn. 1 Sept. 1914, and was posted to the 1st Battn. after action at Givenchy, 22 Dec. 1914. He was reported missing, and is now assumed to have been killed on that date; unm.

STACEY, RICHARD JOHN, Officer’s Cook, 2nd Class, L. 1597, (Dev.), H.M.S. Good Hope; lost in action off Coronel, on the coast of Chili, 1 Nov. 1914.

STACKHOUSE, WILLIAM THOMAS, Capt., 2nd, attd. 1st, Battn. Sherwood Foresters, elder s. of the late William Anthony Stackhouse, of Taitlands, Settle, J.P., V.D., Major, 3rd Duke of Wellington’s West Riding Regt., by his wife, Marian Frances (Casterton Grange, Kirkby Lonsdale), dau. of the late William Hodgson Hale, of Arrerille, Kirkby Lonsdale; b. Settle, co. York, 8 Aug. 1883; educ. Riber Castle, Matlock; Harrow, and the Royal Military College, Sandhurst; gazetted 2nd Lieut., Lancashire Fusiliers, 4 Nov. 1903; and promoted Lieut. 13 March, 1907, and Capt. 21 Jan. 1913; served with the 4th Lancashires at the Curragh and in Tipperary, but on its disbandment under the Territorial scheme was posted to the 1st Battn. at Malta, from which he was specially promoted to the Sherwood Foresters in 1907, and served with the 2nd Battn. at Kinsale, Aldershot, Plymouth and Sheffield. When his Battn. went to France in Sept. 1914, he was left at home to train the New Army, and was made Adjutant of the 10th Battn., 7 Sept. 1914; was transferred to the Royal Berkshires in Oct., but eventually went to France in Nov., attd. to the 1st Sherwood Foresters, and was killed in action at Neuve Chapelle, 11 March, 1915. Buried there. He was a keen sportsman—shooting, tennis, polo and motoring being among his favourite pursuits. The following are extracts taken from letters received from his commanding officer and others: “He was one of the most popular men in the Battn., and his death is indeed a great blow to all of us. He was always so cheery, even under the most adverse circumstances, and I ... had a high appreciation of his many good qualities.” “He really performed most gallant service the whole time, and although I know he was not a strong man, he stuck it, and showed us all an excellent example, we all loved him.” He m. at All Souls, Langham Place, London, 7 Dec. 1912, Theodora Charlotte, 2nd dau. of Alfred Reginald Norrington, of Abbotsfield, Plymouth; s.p.

STACPOOLE, GEORGE ERIC GUY, Lieut., 1st Battn. Royal Irish Regt., eldest s. of Richard George Stacpoole, of 26, Walton Street, Hans Place, London, and of co. Clare, by his wife, Edith Maude, dau. of Sir Edward Dean Paul, 4th Bart., and great grandson of the late Richard John de la Zouche Stacpoole, of Eden Vale, co. Clare; b. Sefton Park, Liverpool, 10 Jan. 1892; educ. Eton and the Royal Military College, Sandhurst; gazetted 2nd Lieut., Royal Irish Regt., 4 Nov. 1911, and promoted Lieut. 16 Aug. 1914; joined his Regt. at Nasirabad, India, in Jan. 1912, and while stationed there went in for transport work, and passed the appointed course; returned to England in Nov. 1914; went to France in Dec. with the 27th Division, and was killed in action at St. Eloi, 27 Jan. 1915; unm. Buried in Dickebusch Cemetery. His commanding officer wrote: “I very much deplore his loss, as a gallant officer, fearless, true and upright, and popular with all ranks of his Battn.”

STAFF, SAMUEL ROYAL, Leading Seaman (R.F.R., Ch. B. 10485), 215096, H.M.S. Aboukir; lost in action in the North Sea, 22 Sept. 1914.

STAFFORD, ALFRED, Private, R.M.L.I., Ch./16390, H.M.S. Aboukir; lost in action in the North Sea, 22 Sept. 1914.

STAFFORD, ROWLAND HERBERT, Stoker, 1st Class, K. 3801, H.M.S. Aboukir; lost in action in the North Sea, 22 Sept. 1914.

STAGG, JOSEPH ALBERT EDWARD, 2nd Yeoman of Signals (R.F.R., Ch. B. 2117), 182790, H.M.S. Cressy; lost in action in the North Sea, 22 Sept. 1914.

STAHL, ERNEST FRANK, Private, No. 2685, 1/21st Battn. (1st Surrey Rifles) The London Regt. (T.F.), yst. s. of the late Councillor George Peter Stahl, of Lambeth, by his wife, Elizabeth Ada (26, Herbert Road, Stockwell Road, Brixton, S.W.), dau. of Charles Payne, of Southampton; b. Berkeley Street, Lambeth, S.E., 28 Nov. 1894; educ. Lambeth Parochial Schools; was an assistant at the Times Book Club, Oxford Street, W.; volunteered on the outbreak of war in Aug. 1914, and joined the Surrey Rifles in Sept.; went to France, 15 March, 1915, and was killed in action at Givenchy, 25 May, 1915, whilst trying to rescue a wounded comrade; unm. Buried near Givenchy. Capt. Arthur Hutchence hence wrote: “Your son’s death was a noble one; he was shot whilst trying to bring a wounded comrade into safety under a heavy fire. His loss is felt by all ranks of my company, and we all unite in offering you our sympathy.” He was a good all-round athlete.

STALLARD, WILLIAM HAROLD, A.B., 240992, H.M.S. Aboukir; lost in action in the North Sea, 22 Sept. 1914.

STANDING, GEORGE WILLIAM, Stoker, 1st Class, K. 12613, H.M.S. Pathfinder; lost when that ship was sunk by a mine, about 20 miles off the East Coast, 5 Sept. 1914.

STANDLEY, ERNEST GEORGE, A.B., J. 7789, H.M.S. Good Hope; lost in action off Coronel, on the coast of Chili, 1 Nov. 1914.

STANLEY, FREDERICK HARRY, Rifleman, No. 2851, C Coy., 12th Battn. (The Rangers) The London Regt. (T.F.), eldest s. of Harry Lawrence Stanley, of 111, Woodgrange Road, Forest Gate, by his wife, Elizabeth, dau. of George Cockburn; b. 14, Sebert Road, Forest Gate, Essex, 24 Nov. 1893; educ. Cooper’s School, Bow; was a Clerk; volunteered after the outbreak of war and joined The Rangers, 7 Sept. 1914; went to France, 24 Dec. 1914, and was killed in action near Ypres, 27 April, 1915; unm. Buried, Verlorenhoek.

STANLEY, GEORGE THOMAS, S.B.A., M. 2392, H.M.S. Hawke; lost when that ship was torpedoed in the North Sea, 15 Oct. 1914.

STANLEY, ROBERT GEORGE, Chief Ship’s Cook, 176645, H.M.S. Pathfinder; lost when that ship was sunk by a mine, about 20 miles off the East Coast, 5 Sept. 1914.

STANNARD, GORDON, L.-Corpl., No. 7995, 2nd Battn. Essex Regt., s. of David Stannard, of Kirton, near Ipswich, by his wife, Cecelia; b. Kirton, near Ipswich, 29 Dec. 1886; educ. Trimley Road School; enlisted at Ipswich, 5 July, 1904; went to France, 6 Jan. 1915, and died in Boulogne Hospital, 21 Feb. 1915, of wounds received in action. He m. at All Saints’ Church, Dovercourt, 9 Sept. 1914, Evelyn May (Red House Farm, Trimley St. Martin, near Ipswich), dau. of John (and Ellen) Churchyard, and had a dau.: Victoria Gladys May, b. 19 Dec. 1914, and d. 29 July, 1915.

STANNETT, ROBERT, Bugler, Ch./12775, H.M.S. Hogue; lost in action in the North Sea, 22 Sept. 1914.

STAPLES, JOHN, Leading Stoker, K. 1806, H.M.S. Good Hope; lost in action off Coronel, on the coast of Chili, 1 Nov. 1914.

STARKE, HARRY, Sapper, No. 2385, 1/3rd Coy. Kent Fortress R.E. (T.F.), only child of James Starke, of 9, Kenwood Road, Highgate, N., for 48 years Carman on G.N. Railway, by his wife, Martha, dau. of Andrew (and Mary) Smith; b. Holloway, 27 March, 1871; educ. Blundell Street L.C.C. School, Caledonian Road, Holloway, N.; was a Carpenter by trade; served in the 17th North Middlesex Rifle Volunteer Corps from 19 Feb. 1890 to 5 Jan. 1893, and after the outbreak of war enlisted, 31 May, 1915; went to the Dardanelles in the transport Hythe, and was drowned in a collision off Gallipoli, 28 Oct. 1915. He m. at St. Saviour’s Church, Hornsey Rise, 20 Feb. 1892, Emily (8, Montem Street, Upper Holloway, N.), dau. of William Root, Gardener for over 30 years to Mr. R. Gaskell, North Hill, Highgate, N., and had issue: Frederick James, b. 5 June, 1893; Harry William Alfred, b. 20 Oct. 1894; Emily Martha, b. 6 Nov. 1897; Florence Ivy, b. 17 June, 1899; and Catherine Alice, b. 9 Feb. 1901.

BARBER-STARKEY, WILLIAM HENRY JOSEPH, Capt., 52nd Battery, Royal Field Artillery, eldest s. of William Joseph Starkey Barber-Starkey, Aldenham Park, Bridgenorth, co. Salop, J.P., B.A., by his wife, Margaret Aimeé, 3rd dau. of Sir George Kinloch, of Kinloch, 1st Bart., J.P., D.L.; b. The Hall, Huttons Ambo, co. York, 4 March, 1880; educ. Harrow, and Trinity College, Cambridge; gazetted 2nd Lieut. in the R.F.A. from the Militia, 6 Oct. 1900; promoted Lieut. 24 Oct. 1903, and Capt. 9 May, 1912; served with the Expeditionary Force in France, etc., from 17 Aug. 1914, and died a prisoner of war in a German Field Hospital, 10 Sept. following, from wounds received in action at Le Cateau, 26 Aug. previously; unm. Buried at Le Cateau.

STARR, FRANCIS JAMES, Stoker, 1st Class (R.F.R., B. 2714), S.S. 50, H.M.S. Good Hope; lost in action off Coronel, on the coast of Chili, 1 Nov. 1914.

STARR, THOMAS ADIN, Private, No. 11380, 8th Battn. Welsh Regt., only s. of Thomas Starr, of 2, Bolt Street, Newport, Monmouth; b. 4 Sept. 1887; served with the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force at the Dardanelles from 14 June to 8 Aug. 1915, on which date he was killed in action there; unm.

STATHAM, LOUIS FORSYTH, Seaman, R.N.R., 2028D, H.M.S. Hogue; lost in action in the North Sea, 22 Sept. 1914.

STEADMAN, ALBERT, Private, No. 2289, 1/4th Battn. East Kent Regt. (The Buffs), eldest s. of Frederick Steadman, of 70, Beaver Road, South Ashford, Kent, employee in S. E. & C. Railway Works, Ashford, by his wife, Hannah Jane, dau. of Robert Hatton, of Dover; b. South Ashford aforesaid, 9 Dec. 1893; educ. S. E. & C. Railway Schools there; was a Clerk in the Ashford Branch of the Commercial Union Assurance Co., Ltd.; enlisted 4 Sept. 1914; went to India with his regt. in Dec. which was stationed at Mhow, Central India, till July 1915, when it was sent to Aden. He died of heatstroke at As Sela Sheikh Othman, 25 Sept. 1915, while taking part in the repulse of the Turkish attack on Aden; unm. He was fond of swimming, and represented his company in the regimental swimming contests at Mhow.

STEANE, PERCY HOWARD, Private, No. 2631, 15th Battn. (Prince of Wales’s Own Civil Service Rifles) London Regt. (T.F.), only s. of Frederick Houston Steane, Solicitor’s Managing Clerk; b. Balham, 31 Oct. 1892; educ. Balham Grammar School; was in the service of the Ocean Insurance Company, but on the outbreak of war enlisted Aug. 1914, and was killed at Festubert, 18 May, 1915, while on sentry duty in the trenches. Capt. H. B. Farquhar wrote: “Your son was ever of the most conscientious character, doing his duty thoroughly and cheerfully, was ready to share all hardships and lighten the burdens of others.”

STEARNS, ERIC GORDON, 2nd Lieut., 4th Battn. Royal Fusiliers, yr. s. of Thomas Robert Stearns, of Lansdowne, Woodridings, Hatch End, co. Middlesex, Insurance Official, by his wife, Alice, dau. of James Grant, of Ipswich and Belize; b. Hornsey, 25 March, 1895; educ. St. John’s College, and Lower School, Harrow; was a Clerk in the Sun Insurance Office; joined the Artists’ Rifles (28th London Regt.) in 1912; volunteered for foreign service on the outbreak of war; was given a commission as 2nd Lieut. 6 April, 1915, and posted to the Royal Fusiliers; went to France in Oct. 1914, and died at Abeele of wounds received in action in Belgium, while in charge of a party digging a new trench; unm. His commanding officer, Lieut.-Col. W. F. Sweny, wrote: “I have seen enough of your son to realise what a useful and cool officer he was”; Sergt. F. H. Smith: “Mr. Stearns was almost worshipped by the men under his command; they would have followed him anywhere, for they knew he was a man. He had not an atom of fear in him, and he had always a smile and a cheery word for everybody. I do not think anybody could be more liked and respected than he was”; and Private W. H. Leighton: “The bullet caught him just above the hip and passed upwards. We did everything we possibly could but all in vain, worse luck. He bore it extremely well, as he always did everything, being a very brave officer and one whom the men had the greatest confidence in and would have followed him anywhere.”

STEEL, JOHN, Mechanical Stoker (R.F.R., B. 1557), 276964; b. Dublin, 25 Dec. 18—; served in the European War, and was lost in H.M.S. Goliath at the Dardanelles, 12 May, 1915. He m., 22 Sept. 1900, Fanny (10, Harbour Village, Goodwick, co. Pembroke), dau. of (—), and had two sons: Richard John, b. 28 June, 1901; and Edward James, b. 31 Oct. 1906. He had the medal for saving life.

STEELE, MATTHEW JAMES, L.-Corpl., No. 2476, 1/4th Battn. East Yorkshire Regt. (T.F.), 3rd s. of Thomas Steele, of Hull, Cab Proprietor, by his wife, Maria Elizabeth, dau. of James Outram; b. Hull, 27 April, 1892; educ. Warne Street Council School there; was an Assistant Steward, Hull and Barnsley Railway Head Offices; volunteered on the outbreak of war in Aug. 1914, and joined the 4th East Yorkshires; went to France, 17 April, 1915, and was killed in action east of Ypres, 26 May, 1915. From letters received it appears that one of his comrades had been shot by a sniper, and that Steele, thinking he might still be alive, went to his assistance and was himself shot through the heart. He m. at St. Stephen’s Church, Hull, 1 March, 1913, Kathleen (76, Portland Street, Hull), dau. of John (and Ada) Moorhead, and had a son, Kenneth James, b. 13 June, 1914.

STEELE, WILSON, Stoker, 1st Class, K. 11446 (Ports.), H.M.S. Hogue; lost in action in the North Sea, 22 Sept. 1914.

STEER, GEORGE, Leading Seaman, 190537, H.M.S. Good Hope; lost in action off Coronel, on the coast of Chili, 1 Nov. 1914.

STENNING, LESLIE GERALD, Lieut. and acting Capt., 6th Battn. The Essex Regt. (T.F.), yst. s. of Henry Stenning, of 16, Norfolk Road, Seven King’s, Civil Servant, by his wife, Selina, dau. of Richard Coleman; b. Ilford, co. Essex, 25 Feb. 1894; educ. County High School there; was a Bank Clerk; obtained a 2nd Lieutenancy in the Essex Territorials 1 Oct. 1913, and was promoted Lieut. 16 Oct. 1914; volunteered for Imperial service on the outbreak of war in Aug. 1914; went to the Dardanelles, 24 July, 1915; acted as Capt. from 3 Aug., and died on H.M. Hospital Ship Soudan on the 13th, from wounds received in action there; unm.

STENT, JAMES JOHN, A.B. (R.F.R., B. 1456), 196002, H.M.S. Good Hope; lost in action off Coronel, on the coast of Chili, 1 Nov. 1914.

STEPHENS, GEORGE ERNEST, Stoker, 1st Class, K. 14049, H.M.S. Aboukir; lost in action in the North Sea, 22 Sept. 1914.

STEPHENS, JOHN, A.B. (R.F.R., Ch. B. 9680), 201448, H.M.S. Aboukir; lost in action in the North Sea, 22 Sept. 1914.

STEPHENSON, HAROLD, Private, No. 4020, 10th Battn. (Liverpool Scottish) King’s Liverpool Regt. (T.F.), s. of John James Stephenson, of Shepstone Avenue, Walton, Liverpool, by his wife, Isabella, dau. of James Rigby; b. Liverpool, 7 March, 1893; educ. Venice Street School there; was a Pattern Maker; volunteered after the outbreak of war and joined the Liverpool Scottish, 2 Nov. 1914; went to France end of Jan., and was killed in action at Hooge, 16 June, 1915; unm.

STERLING, ROBERT WILLIAM, Lieut., 3rd, attd. 1st, Battn. Royal Scots Fusiliers, elder s. of John Lockhart Sterling, of 30, Ashton Gardens, Glasgow, by his wife, Clara Frances, dau. of James Lowe, of Lancashire; b. Glasgow, 19 Nov. 1903; educ. Glasgow Academy; Sedbergh School, and Pembroke College, Oxford (scholar), where he took a second in Honour Mods., and had just completed his second year when war was declared in Aug. 1914; volunteered for foreign service and was given a 2nd Lieutenancy in the Royal Scots Fusiliers, 15 Aug. 1914, and promoted Lieut. — March, 1915; took a draft of his regt. to France in the middle of Feb. 1915; was attd. to the 1st Battn., and was killed in action near Ypres, 23 April, 1915; unm. Buried in the Military Cemetery, Dickebusche. His commanding officer wrote: “He was in command of a trench which was of the utmost importance, and had held it most gallantly all day. He was killed about 8 p.m. I cannot tell you how much the Scots Fusiliers mourn his loss. He was quite one of my best.” In 1914 he wrote the Newdigate prize poem on the Burial of Sophocles, which he read at the Encaenia in the June of that year. His younger brother, 2nd Lieut. John Lockhart Sterling, 3rd Battn. R.S.F., attd. 2nd Battn. R.S.F, was killed on 28 Sept. 1915, before Hulluch, France. Two editions of “The Poems of Robert Sterling” were published by Oxford friends in 1916.

STERLING, WILLIAM, Private, No. 9097, West Yorkshire Regt., s. of William Sterling, of Hebburn, Joiner, by his wife, Isabella, dau. of James Turner; b. Hebburn New Town, co. Durham, 13 Feb. 1897; educ. there; enlisted on outbreak of war, 1914, and went with his regt. to France, 9 Jan. 1915. He died of wounds received while in action at Neuve Chapelle, 14 March, 1915, buried in Bailleul Cemetery; unm. A comrade wrote: “We fought hard all day, not having time to eat, and late at night we went about 50 of us to a billet to eat. Shortly afterwards the Germans shelled our place, and mostly all were either killed or wounded, Private W. Sterling being hit in the back with shrapnel and died two hours afterwards in a hospital near by.”

STERN, LEONARD HERMAN, 2nd Lieut., 13th Battn. (Princess Louise’s Kensington Battn.) The London Regt. (T.F.), elder s. of the Rev. Joseph Frederick Stern, Minister of the East London Synagogue, Stepney, since 1887; b. Synagogue House, Stepney, 12 Sept. 1891; educ. at The Preparatory School, Holly Hill, Hampstead, and University College School. Proceeding to Cambridge in 1910 as an Exhibitioner in Classics of Magdalene College, he was elected a Scholar of his College in the following year. He also held the Cambridge Jewish Exhibition. He graduated B.A. in 1913, taking a First-Class in the Honours Classical Tripos in that year. In the following year he gained Second-Class Honours in the History Tripos. He obtained his college football colours in 1912, in which year he played in the College team against Magdalene College, Oxford. He was a member of his school Cadet Corps, and subsequently joined the Cambridge O.T.C., in which he obtained the rank of Sergt. Throughout his stay at the University he took an active part in the affairs of the Cambridge Hebrew Congregation, holding in succession the several Synagogue offices. He was an occasional speaker at the Union Society, and read several papers at college societies. He devoted a considerable part of his vacations to social work in East London, being a manager of the Stepney Jewish Lads’ Club and the Oxford and St. George’s Lads’ Club. He also took a keen interest in the Boy Scouts movement, and became a scout-master of the 7th Stepney Troop B.P. Scouts. On the outbreak of war he co-operated with other Toynbee Hall workers in the organisation of the East London Scouts for public service in the Metropolis. He enlisted in the ranks of the Kensington Battn. of The London Regt. with a number of the lads of his troop, and shortly after was made a sergt. of his company. He obtained his commission as 2nd Lieut. in the same regt. 6 Feb. 1915, and left for France on 7 March, was wounded several times, and was killed in action at the Battle of Fromelles, 9 May, 1915; unm. Col. Fred E. Lewis wrote: “He fell gallantly. He had a dangerous job, but he went through with it, setting a fine example to his men. I grieve to think it cost him his life. We have lost a promising officer.” And Major N. E. Stafford, in notifying his death to the Depot Officer of the regt., said: “He met his death leading his men in the true British way. Although he had only been with us a short time, he had already won the esteem of his brother officers, and gave great promise as an officer. He was put in charge of the bombers, and he showed zeal and initiative in his work. Col. Lewis, who has gone to hospital very ill, desires me to express his great regret at the loss of so promising an officer.”