Private A H Stearne 4th East Yorks PoW 1917
The edition of the Norwich Mercury dated Saturday September 15 1917 included this picture along with the caption Pte. A.H Stearne, second son of Mr. and Mrs. H. Stearne, 82, Bury Road, Thetford, prisoner of war in Germany.
Probably
There is a Medal Index Card for a Private 202930 Arthur H Stearne, East Yorkshire Regiment who had previously been Private 1510 Norfolk Regiment. Reference is WO 372/19/27722
discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D5365676
There is also another MiC for Private 202930 A H Stearne East Yorkshire Regiment in the series reserved for Mentions in Despatches, Meritorious Service Medals and Territorial Force Efficiency Medals. The reference at the National Archive is WO 372/24/151636
discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D6463064
The International Red Cross has a file for a Private 202930 Herbert Arthur Stearne, C Company 4th East Yorkshire Regiment, who was captured on the 27th June 1917.
grandeguerre.icrc.org/en/File/Details/2394879/3/2/
In a report received by the IRC on the 14th August 1917 he was recorded as captured at Fontaine, France with a sharpnel wound to his left knee, which was being treated at the Prison Hospital at Verdin. Private 202930 Herbert Stearne was born Thetford, 12th September 1895. His next of kin was his mother, of 82 Bury Street, Thetford, Norfolk.
grandeguerre.icrc.org/en/File/Zoom/E/04/01/C_G1_E_04_01_0...
A second report that had actually been received on the 11th August 1917 records him with a shot wound to his lower leg. Albert Herbert was born Thetford on the 12th September 1895. His next of kin was Herbert Stearne, of 82 Bury Road, Thetford.
grandeguerre.icrc.org/en/File/Zoom/E/04/01/C_G1_E_04_01_0...
A report dated 4th September 1917 has him with a bayonet wound to his knee. He is recorded as Arthur Herbert Stearne, born Thetford.
grandeguerre.icrc.org/en/File/Zoom/E/04/01/C_G1_E_04_01_0...
In a report received 31st October 1917 Herbert Stearne is recorded in camp at Soltau with a wound to his left leg. His un-named next of kin lives at New Terrace, Bury Road,
Thetford.
grandeguerre.icrc.org/en/File/Zoom/E/04/01/C_G1_E_04_01_0...
No match on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website, so the assumption is that he survived the war.
His Service Records do not appear to have survived the incendiary attack during the Blitz on the Warehouse where all the Army service records were stored.
No match on Picture Norfolk, the County image Archive.
12th September 1895 – birth..........................
Sourced from his International Red Cross Papers.
The birth of a Herbert Arthur Stearne was registered with the Civil Authorities in the District of Thetford, Norfolk in the October to December quarter, (Q4), of 1895.
The most likely marriage of his parents was that of a Herbert Fisher Stearne to an Ellen Jane Huggins, which was recorded in the Greenwich District of London in the July to September quarter, (Q3), of 1890.
1901 Census of England and Wales
The most likely match on this census was a 5 year old Herbert A Stearne, born Thetford, who was recorded living at 12. Melford Bridge Road, Thetford. Head of the household was his married mother Ellen J., (aged 28, born Thetford). As well as Herbert her other children living with her are:-
Henry A…………..aged 9……born Thetford
Edith M……………aged 7…..born Thetford
Kate A…………….aged 3……born Thetford
Hilda…………..aged 7 months..born Thetford
There is no obvious match for his father , (using the details from the 1911 census).
1911 Census of England and Wales
The Stearne family were still living at 12, Melford Bridge Road. Parents Herbert, (aged 45, a Maltster, born Thetford) and Ellen, (39), have been married 20 years and have had 8 children, of which 7 were then still alive. All 7 were still living at home.
Henry……aged 19….Painter at an Engineering Works
Edith…….aged 17
Herbert….aged 15….Printer at Printing Works
Kate……..aged 13
Hilda……aged 7……born Thetford
William…aged 5……born Thetford
Lilian……aged 2……born Thetford
Until September 1911 the quarterly index published by the General Registrars Office did not show information about the mothers maiden name. A check of the General Registrars Office Index of Birth for England and Wales 1911 – 1983 shows no likely additional children of Herbert and Ellen.
It may be a co-incidence but a Herbert Stearne, (and his brother Henry) turned out for the Thetford Football team in the 1913/14 season.
m.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1452239281472694&id=100...
The Silver War Badge Roll shows that Arthur originally enlisted on the 23rd November 1911. I suspect this was as a Territorial rather than a Regular Army man. He would also then have only been 16. Of course he could have been a Regular and the appearance for the football team could have been a one-off while he was home on leave.
1914-1915 – Electoral Register……………………..
The 1914 Norfolk Register of Electors records that a Herbert Stearne was entitled to vote in County Council and Parish elections only, and was entitled to vote on the grounds of being a householder of a dwelling house at Bury Road, Thetford. This is shown as being successive – i.e. he had lived at another address which helped him satisfy the qualifying period, and the previous address was Melford Bridge Road. Its slightly puzzling that he was not entitled to parliamentary vote, but then I couldn’t initially find him on the earlier editions of the Register.
www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-68KQ-CK4?i=445&a...
On the 1915 edition he still doesn’t qualify for a Parliamentary vote, along he continues to live at Bury Road.
www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-DRPS-84R?i=446&a...
(This would be Herbert the father I suspect).
27th June 1917 – the day of Arthurs' capture……………..
On the night of June 25-26 the 5th. Battalion Yorkshire Regiment raided and captured a portion of a German trench opposite Fontaine Wood, which the next night was taken over by C. Company (Captain, now Major Morrell). The enemy determined to recover this, and at 7 am. on June 27th. commenced a very heavy shelling of the whole forward area, particularly concentrating on C. Company's position. This bombardment continued with more or less intinsity throughout the day, culminating with a great barrage of fire at about4.30 pm. After this the Germans attacked viciously, and eventually overcame our men, only 15 of whom were left, all the remainder killed or wounded. D. Company (Captain Wilson-Barkworth, M.C.) under similar circumstances, and with about 70 per cent casualties, though pressed back somewhat, succeeded in holding its hastily constructed position. The casualties this day were four officers and about 110 other ranks
www.eriding.net/worldinconflict/cecilslack/post.shtml
After the war was over……………………
Herbert returned at some point, and the Silver War Badge roll records that he was discharged, aged 24, on the 16th April 1919. Badge number B315060 was issued on the 25th October 1919.
It may be a co-incidence but the marriage of a Herbert A Stearne to a Florence M. Taylor was recorded in the Thetford District in the October to December quarter, (Q4), of 1921.
Possible children of the couple, all registered with surname Stearne, mothers maiden name Taylor, in the Thetford District, are:-
Esme P……….Q2 1923
Kenneth H……Q2 1926
The most likely death was that of an Arthur H. Stearne, aged 57, which was recorded in the Luton District of Bedfordshire in the January to March quarter, (Q1), of 1953. There is no obvious probate for that man.
Mildly photoshopped to minimise impact of damage present on the original source.
Private A H Stearne 4th East Yorks PoW 1917
The edition of the Norwich Mercury dated Saturday September 15 1917 included this picture along with the caption Pte. A.H Stearne, second son of Mr. and Mrs. H. Stearne, 82, Bury Road, Thetford, prisoner of war in Germany.
Probably
There is a Medal Index Card for a Private 202930 Arthur H Stearne, East Yorkshire Regiment who had previously been Private 1510 Norfolk Regiment. Reference is WO 372/19/27722
discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D5365676
There is also another MiC for Private 202930 A H Stearne East Yorkshire Regiment in the series reserved for Mentions in Despatches, Meritorious Service Medals and Territorial Force Efficiency Medals. The reference at the National Archive is WO 372/24/151636
discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D6463064
The International Red Cross has a file for a Private 202930 Herbert Arthur Stearne, C Company 4th East Yorkshire Regiment, who was captured on the 27th June 1917.
grandeguerre.icrc.org/en/File/Details/2394879/3/2/
In a report received by the IRC on the 14th August 1917 he was recorded as captured at Fontaine, France with a sharpnel wound to his left knee, which was being treated at the Prison Hospital at Verdin. Private 202930 Herbert Stearne was born Thetford, 12th September 1895. His next of kin was his mother, of 82 Bury Street, Thetford, Norfolk.
grandeguerre.icrc.org/en/File/Zoom/E/04/01/C_G1_E_04_01_0...
A second report that had actually been received on the 11th August 1917 records him with a shot wound to his lower leg. Albert Herbert was born Thetford on the 12th September 1895. His next of kin was Herbert Stearne, of 82 Bury Road, Thetford.
grandeguerre.icrc.org/en/File/Zoom/E/04/01/C_G1_E_04_01_0...
A report dated 4th September 1917 has him with a bayonet wound to his knee. He is recorded as Arthur Herbert Stearne, born Thetford.
grandeguerre.icrc.org/en/File/Zoom/E/04/01/C_G1_E_04_01_0...
In a report received 31st October 1917 Herbert Stearne is recorded in camp at Soltau with a wound to his left leg. His un-named next of kin lives at New Terrace, Bury Road,
Thetford.
grandeguerre.icrc.org/en/File/Zoom/E/04/01/C_G1_E_04_01_0...
No match on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website, so the assumption is that he survived the war.
His Service Records do not appear to have survived the incendiary attack during the Blitz on the Warehouse where all the Army service records were stored.
No match on Picture Norfolk, the County image Archive.
12th September 1895 – birth..........................
Sourced from his International Red Cross Papers.
The birth of a Herbert Arthur Stearne was registered with the Civil Authorities in the District of Thetford, Norfolk in the October to December quarter, (Q4), of 1895.
The most likely marriage of his parents was that of a Herbert Fisher Stearne to an Ellen Jane Huggins, which was recorded in the Greenwich District of London in the July to September quarter, (Q3), of 1890.
1901 Census of England and Wales
The most likely match on this census was a 5 year old Herbert A Stearne, born Thetford, who was recorded living at 12. Melford Bridge Road, Thetford. Head of the household was his married mother Ellen J., (aged 28, born Thetford). As well as Herbert her other children living with her are:-
Henry A…………..aged 9……born Thetford
Edith M……………aged 7…..born Thetford
Kate A…………….aged 3……born Thetford
Hilda…………..aged 7 months..born Thetford
There is no obvious match for his father , (using the details from the 1911 census).
1911 Census of England and Wales
The Stearne family were still living at 12, Melford Bridge Road. Parents Herbert, (aged 45, a Maltster, born Thetford) and Ellen, (39), have been married 20 years and have had 8 children, of which 7 were then still alive. All 7 were still living at home.
Henry……aged 19….Painter at an Engineering Works
Edith…….aged 17
Herbert….aged 15….Printer at Printing Works
Kate……..aged 13
Hilda……aged 7……born Thetford
William…aged 5……born Thetford
Lilian……aged 2……born Thetford
Until September 1911 the quarterly index published by the General Registrars Office did not show information about the mothers maiden name. A check of the General Registrars Office Index of Birth for England and Wales 1911 – 1983 shows no likely additional children of Herbert and Ellen.
It may be a co-incidence but a Herbert Stearne, (and his brother Henry) turned out for the Thetford Football team in the 1913/14 season.
m.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1452239281472694&id=100...
The Silver War Badge Roll shows that Arthur originally enlisted on the 23rd November 1911. I suspect this was as a Territorial rather than a Regular Army man. He would also then have only been 16. Of course he could have been a Regular and the appearance for the football team could have been a one-off while he was home on leave.
1914-1915 – Electoral Register……………………..
The 1914 Norfolk Register of Electors records that a Herbert Stearne was entitled to vote in County Council and Parish elections only, and was entitled to vote on the grounds of being a householder of a dwelling house at Bury Road, Thetford. This is shown as being successive – i.e. he had lived at another address which helped him satisfy the qualifying period, and the previous address was Melford Bridge Road. Its slightly puzzling that he was not entitled to parliamentary vote, but then I couldn’t initially find him on the earlier editions of the Register.
www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-68KQ-CK4?i=445&a...
On the 1915 edition he still doesn’t qualify for a Parliamentary vote, along he continues to live at Bury Road.
www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-DRPS-84R?i=446&a...
(This would be Herbert the father I suspect).
27th June 1917 – the day of Arthurs' capture……………..
On the night of June 25-26 the 5th. Battalion Yorkshire Regiment raided and captured a portion of a German trench opposite Fontaine Wood, which the next night was taken over by C. Company (Captain, now Major Morrell). The enemy determined to recover this, and at 7 am. on June 27th. commenced a very heavy shelling of the whole forward area, particularly concentrating on C. Company's position. This bombardment continued with more or less intinsity throughout the day, culminating with a great barrage of fire at about4.30 pm. After this the Germans attacked viciously, and eventually overcame our men, only 15 of whom were left, all the remainder killed or wounded. D. Company (Captain Wilson-Barkworth, M.C.) under similar circumstances, and with about 70 per cent casualties, though pressed back somewhat, succeeded in holding its hastily constructed position. The casualties this day were four officers and about 110 other ranks
www.eriding.net/worldinconflict/cecilslack/post.shtml
After the war was over……………………
Herbert returned at some point, and the Silver War Badge roll records that he was discharged, aged 24, on the 16th April 1919. Badge number B315060 was issued on the 25th October 1919.
It may be a co-incidence but the marriage of a Herbert A Stearne to a Florence M. Taylor was recorded in the Thetford District in the October to December quarter, (Q4), of 1921.
Possible children of the couple, all registered with surname Stearne, mothers maiden name Taylor, in the Thetford District, are:-
Esme P……….Q2 1923
Kenneth H……Q2 1926
The most likely death was that of an Arthur H. Stearne, aged 57, which was recorded in the Luton District of Bedfordshire in the January to March quarter, (Q1), of 1953. There is no obvious probate for that man.
Mildly photoshopped to minimise impact of damage present on the original source.