Walter Hines Cumberlidge Lance Sergeant Army Ordnance Corps

Walter Hines Cumberlidge Lance Sergeant Army Ordnance Corps. Promoted to the rank of Acting Lance Sergeant and discharged as medically unfit for service in 1917.

Walter Hines Cumberlidge 1891-1969 Acting Lance Sergeant 013375 Army Ordnance Corps

Walter Hines Cumberlidge was born 24 January 1891 in Tunstall, Staffordshire, England. He was the eldest son of Edwin George Cumberlidge and his wife Maria nee Hines.

He was working as a bank clerk since 1907 for The Manchester & Liverpool District Banking Company Ltd based Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire.

On 24 October 1915 at the age of 24 years Walter Hines Cumberlidge joined the Army Ordnance Corps (New Force) as 013375. On enlistment he was described as:

• Height: 5 feet 3 inches
• Chest measurement – Girth when fully expanded 34½ inches, Range of expansion 3½ inches
• Distinctive marks: Scar above Right Eye Brow
• Complexion: Fresh
• Eyes: Brown
• Hair: Brown

He was promoted often during his service and rose to the rank of Acting Lance Sergeant, with pay, until he was discharged as medically unfit for service due to ill health caused by Tubercular Laryngitis on 1 October 1917. He was based at Aldershot, Surrey, England for almost two years. He was assessed as being

“A most reliable & efficient man. Responsible & painstaking, & in all ways fit for position of trust. A very good book keeper or accountant.”

He was awarded a gratuity of £30 and the Silver War Badge when he was discharged.

Walter married Mary Doris Birbeck in 1922 and they had a daughter Elizabeth Cumberlidge born in 1926.

After his war service he was employed in ceramic lithograph manufacturing and as a potter’s merchant.

During WW2 he served as a volunteer A.R.P. Warden and his wife as a volunteer A.R.P. Red Cross. Walter died in 1969 in Staffordshire and his wife Mary Doris Cumberlidge died in 1975.

WW1 Service Record

LIST OF TRANSFER DOCUMENTS

Rank: L/Cpl (A/L.Sgt)

Name: Cumberledge Walter Hines

No: 013375

Corps: Army Ordnance Corps

Discharged

Ministry of Pensions

The Royal Hospital

Chelsea SW8

SIR, I am directed by the Minister of Pensions to inform you of the undermentioned decision in the case of a man whose discharge documents have been recently received with the view to having the claim to pension considered.

I have the honour to be, Sir,

Your obedient servant,

MATTHEW NATHAN, Secretary

To the Officer Commanding

Army Ordnance Corps Regiment

Depot, Aldershot

Rank and Regimental Number: A/L/Cpl 0133575

Name: Cumberlidge, Walter Hines

Regiment or Corps: Army Ordnance Corps

Date of discharge: 1 October 1917

Address on discharge: Berwyn Victoria Tunstall

Weekly Pension Grat. Art. 7.R.W.17 £30

Disability: Tubercular Laryngitis

SHORT SERVICE

(For the Duration of the War)

ATTESTATION OF

No: 013375 Name: Walter Hines Cumberledge Corps: A.O.C.

What is your name:        Walter Hines Cumberledge

Address:                           Berwyn Victoria Rd Tunstall Staffs

British Subject:                Yes

Age:                                  24 years

Trade or Calling:             Bank Clerk

Married:                          No

Ever served before:        No

I, Walter Hines Cumberledge do solemnly declare that the above answers made by me to the above questions are true, and that I am willing to fulfil the engagements made.

OATH TO BE TAKEN BY RECRUIT ON ATTESTATION

I, Walter Hines Cumberledge swear by Almighty God, that I will be faithful and bear true Allegiance to His Majesty King George the Fifth, His Heirs and Successors, and that I will, as in duty bound, honestly and faithfully defend His Majesty, His Heirs and Successors, in Person, Crown, and dignity against all enemies, and will observe and obey all orders of His Majesty, His Heirs and Successors, and of the Generals and Officers set over me. So help me God.

27 Oct 1915

Approved 1 Nov 1915, Woolwich

DESCRIPTIVE REPORT ON ENLISTMENT

Name: Walter Hines Cumberlidge

Age: 24 years / months

Height: 5 feet 3 3/8 inches

Chest measurement – Girth when fully expanded 34½ inches, Range of expansion 3½ inches

Distinctive marks: Scar above Right Eye Brow

Complexion: Fresh

Eyes: Brown

Hair: Brown

INFORMATION SUPPLIED BY RECRUIT

Name and Address of next of kin: Edwin George Cumberlidge, Berwyn Victoria Rd, Tunstall, Staffs

Relationship: Father

Particulars as to Marriage

/

Particulars as to Children

/

STATEMENT OF THE SERVICES

Service towards limited engagement reckons from 27 Oct 1915

Joined at Woolwich on 2 Nov 1915

Corps: AOC; Regt or Depot: NF; Promotions, Reductions, Casualties: Attested; Army Rank: Pte; Dates: 27 Oct 1915

Corps: AOC; Regt or Depot:; Promotions, Reductions, Casualties: Appointed; Army Rank: Lance Corporal (unpaid); Dates: 26 Jul 1916

Corps: AOC; Regt or Depot:; Promotions, Reductions, Casualties: Appointed; Army Rank: Lance Corporal (with pay); Dates: 31 Oct 1916

Corps: AOC; Regt or Depot:; Promotions, Reductions, Casualties: Promoted; Army Rank: Lance Corporal; Dates: 14 May 1917

Corps: AOC; Regt or Depot:; Promotions, Reductions, Casualties: Appointed; Army Rank: Acting Corporal (with pay); Dates: 15 Aug 1917

Corps: AOC; Regt or Depot:; Promotions, Reductions, Casualties: Appointed; Army Rank: Lance Sergeant (with pay); Dates: 31 Aug 1917

Discharged no longer physically fit for War Service (Para 392 (XVI) K.R.) Acting Lance Sergeant 1 Oct 1917

Total Service towards Engagement to 1 Oct 1917 (date of discharge) 1 years 340 days

Total Service towards Pension to 1 Oct 1917 (date of discharge) 1 years 340 days

MILITARY HISTORY SHEET

Home: from 27 Oct 1915 to 1 Oct 1917 1 years 340 days

Campaigns: Home 27 Oct 1915 to 1 Oct 1917

Character: Very good

Disability: Tubercular Laryngitis

Address: Berwyn Victoria Rd Tunstall Staffs

Medals, decorations and annuities: Granted Gratuity of Thirty Pounds (£30)

“Berwyn”

Victoria Road

Tunstall

Stoke on Trent

12 Sep 1917

Sir,

              I was discharged from the A.O.C. on Monday owing to ill health. I understand I have to apply to you for a discharged badge. I shall be very pleased to receive the badge at your convenience.

I was stationed in Aldershot at the time of my discharge.

Yours truly,

W. H. Cumberlidge

Late A/L/Sgt [Acting Lance Sergeant]

REGISTERED POST

No. 013375

A.O.C. Record Office,

Red Barracks,

Frances Street,

S.E.18 London

Herewith A.F’s B.2067, B.2079, B.2067a, W.3464 and D.401. Kindly acknowledge receipt hereon. Any subsequent change in your address should be at once notified to this office.

Captain. For Officer i/c A.O. Corps Records

Act. L. Sgt. WH Cumberlidge

“Berwyn”

Victoria Road

Tunstall

Staffs

RECEIPT

Victoria Road

Tunstall, Stoke on Trent

12 Sep 1917

Received the above mentioned documents

W. H. Cumberlidge

Officer i/c A.O.C. Records

Red Barracks,

Frances Street,

London, S.E.18.

013375

1 Oct 1917

The accompanying War Badge and Certificate No. 128199 are forwarded herewith to Mr Walter Hines Cumberlidge in respect of his service as a Soldier in the Army Ordnance Corps. The Badge will be worn on the right breast or on the right lapel of the jacket, but not in Naval or Military uniform.

Duplicates of the Badge and Certificate cannot be issued under any circumstances.

RECEIVED – WAR BADGE AND CERTIFICATE

SIGNATURE W.H. Cumberlidge

Date: 3 Oct 1917

Address: Berwyn Victoria Road Tunstall Staffs

The Officer i/c A.O.C. records

Red Barracks, Frances Street, S.E.18., London

With reference to A.C.I. No. 2015 of 1916, I beg to inform you that the undermentioned N.C.O’s and men to-day appeared before the Special Invaliding Board, Aldershot Command, in accordance with instructions contained in War Office letter No. 19/Gen. No./5851 (D.R. 2) dated 30 June 1917, and were marked for discharge. Their characters are assessed as stated opposite their names:-

01335. L/Cpl (a/L/Sergt.) Cumberlidge W. Military Character:- Very Good

Assessment under Para. 418 King’s Regulations:-

A most reliable & efficient man. Responsible & painstaking, & in all ways fit for position of trust. A very good book keeper or accountant

Aldershot 10 Sep 1917 Lieut. Colonel for Chief Ordnance Officer

NOTIFICATION that a Soldier is about to be discharged as no longer physically fit for War Service (para 392, xvi. King’s Regulations)

Soldier’s Name and Initials: Cumberlidge WH

Regtl. No and Rank: 013375 – Acting/Lance Sergeant (paid)

Regt. Or Corps: Army Ordnance Corps

Date for which Discharge has been confirmed: 1 Oct 1917

Soldier’s Address on Discharge: Berwyn Victoria Rd Tunstall Staffs

Regimental Paymaster: DC&R

COO Aldershot

The above particulars are notified to you in accordance with A.C.I. 1912 of 1916

Station: Woolwich Date: 11 Sep 1917

Information to be obtained from a Soldier (Regular or Territorial) whom it is proposed to discharge or to transfer to the Reserve Section W or W(T) in substitution for a man fit for General Service.

No. 013375                                                                                                       Rank: Act Lance/Sergeant

Name (surname first) Cumberlidge Walter Hines

Regiment Army Ordnance Corps

1. State what special qualifications you have for employment in civil life: Bank Cashier
2. State the name and address of your last, or any other employer before enlistment, etc., the nature of employment and how long you were employed: The Manchester & Liverpool District Banking Co Ltd, Stoke on Trent, 10 years
3. What is the nature and locality of the employment you desire: Bank Cashier, Stoke on Trent
4. What is the name of your Approved Society: Bankers Health Insurance
5. Have you been employed whilst with the Colours? If so, in what capacity: Yes, Company Sergeant Major

Date: 6^th Sept 1917 Signature: W H Cumberlidge

Army Form W. 3484B

Notification by President of Medical Board of Approval of a Soldier’s Discharge under Paragraph 392 (xvi.) King’s Regulations

To the Officer i/c Records: Woolwich

The Soldier named below has appeared before an Army Medical Board at this station, and his discharge from the Service as “no longer physically fit for War Service” has this day been approved. (The discharge will be confirmed for a date 21 days after the date of this notification, see A.C.I. 1912 of 1916)

Soldier’s Name: Cumberlidge, Christian names: Walter Hines

Regt. No. and Rank: 013375 Acting L/Sgt Regt. Or Corps: AOC

His address on discharge will be Berwyn Victoria Rd Tunstall

The Soldier states that Dependants allowance is being issued in respect of him.

Army Ford D. 400A and Army Form B 179 for the above-named Soldier are forwarded herewith.

Station: Aldershot

Date: 10 Sep 1917

President of Board

No. 013375 Name: Cumberlidge W Corps: AOC (NF) Date of enlistment: 27 Oct 1915

Certified no entry [on Military Conduct Sheet]

ARMY ORDNANCE CORPS (NEW FORCE)

0113375 L/Cpl (a/L/Sgt) Cumberlidge W.H.

CORPS PAY

5^th Rate:             15 Dec 1915

4^th Rate:             31 Oct 1916

Silver War Badge

ROLL OF INDIVIDUALS entitled to the “WAR BADGE”

20 Sep 1917 No. A.O.C. 187 WAR OFFICE

Regtl No.	Rank	Name	Unit	No. of Badge	Enlistment	Discharge	Cause of Discharge A.O.II dated 10 Aug 1917	Age	Whether served Overseas
013375	Acting Lance Sergeant	Cumberlidge, Walter Hines	Army Ordnance Corps	128,199	27 Oct 1915	1 Oct 1917	2(ii)b 392 xvi Sickness	26	No

Woolwich, 19 September 1917

WW1 Medal Index Card