Ernest Cumberlidge 1888-1920

Gunner 92334 Royal Field Artillery

Ernest Cumberlidge was born 26 January 1888 in Chell, Wolstanton, Staffordshire, England. He was the son of William Cumberlidge and his wife Harriett nee Lees.

By 1901, Ernest was a Kiln Lad working at a potter. By 1911 he was a Kilnman.

Ernest married may Cooke on 4 August 1907 at Tunstall in Staffordshire, and they had three children together:

• Ernest Cumberlidge born 1908
• Doris may Cumberlidge born 1913
• Henry Cumberlidge born 1915

Ernest was almost 30 when he joined the army on 2 December 1915. He was assigned to the army reserve as Private 2145. On enlistment he was described as:

• Name: Ernest Cumberlidge
• Age: 29 years 10 months
• Height: 5 feet 6¾ inches
• Chest Measurement fully expanded: 35½ inches, range of expansion 3½ inches

Ernest was mobilised from the reserve on 14 July 1916. He was initially posted as Gunner 92334 to the 2nd North Midlands Royal Field Artillery Battery. He served abroad and his service included:

• Home from 3 Dec 1915 to 8 Sep 1916, 280 days
• France from 9 Sep 1916 to 25 Oct 1917, 1 Year, 47 days
• Home 26 Oct 1917 to 2 Dec 1917, 38 days
• Total 2 years

His active service included:

• Regiment or Corps: 2nd N. Mid. Bde RFA (T)
• Regimental Number: 2145 92334 RH & RFA
• Rank: Gunner
• Surname: Cumberlidge
• Christian Name: Ernest
• Religion: Sal: Army
• Age on Enlistment: 30 years
• Enlisted 3 Dec 1915
• Term of Service Duration of War
• Service reckons from 3 Dec 1915
• Embarked Southampton 8 Sep 1916
• Disembarked Rouen 9 Sep 1916
• Joined Base, Rouen, 9 Sep 1916
• To front 12 Sep 1916
• Posted to No. 2 Section from Base, Rouen, 13 Sep 1916
• Posted to 80 Battery 15 Bde RFA, Rouen, 6 Oct 1916
• Admitted Hospital, Rouen, 15 Aug 1917
• SWB C.S.M. Sev:, Rouen, 15 Aug 1917
• ? Cerebro Spinal Fever, Rouen, 15 Aug 1917
• To England “P.U.O” [Pyrexia of Unknown Origin] per A.S. “Princesses Elisabeth”, Rouen, 31 Aug 1917
• Posted, Gunner, 26 Oct 1917
• Discharged (Physically Unfit) Para 392(XVI) KR & ACI 1038 of 1917
• Address 31 Madeley St, Tunstall, Stoke-on-Trent
• Character: Good

Ernest Cumberlidge was treated and assessed for deafness. The exact date and place of origin of this deafness was not known. He was been deaf in his right ear due to influenza before joining the army. However, life as a field gunner aggravated his right ear deafness and resulted in deafness in his left ear. On 12 Oct 1917 a Medical Board at Boscombe considered him to be 50% disabled due to his deafness. He was awarded a pension.

Ernest was discharged as medically unfit for service on 2 December 1917. He was described on discharge as:

• No. 92334, Army Rank: Gunner
• Name: Ernest Cumberlidge
• Corps: Royal Field Artillery
• Battalion, Battery, Company, Depot, 3c Res. Bde
• Date of Discharge: 2 Dec 1917
• Place of Discharge: Swanage
• Description at time of discharge:
• Age: 31 years 10 months
• Height: 5 feet 8 inches
• Complexion: Fresh
• Eyes: Grey
• Trade: Potter Fireman
• Intended place of residence: 31 Madeley St Tunstall Staffs
• Descriptive Marks: Mole Left Shoulder
• The above-named man is discharged in consequence of: DISCHARGED PHYSICALLY UNFIT PARA, 392(XVI)K.R.
• Military Character: good
• Character awarded in accordance with King’s Regulations: Steady sober
• Campaigns: Expeditionary Force France 1916 to 1917

Ernest died on 29 March 1920 aged a mere 33 years of age.

WW1 Service Record

SHORT SERVICE

(For the Duration of the War)

ATTESTATION OF

No: 2145 92334 Name: Ernest Cumberlidge Corps: 2^nd N Mid Brigade RFA [Royal Field Artillery]

Name: Ernest Cumberlidge

Address: 31 Madeley Street, Tunstall, Staffordshire

British Subject: Yes

Age: 29 Years 10 Months

Trade: Kilnman (Potters)

Married: Yes

Previous service: No

3 December 1915

DESCRIPTIVE REPORT ON ENLISTMENT

Name: Ernest Cumberlidge

Age: 29 years 10 months

Height: 5 feet 6¾ inches

Chest Measurement fully expanded: 35½ inches, range of expansion 3½ inches

INFORMATION SUPPLIED BY RECRUIT

Name and Address of next-of-kin: May Cumberlidge, 31 Madeley Street, Tunstall, Staffordshure, Relationship: Wife

Particulars as to Marriage (a) Christian and Surname of Woman to whom married, (b) Place and date of marriage (c) Present address

1. May Cooke, Spinster
2. Tunstall 4 Aug 1907
3. 31 Madeley Street, Tunstall, Staffordshire

Particulars as to Children

Christian Names, Date and Place of Birth:

• Ernest 12 Dec 1907, Tunstall
• Doris, 10 Oct 1913, Tunstall
• Harry 26 May 1915, Tunstall

MILITARY HISTORY SHEET

Campaigns:

• Home 14 Jul 1916 to 8 Sep 1916
• France 9 Sep 1916
• Expeditionary Force France 1916 to 1917

Medals: European War 1916 to 1917

STATEMENT of the SERVICES of No. 2145 RH & RFA 92334 Name: Ernest Cumberlidge

General Service, Attested, Private, 3 Dec 1915

General Service, To Army Reserve, Private, 4 Dec 1915

Mobilized, Private, 14 Jul 1916

2^nd N. Mid. Bde, RFA, Adm. Centre, Posted, Gunner, 14 Jul 1916

3/2^nd N.M. Bde. R.F.A., Battery, Posted from Ad Centre, Gunner 19 Jul 1916

231^st N.M. Bde. RFA, Base, Posted from 3/2^nd N.M. Bde. RFA, Gunner 9 Sep 1916

5^th Divisional Ammunition Column RFA, Posted from No. 2 T.F. Base Depot, Gunner, 12 Sep 1916

80/15 Bde, Posted, Gunner, 6 Oct 1916

36 Res. Bde. Posted, Gunner, 26 Oct 1917

Discharged Physically Unfit Para, 392(XVI)K.R., Gunner, 2 Dec 1917

Army Reserve 7/12 Colours 1 5/12 = 2yrs

Total Service towards Engagement to 2 Dec 1917 (date of discharge) 2 years

Total Service towards Pension to 2 Dec 1917 (date of discharge) 2 years

MILITARY HISTORY SHEET

Home from 3 Dec 1915 to 8 Sep 1916, 280 days

France from 9 Sep 1916 to 25 Oct 1917, 1 Year, 47 days

Home 26 Oct 1917 to 2 Dec 1917, 38 days

Total 2 years

Casualty Form – Active Service

Regiment or Corps: 2^nd N. Mid. Bde RFA (T)

Regimental Number: 2145 92334 RH & RFA

Rank: Gunner

Surname: Cumberlidge

Christian Name: Ernest

Religion: Sal: Army

Age on Enlistment: 30 years

Enlisted 3 Dec 1915

Term of Service Duration of War

Service reckons from 3 Dec 1915

Embarked Southampton 8 Sep 1916

Disembarked Rouen 9 Sep 1916

Joined Base, Rouen, 9 Sep 1916

To front 12 Sep 1916

Posted to No. 2 Section from Base, Rouen, 13 Sep 1916

Posted to 80 Battery 15 Bde RFA, Rouen, 6 Oct 1916

Admitted Hospital, Rouen, 15 Aug 1917

SWB C.S.M. Sev:, Rouen, 15 Aug 1917

? Cerebro Spinal Fever, Rouen, 15 Aug 1917

To England “P.U.O” [Pyrexia of Unknown Origin] per A.S. “Princesses Elisabeth”, Rouen, 31 Aug 1917

Posted, Gunner, 26 Oct 1917

Discharged (Physically Unfit) Para 392(XVI) KR & ACI 1038 of 1917

Address 31 Madeley St, Tunstall, Stoke-on-Trent

Character: Good

Proceedings on Discharge

No. 92334, Army Rank: Gunner

Name: Ernest Cumberlidge

Corps: Royal Field Artillery

Battalion, Battery, Company, Depot, 3c Res. Bde

Date of Discharge: 2 Dec 1917

Place of Discharge: Swanage

Description at time of discharge:

Age: 31 years 10 months

Height: 5 feet 8 inches

Complexion: Fresh

Eyes: Grey

Trade: Potter Fireman

Intended place of residence: 31 Madeley St Tunstall Staffs

Descriptive Marks: Mole Left Shoulder

The above-named man is discharged in consequence of: DISCHARGED PHYSICALLY UNFIT PARA, 392(XVI)K.R.

Military Character: good

Character awarded in accordance with King’s Regulations: Steady sober

Campaigns: Expeditionary Force France 1916 to 1917

Statement of service

Service towards engagement to 2 Dec 1917 (the date to which the record of service is completed) 2 years

Confirmation of discharge

The discharge of the above-named man is hereby confirmed for 2 Dec 1917

Place: Woolwich

Date: 13 November 1917

Medical Report on an Invalid

Station: Crag Head Hospital, Bournemouth

Unit: 8^th RFA

Regimental No. 92334

Rank: Gunner

Name: Comberledge Ernest

Age: 32

Enlisted on 14 Dec 1915 at Stoke-on-Trent

Former Trade; Potters skilled Fireman

Disability in respect of which invaliding is Proposed

276 Deafness

Statement of Case

Date of Origin of disability: uncertain

Place of origin of disability: uncertain

Concise facts of the history of the disability: Has been deaf in right ear for about 8 years subsequent on an attack of influenza. Has been deaf in left ear for 6 months, probably due to gun shock. Has had discharge from ears off and on for some time.

Give your opinion as to the causation of the disability: Right ear deafness after influenza in civil life; left ear deafness due to gun shock and attributable to service during the present war

Present condition: very deaf. Watch right Ear O, Left ear contact, tuning fork on head O. Hearing has not improved to tuning fork or watch but is improved to voice general condition is fair

Disability cause: Partly caused in action

No other disabilities

Recommend: Re-classification

Date: 12 Oct 1917

Opinion of the Medical Board

State whether the disability is clearly attributable to (1) Service during the present war: Yes, in the left ear, due to: Conditions of active service

Has the disability been aggravated: Yes, as regards right ear

Is disability permanent: Yes

Degree of disablement: 50% Board recommends: Reclassification in Ciii

Discharge recommended with further medical treatment: No

Date: 12 Oct 1917

Military Hospital Boscombe

MEDICAL HISTORY OF

Surname: Comberledge, Christian Name: Ernest

Boards: 12 Oct 1917 Boscombe, medical Board Reclassification CIII

Joined on Enlistment: RFA, 82334

Became non-effective by Discharged Physically Unfit Para, 392(XVI)K.R. 2 November 1917

Admission to Hospital

Boscombe from 3 Sep 1917 to 16 Oct 1917, Deafness, of old standing in right ear, of left ear aggravated by active service

RENEWAL OR REVISION OF AWARD

Name: Cumberlidge E. Regt: RFA Reference No. 172741H

Matter now Submitted: Man died 29 Mar 1920

Award: Deafness Right & Left Ears, 40% Disablement; left ear due to war and right ear aggravated by war

Assessment of whole condition: 40%

Pension: Cancel award at the end of the week, man died

Pension expires: Man dead

 

Adm. To Pension 21 November 1917

Rank: Gunner

Regimental No. 92334

Name: Comberlidge Ernest

Regiment: Royal Field Artillery 3^rd Res. Bde

Date of Discharge: 2 Dec 1917

Age on commencement of pension: 31 Feb 1886

Trade: Kilnman potter

Address: 31 Madeley St, Tunstall, Stoke-on-Trent

Character: Good

Army Reserve Mobilized 7/12

Colours: 15/12

= 2 yrs

Date on Enlistment: 2 Dec 1915

Date of Mobilization 14 Jul 1916

Board’s Decision (Pension per Week) 27/6 4 weeks then 13/9 48 weeks, 12/6 then 6/3

Children’s Allowance per week

Names of Children:

• Ernest 12 Dec 1907
• Doris 10 Oct 1913
• Harry 26 May 1915
• Date of Marriage: 4 Aug 1907

Foreign Service

France: 1 Year 1 Month 9 Sep 1916 to 25 Oct 1917

Cause of Discharge

Physically unfit. Deafness.

Report of Medical Board (dated 12 Oct 1917)

Origin uncertain

Result of service during present war (left ear) right ear aggravated due to conditions of active service

Permanent

Prevents 50%

Matter now Submitted : report of Med: Bd: 27 Oct 1918, Prevents 50%

Invalid Board: W.G 12 Nov 1918

Board’s Decision: 13/9 52 C & 7/11 for 3 from 4 Dec 1918

Medal Roll

ROYAL FIELD ARTILLERY

25800

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

Regimental No.	Rank	Name	Unit (in order)	Remarks
92334	Gunner	CUMBERLIDGE Ernest	R.F.A. 92334 Gunner

Woolwich, 27 March 1920

Silver War Badge

ROLL OF INDIVIDUALS entitled to the “WAR BADGE”

ROYAL FIELD ARTILLERY

20 Nov 1917 R.A.1194 WAR OFFICE

Regtl. No.	Rank	Name	Unit	No. of Badge	Enlistment	Discharge	Cause of Discharge	Whether served Overseas
92334	Gunner	Ernest Cumberlidge	3A Reserve Brigade	274,692	3 Dec 1915	2 Dec 1917	Sickness Age:31 Para 392 (xvi) K.R. A.O. ii 10 Aug 1917 2(a)(i)	Yes

Woolwich, 15 November 1917

Medal Index Card

Name.		Corps.		Rank.	Regtl. No.
CUMBERLEDGE		Royal Field Artillery		Gunner	92334
Ernest
Medal.	Roll.		Page.	Remarks.
VICTORY	RFA/229B		25800
BRITISH	Ditto		Ditto
Silver War Badge List	RA/1194
Theatre of War first served in
Date of entry therein
				K1380
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