Private 7514 Edgar STOKES

1st battalion Northamptonshire Regiment(Formerly 7754, East Yorks Regt)

Birmingham City Police ’E’ Division

Died in Belgium 31st October 1914

British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards 1914-1920 via ancestery.com

Police Service History

Edgar joined Birmingham City Police 11th October 1911 as a 24 year old groom having previously served in the Army. He served on the ‘E’ Division with warrant number 7909.

Birmingham City Police records dated 14th June 1915, records with reference to continuing the allowances to the dependants of PC Edgar Stokes killed on active service.

Birmingham City Police Records dated 20th November 1916 inform of Edgar’s death.

A Service was held at The Parish Church, BirminghamSunday 5th December 1920 3.30pm

Remembering those police constables Killed in action, those who died on active service and those who died from illness due to war service

A newspaper entry reporting on the death of Edgar Stokes as a result of a bullet wound through the chest, and his brother Arthur, who died on board HMS Good Hope which sank in action off Chilli.

21 November 1914 - Grantham Journal - Grantham, Lincolnshire, England

War service history

Edgar enlisted, initially into East Yorkshire Regt and gave his occupation as a Groom. His medical which declared him fit for the army was dated 7th July 1904 in Leicester and he was appointed to the East Yorkshire Regiment 11th July 1904. He transferred to 2nd Northants then again transferred to 1st Northants and then transferred to Army Reserve. His Previous service was 13.07.1904 Beverley and 28.11.1907 India and 02.12.1907 Jullundu.

Edgar’s battalion was in billets at Pilckem a week before his death, moving to Ypres on 25th October 1914, Hooge the day after and then taking over positions at Harenthage Chateau Wood on 27th October 1914. The following day the battalion moved to Polygon Wood and shortly after returned to Harenthage Chateau Wood.

At 9am on 30th October 1914, Edgar’s battalion was ordered forward to Bodmin Copse, south of the Menin Road and just due west of Gheluvelt, where defensive positions were dug. The following day the Germans bombarded the entire area and by midday had captured Gheluvelt, leaving them less than 300 yards from the battalion’s positions. Although the Germans did not attack the positions, several casualties were taken to riffle fire.

At 1pm the battalion received orders to retire slightly due to a failing defence on their left flank involving a battalion of the Gordon Highlanders. Edgar’s battalions attempted to use a sunken lane to gain access to Shrewsbury Forrest but they were caught in a heavy enfilading fire and were also harried by the advancing Germans. In this retirement the battalion lost 2 officers and about 100 other ranks, the survivors forming a line along the front of the forest.

A counter attack was then organized involving Edgar’s battalion assisted by battalions from the Royal Sussex Regiment and the Gordon Highlanders. After a few minutes of hand-to-hand fighting, the Germans broke and retired to Bodmin Copse, leaving over 200 dead behind. Following on this success an attempt was made on Bodmin Copse itself but this was defeated by the weight of the Germans machine gun fire.

By nightfall the battalion was entrenched along the northern edge of Shrewsbury Forrest. Killed during the aforementioned, Edgar has no known grave.

As can been seen from the newspaper entry, Edgar died as a result of a bullet wound to the chest.

The records of Medal entitlements for the Northamptonshire Regiment of the British War Medal and the Victory Medal for Pte 7514 Edgar Stokes Killed in Action 31.10.1914

Recorded in soldier’s effects for Pte 7514 Edgar Stokes 1st battalion Northamptonshire regiment

Pte 7514 Edgar Stokes 1st battalion Northamptonshire regiment was also mentioned on the Birmingham Roll of Honour

War Service HistoryBritish Army Pension/service records ancestry.com

Commemorated Panel 43 45Menin Gate, Ypres, Belgium

Photographs courtesy of Su Handford taken 23rd April 2014

Antecedents for Edgar STOKES

Edgar was Born June 1888 in Drayton Leicestershire. His parents were George Thomas Stokes and Elizabeth, nee Wilson Edgar had 4 sisters: Harriett Elizabeth (1878), Emma Louisa (1884), Annie (1886)

and Merlee (1892), and 3 brothers: George, T (1880), William Wilson (1881), Arthur Edward (1889).

The 1891 census shows the family living at 10 Main Road, Drayton. Edgar's father was a baker. The family were still living in Main Road in the 1901 census. Edgar was now working on a farm.

1911 census address of Drayton Nevill Holt Medbourne, Rutland, aged 23 and single son of head of household. Edgar was now a soldier based at Devenport, and his brother Arthur was a sailor, based at Portsmouth. Next of kin Mrs Elizabeth Stokes would probably have been his mother as there is no record of a marriage. Address: The Bakery, Drayton, Uppingham.

Full family tree available ancestry.com owner valwestwood Full family tree available ancestry.com owner aniexma Full family tree available ancestry.com owner nornie100

A detailed life history of Edgar Stokes is available at www.cottinghamsoldiers.org.uk/index