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Edwin Walter Cumberbatch
Private 59 1st Service Battalion West Indies Regiment
Edwin Walter Cumberbatch was the grandson of S Parks who lived at 55 Hadfield Street, Demerara, British Guiana. He was a compositor by trade living in Demerara, British Guiana. Aged 21 he enlisted in the British West Indies Regiment and became Private 59 on 4th September 1915 in British Guiana. He enlisted for the duration of the first world war. He began his voyage to Seaford, Sussex, England from British Guiana on the 16th September and the voyage took 18 days. He remained in England until 20th January 1916.
He departed Devonport, England on 21st January 1916 and arrived at Alexandria, Egypt on 5th February 1916. Whilst on drill in Alexandria, Egypt, Edwin Walter Cumberbatch broke his right leg in multiple places above his ankle on 24th March 1916. His foot went down a hole. Edwin was invalided to the Colonies aboard the Hospital Ship Magdalena. He departed Alexandria, Egypt on 24 August 1916. Edwin was discharged from military service as being physically unfit for duty as a result of his disability on 19th September 1916 at Jamaica. His military character was reported as having been 'very good.' He had served for 1 year and 16 days in the army.
Edwin's medical condition was reviewed in George Town, British Guiana on 8th October 1917. He weighed 130lbs. His medical report states:
'Caught his foot in a hole whilst on drill and he states both bones (tibia & fibula) were fractured above ankle also states he suffered from Rheumatism in right shoulder both in Egypt and at Camp in Sussex (Seaford). Still complains of pain in leg (no medical history sheet of as late)'.
His fibular had thickened at the lower end of his ankle. The doctor recommended that he was permanently unfit for duty.
The Right Worshipful Brother Edwin Walter Cumberbatch was District Grand Master, District Grand Lodge of Guyana (G. L. Scotland) for some time.
Medal Index Card
Name. |
Corps. |
Rank. |
Regtl No. |
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CUMBERBATCH |
British West Indies Regiment |
Private |
59 |
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Edwin |
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Medal. |
Roll. |
Page. |
Remarks. |
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VICTORY |
Col/112B5 |
163 |
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BRITISH |
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15 STAR |
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Theatre of War first served in |
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Date of entry therein |
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K1380
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Correspondence |
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Address |
Medal Rolls
British West Indies Regiment
ROLL of INDIVIDUALS entitled to the Victory Medal and British War Medal under Army Orders 301 and 266 of 1919
Regimental No. |
Rank |
Name |
Unit |
Remarks |
59 |
Private |
Cumberbatch, Edwin W |
1/British West Indies Regiment |
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Jamaica, 1 Feb 1922
ROLL of Ex-soldiers of the British West Indies Regiment who were Discharged or Demobilised, (or the next of Kin who reside) in British Guiana
Medal Roll No. |
Regimental No. |
Rank |
Name |
Address |
Medals |
163B |
59 |
Private |
Cumberbatch, Edwin W |
Demerara, British Guiana |
British War & Victory |
164B |
1369 |
Private |
Cumberbatch, Joseph |
George Town |
British War & Victory |
Jamaica, 31 Jul 1922
Edwin Walter Cumberbatch in Who's Who in British Guiana 1945-1948
CUMBERBATCH, EDWIN WALTER
Assistant Superintendent of Prisons
Resides 248 South Road, Georgetown
Born 16th April 1894 at Georgetown to Alfred A Cumberbatch, Bookmaker, and his wife Margaret Matilda, nee Williams
Educated at Wortmanville Scots School and privately.
Was a compositor at Argosy Co. Ltd
1917 – Assistant Prison Warder
1925 – Second Class Warder
1934 – First Class Warder
1935 Clerk and Storekeeper. At New Amsterdam Prison
1939 – Acting Chief Prison Officer, New Amsterdam Prison.
1940 – Chief Prison Officer, New Amsterdam Prison
1944 – Present Appointment
Served with No. 2 Company, British Guiana Militia during mobilization 1914 and subsequently with 1st Battalion, British West Indies Regiment in Egypt.
Holds General Service and Victory Medals of 1914-18 War
Married 7th December 1918 Catherine Eloise Arthur.
Has five sons.
Recreation – Tennis and swimming
Club – Prison Officers' Recreation Club
Hobbies – Reading and Gardening
Source: Who is Who in British Guiana – 1945 – 1948 p.115
By Erwin Brewster Google Books