Name
Cedric Gordon Stockbridge
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
18/05/1915
18
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
2617
Hertfordshire Regiment
"H" Coy.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 (Mons) Star, British War and Victory Medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
LE TOURET MEMORIAL
Panel 47.
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Hatfield Town Memorial, Hertfordshire Regimental Memorial, All Saints Church, Hertford, Not on the Stapleford memorials, Not on the Walkern memorials
Pre War
Cedric was the son of Thomas and Mary Stockbridge, of Victoria House, Walkern, Stevenage, Herts., born in the second quarter of 1898, at Hertford.
The 1901 census records Cedric, aged 2, and living with his parents and 4 siblings and a boarder in Bexley, Kent. His father was a mineral water worker (manager). The in 1911 Cedric, age 12 and at school, is living with living with his family and a boarder in Eastbourne, Kent. ather still working as a mineral water worker.
By the time Cedric joined up in 1914, he is listed as living at Brewery Cottages Hatfield. His British Army WWI Service Record is badly damaged) and suggest that Cedric attested in the 1st Herts. on 1st September 1914 in Hertford, however his service number suggest that he joined the Herts Territorials before 1st January, 1914 and the form is believed to be the record of his volunteering for overseas service – Territorials only being required to serve in the UK. He gave his age as 19 yrs 4 mths, (although according to census records he would only be 16) he was 5ft 5 inches tall with a fresh complexion, grey eyes and dark brown hair and was working as a mineral water maker. The address for his parents, Thomas and Mary was given as High St. Walkern Stevenage, although there is an address for a T. Stockbridge, Viaduct villas, Park Street, Hatfield, by the side of this is written, Rohilla, High St. Walkern.
Officially recorded as born in Stapleford, Herts and was living in Stevenage, Herts when he enlisted in Hertford.
Wartime Service
Cedric went overseas and landed in France on 6th November 1914.
As mentioned above his service records is damaged and in some of the remaining pages are difficult to read. He appears to have admitted to a Casualty Clearing Station on 14th February 1916, possibly wounded but the writing is unclear. From there he was admitted to a Stationary Hospital the following day and discharged 27th February (probably).
He was at the Infantry Base Depot at Le Havre on 4th March 1915, but the reason is unclear, perhaps after a period of recuperation or leave. He was then transferred to Rouen, on the 5th and joined his Battalion in the Field 13th March, 1915.
The Bishops Hatfield Parish Magazine of October 1914, in the second list of men mobilised from Hatfield, recorded: “Stockbridge, Gordon, Brewery Cottages, 1st Herts., Territorials.” And then in July 1915: “Although Mr and Mrs Stockbridge no longer live here, yet mention of their gallant sons, Alan and Gordon, who enlisted at Hatfield, cannot be omitted. Major Page Crofts has personally written testifying to their bravery. All must feel greatly for their double loss.”
Awarded the 1914 Star, British War Medal & Victory Medal.
Additional Information
He was the brother of Alan Abel Stockbridge who also died on the same day.
His death plaque was sent to his father in August 1919 at Viaduct Cottages, Park Road, Hatfield, but this appears to have been amended to Rohill, High Street, Walkern, Stevenage.
Acknowledgments
Jonty Wild, Christine & Derek Martindale, Hatfield Local History Society (www.hatfieldhistory.uk)
