Albert Cumberlidge 1876-1937

Sergeant 18670 13th (Forest of Dean) Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment

Albert Cumberlidge was born in 1876 in Leek, Staffordshire. He was the son of William Cumberlidge and his wife Elizabeth Jane nee Atkins. Albert was the eldest son of William and Elizabeth.

Albert married Gertrude Ryland on 15 October 1899 in St Mary's Church, Aston Brook, Warwickshire, England. Together they had five children:

• Ivy Cumberlidge born 29 December 1899 in Aston Manor, Aston, Birmingham
• Albert Cumberlidge born 4 June 1902 in Aston Manor, Aston, Birmingham
• Brueiton Cumberlidge born 1904 and died 1909 in Aston Manor, Aston, Birmingham
• Nora Cumberlidge born 5 February 1911 in Aston Manor, Aston, Birmingham
• Marjorie E Cumberlidge born 15 May 1920 in Aston Manor, Aston, Birmingham

In 1901 he was making tyres and by 1911 he was a conductor on the Trams working for the City of Birmingham Tram Corporation. He enlisted in the army on 24 February 1915. He recorded his age as being five years younger than he was. He had previously served in the 8th Royal Warwickshire Territorials for 85 days. He was described as:

• Birthplace: leek, County: Staffordshire
• Examined: 24 February 1915 at Birmingham
• Age: 33 years 10 moths 23 days
• Height: 5 feet 2 inches
• Weight: 120 lbs
• Chest: 34 inches, range: 2 inches
• Physical Development: Good
• Vaccination marks: 2 left arm
• When Vaccinated: Childhood
• Vision R.E.-V=08, L.E.-V=06
• Distinctive marks: Mole right cheek, scar lower lip, another mark lower chest

He joined his unit the same day. His record of service in the army included:

• Gloucestershire Regiment, 13th Battalion, Expeditionary Force, France, Lance Corporal 3 March 1916
• Gloucestershire Regiment, 13th Battalion, Appointed Acting Corporal, 29 June 1916
• Gloucestershire Regiment, 13th Battalion, Promoted Sergeant, 7 October 1916
• In the Field, Gun Shot Wound Left hand, Sergeant, 8 April 1917
• Depot, Posted, Sergeant 5 June 1917
• Home from 24 February 1915 to 2 March 1916 & 5 June 1917 to 3 Dec 1917
• Expeditionary Force France from 3 March 1916 to 4 June 1917, 1 year 94 days

He was admitted to hospital during 1917 suffering with swelling and pain to his right stomach. This was later diagnoses as latent syphilis. His service record includes a revealing history of his family's medical record as of 18 August 1917:

• Previous Illnesses: Usual diseases, childhood, Typhoid Fever when 10 years old
• Father 60 living, abdominal tumur
• Mother died 57 Cardiac failure
• 2 Brothers living
• 4 Sisters living, one delicate heart disease
• 3 Sisters dead. Cause unknown

His gun shot wound to his left hand resulted in him being discharged as No Longer Physically Fit for War Service Para 392 XVI KR Sergeant on 3 December 1917. He returned home to 11 Catherine Street on being discharged.

Albert died in 1937 and his wife died in 1960.

WW1 Service Record

SHORT SERVICE

(For the Duration of the War)

ATTESTATION OF

No. 18670                        Name: Cumberlidge Albert                       Corps: 13^th Gloucestershire Regiment

Name: Cumberlidge Albert

Address: 11 Catherine Street, Aston, Birmingham

British Subject: Yes

Age: 33 Years, 10 Months, 23 Days

Trade: Tram Conductor

Married: Yes

Previous Service: 8^th Royal Warwickshire Territorials 85 Days service

Willing to be vaccinated: Yes

Willing to be enlisted for General Service: Yes

Date: 24^th February 1915

 

Name: Cumberlidge Albert

Age: 33 years 10 months 23 Days

Height: 5 feet 2 inches

Chest measurement: 34 inches, range of expansion 2 inches

Distinctive marks: Mole right cheek, scar lower lip, another mark lower chest

 

INFORMATION SUPPLIED BY RECRUIT

Name and Address of next of kin: Gertrude Cumberlidge, 11 Catherine St, Aston, Birmingham. Relationship: Wife

Particulars as to Marriage

1. Christian and Surname of Woman, (b) Place and date of marriage, (s) Present address, (d) Initials of Officer verifying entry

1. Gertrude Ryland, Spinster
2. Birmingham October 15, 1899 St Mary’s Church, Aston Brook
3. 11 Catherine Street, Aston, Birmingham

Particulars as to Children

Christian Names, Date and Place of Birth:

• Ivy, December 29 1899, Birmingham (Aston Manor)
• Albert, June 4 1902, Birmingham (Aston Manor)
• Nora, February 5 1911, Birmingham (Aston Manor)

STATEMENT OF THE SERVICES

Service towards limited engagement reckons from 24 February 1915

Joined at Birmingham on 24 February 1915

13^th Gloucestershire Dgs Attested Private 24 February 1915

Posted 27 February 1915

13^th Appointed Unpaid Lance Corporal 27 February 27 February 1915

Appointed Lance Corporal 12 March 1915

Appointed Corporal 17 April 1915

… Private 23 June 1915

 

Home from 24 February 1915 to 2 March 1916, 1 Year 7 Days

Expeditionary Force France from 3 March 1916 to 4 June 1917, 1 Year 94 Days

Home from 5 June 1917 to 3 Dec 1917 182 Days

2 Years 283 Days

 

Medals, decorations and annuities: British War Medal & Victory Medal

STATEMENT OF THE SERVICES of No. 18670 Name: Cumberlidge Albert

Age on Enlistment: 33 years 10 months 23 days

Enlisted for Duration of War

Service towards limited engagement reckons from 24 February 1915

Joined at Birmingham on 24 February 1915

Gloucestershire Regiment, 13^th Battalion, Expeditionary Force, France, Lance Corporal 3 March 1916

Gloucestershire Regiment, 13^th Battalion, Appointed Acting Corporal, 29 June 1916

Gloucestershire Regiment, 13^th Battalion, Promoted Sergeant, 7 October 1916

Depot, Posted, Sergeant 5 June 1917

In the Field, Gun Shot Wound Left hand, Sergeant, 8 April 1917

 

Home from 24 February 1915 to 2 March 1916 & 5 June 1917 to 3 Dec 1917

Expeditionary Force France from 3 March 1916 to 4 June 1917, 1 year 94 days

 

Depot Discharged No Longer Physically Fit for War Service Para 392 XVI KR Sergeant 3 Dec 1917

ACCOUNT OF HOSPITAL STOPPAGES

Rank: Sergeant

Regtl. No. 16870

Names: Cumberlidge A

Disease: Venereal

Date of Admission: 22 October 1917

Period: 28 October 1917 to 8 November 1917, 17 days in hospital

MEDICAL CASE SHEET

Regimental No. 16870

Rank: Sergeant

Surname: Cumberlidge

Christina Name: A

Year: 1917

Unit: 13 Gloucestershire

Age: 38

Service 2½ years

Station and Date: Quex Park Hospital, Birchington

5 June 1917 Admitted Temperature normal. Stomach very tympanic & distended & painful over R side? Jona:? Milk Diet

8 June 1917 The T[emperature] went up 101 4 in the evening. Abdomen still very swollen

12 June 1917 T[emperature] has been up at night. No perb symptoms

19 June 1917 T[emperature] has been normal for last week. Abdominal swelling subsiding

26 June 1917 T[emperature] still normal. Has been  Alte.? Up a little in evening feels giddy when up

1 July 1917 Had a little walk Abdomen appears normal

__ July 1917 Has been gradually improving for last fortnight. Vomits up food occasionally & is still much distended

29 Jul 1917 Abdomen still distended & painful to R of Navel

3 Aug 1917  Major McLaughlin advises temporary transfer to Shorn Cliff for X rays

___ 1917 X Ray shows masting? abnormal Gastric analysis allected ___ doses Pal Jodide? Advised

Goudurst, 22 Kent, 8 Oct 1917 Has been treated Pol Jod & Gent: No improvement – Abdomen enlarged vomiting & pain

RECORD OFFICE, WARWICK 352288

I am directed to forward the accompanying British War Medal & Victory Medal which has been awarded to you in respect of your services with the Gloucestershire Regiment. Please complete and return this card. No stamp is required.

I hereby acknowledge the receipt of the British War Medal & Victory Medal Regtl. No. 18670 Rank: Sergeant Signature: A Cumberlidge

Unit: Gloucestershire Regiment

Date: December 24 1921

Gloucestershire Regiment

The accompanying War Badge and Certificate No. 278009 are forwarded herewith to 18670 Sgt. A Cumberlidge in respect of your service as a soldier of His Majesty’s Forces.

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.

Receipt of the same should be acknowledged hereon.

Received: War Badge & Certificate

Signature: A Cumberlidge

Date: 5 Dec 1917

Address: 11 Catherine St, Aston Manor, Birmingham

 

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

Soldier’s surname: Cumberlidge

Christian names: Albert

No. and Rank: Sergeant 18670

Regiment of Corps: 13 Gloucestershire

Address on discharge will be 11 Catherine Street, Aston, Birmingham

The Soldier states that separation allowance _ [is?] being issued is respect of him.

12 Nov 1917

 

The accompanying King’s Certificate, on his discharge (no. 6529), is forwarded herewith to Mr A. Cumberlidge in respect of his service as No. 18670 Rank: Sergeant A Cumberlidge Corps: Gloucestershire Regiment

…same should be acknowledged hereon.

…tificate with thanks.

 

Medical Officer i/c Quex Park Aux Military Hospital Birchington Kent

In accordance with Army Council Instruction No.549 dated 10^th March, 1916., I beg to forward herewith Medical History Sheets of the undermentioned, who was admitted to the above hospital on the 5 June 1917 Gloucestershire Regiment

No. 18670 Sergeant Cumberlidge A

 

No. Rank and Name: 18670 Sgt Cumberlidge Corps 13^th Gloucestershire

Disease PUO [Pyrexia of Unknown Origin]

Hospital Shornecliffe

Please carry out an examination of the accompanying specimen of Urine with special regard to Routine

_ Aug 1917

Laboratory Report

Color: Amber

Reaction: Acid

S.G. 1027

Sugar: negative

Albumin: Negative

 

No. Rank and Name: 18670 Sgt Cumberlidge Corps 13^th Gloucestershire

Disease PUO [Pyrexia of Unknown Origin]

Hospital SMH, Ward: 01

Please carry out an examination of the accompanying specimen of [blank] with special regard to Wassermann [The Wassermann test or Wassermann reaction (WR) is an antibody test for syphilis, named after the bacteriologist August Paul von Wassermann]

_ Aug 1917

Laboratory Report

POSITIVE +++

 

No. Rank and Name: 18670 Sgt Cumberlidge Corps 13^th Gloucestershire

Disease PUO [Pyrexia of Unknown Origin]

Hospital Shorncliffe, Ward B11

Please carry out an examination of the accompanying specimen of Stomach Contents with special regard to Gastric Ulcer

20 Aug 1917

Laboratory Report

Mucus present

Free Hcl neg.

Total Acidity – .0365%

Lactic Acid – absent

Occult Blood – negative

 

MEDICAL CASE SHEET

Regimental No. 18670

Rank: Sgt

Surname: Cumberlidge

Christian Name: Albert

Unit: 13 Gloucestershire

Age: 38

Service: 3 years 16/12

Year: 1917 August 18

Station and Date:

Shorncliffe Mil. Hospital: Family History

• Father 60 living, abdominal tumur
• Mother died 57 Cardiac failure
• 2 Brothers living
• 4 Sisters living, one delicate heart disease
• 3 Sisters dead. Cause unknown

Previous Illnesses: Usual diseases, childhood, Typhoid Fever when 10 years old

Present Illness: Was perfectly well until Christmas 1916 then complained of shortness of breath. Slight cough with it. Food regurgitation. Saur. Not constipated, Continued on light duty at headquarters. In Feb 1917 vomiting continued. Sometimes no vomiting 3 days. Same Pain Rt Side. Noticed distention abdomen all this time was in France then about May 27. Splitting headache. Legs became useless. Warred fall. Had Gonorrhoea 20 ys ago Did not have venereal sore. May 28 Great distension navel protruding. No vomiting for two weeks. Sent here for X Ray. Patient well nourished, ___ natural, Heart natural

 

Quex Park Hospital Birchington from 5 June 1917 to 17 Aug 1917 PUO [Pyrexia of Unknown Origin] 73 days

Shorncliffe Military Hospital from 17 Aug 1917 to 7 Oct 1917 PUO [Pyrexia of Unknown Origin] 21 days

Lidwells Auxiliary Military Hospital Goudhurst from 7 Sep 1917 to 9 Oct 1917 PUO [Pyrexia of Unknown Origin] 32 days

Shorncliffe Military Hospital from 9 Oct 1917 Wassermann +++

Military Hospital Shorncliffe from 21 Oct 1917 to 22 Oct 1917 N.Y.D. [Not Yet Diagnosed]

Canadian Hospital Etchinghill, Lyminge from 22 Oct 1917 to 8 Nov 1917 Latent Syphilis 17 days

 

MEDICAL HISTORY of Surname: Cumberlidge Christian Name: Albert

Birthplace: leek, County: Staffordshire

Examined: 24 February 1915 at Birmingham

Age: 33 years 10 moths 23 days

Height: 5 feet 2 inches

Weight: 120 lbs

Chest: 34 inches, range: 2 inches

Physical Development: Good

Vaccination marks: 2 left arm

When Vaccinated: Childhood

Vision R.E.-V=08, L.E.-V=06

 

Regiment on Enlistment: 13^th (Forest of Dean) Battalion Gloucester Regiment

 

12 May 1915 Vaccination Successful

1 Sep 1915 1^st Inoculation

19 Sep 1915 Done Recently

17 Sep 1915 Dental Treatment Cost 9/6

 

Information to be obtained from a Soldier whom is proposed to discharge…

No. 18670 Rank: Sergeant

Name: Cumberlidge, Albert

Regiment: 13 Gloucestershire Regiment

Name and address of last employer: City of Birmingham, Tram Co.

What is the nature and locality of the employment you desire: Light work in Birmingham

What is the name of your Approved Society: Tramway & Vehicle Works 

Medal Roll

GLOUCESTERSHIRE REGIMENT OR CORPS

B.1216

ROLL of INDIVIDUALS entitled to the Victory Medal and British War Medal granted under Army Orders 266 & 301 of 1919. 

Regtl. No.	Rank	Name	Record of disposal of decorations	Remarks
18670	Sergeant	CUMBERLIDGE, Albert	13th Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment 18670, Sergeant

WARWICK, 7 Sep 1920

Silver War Badge

ROLL OF INDIVIDUALS entitled to the “WAR BADGE”

22 Nov 1917 L/185/1 WAR OFFICE

Regtl No.	Rank	Name	Unit	No. of Badge	Enlistment	Discharge	Cause of Discharge	Whether served Overseas
18670	Sergeant	Cumberlidge, Albert	Gloucestershire Regiment	278,009	24 Feb 1915	3 Dec 1917	Wounds, para 392 (xvi) KR Par. 2 (b) A.O. 265 of 1917 Age 36	Yes

Warwick, Date: 21st November, 1917.

Medal Index Card