Francis Charles Ray Cumberlege 1892-1976

Private M2/032644 Lorry Driver Royal Army Service Corps

Francis Charles Ray CUMBERLEGE (known as 'Ray') was the son of Reverend Harry Altham CUMBERLEGE (1858-1920) and Mary THORNTON (1868?-1897). He was born in Q3 1892 in Halstead, Kent, England. On 31 March 1901 he lived in 129 Banbury Road, Oxford, Oxfordshire, England. On 2 April 1911 he lived in Home Place, Cromer Road, Norfolk, England. On 2 April 1911 he was a Student in Cromer Road, Norfolk, England. 

Between 7 January 1915 and 10 May 1917 he was a Private M2/032644 Lorry Driver Royal Army Service Corps. He was discharged on 10 May 1917 due to Neurasthenia – a mechanical weakness of the actual nerves whilst at the No. 1 Royal Field Artillery Officer Cadet School. 

WW1 Pension Record Francis Charles Ray Cumberlege

SHORT SERVICE Attestation of No. M2/032644 Francis Charles Ray Cumberlege Army Service Corps
Mechanical Transport – Motor Lorry Driver
Name: Francis Charles Ray Cumberlege
Address: 28 Harley St., W.
British Subject: Yes
Age: 22
Trade: Motor Lorry Driver
Married: no
Previous service: No
For the Duration of the War: Yes
7 Jan 1915 at Grove Park

 

Descriptive Report on Enlistment
Name: Francis Charles Ray Cumberlege
Age: 22
Height: 5 feet 11½ inches
Chest: 38 inches expanded with 4 inches of expansion
Descriptive marks: Small mole on left side of neck
Religion: Church of England
Next of Kin: Rev Harry Altham Cumberlege, 28 Harley St, Ockham, Surrey, Relationship: Father
Not married, no children

 

Statement of Services
Service towards limited engagement reckons from 7 Jan 1915
Joined at Grove Park on 8 Jan 1915
Attested Private 7 Jan 1915
Posted to RHA Cadet Unit St John’s Wood 29 Dec 1916
From Officer Cadet School- Discharged – No longer physically fit for War Service – Para 392 (XVI) K.R. AFB 122 Field Conduct Sheet Destroyed. No entry thereon
Home 7 Jan 1915 to 20 Mar 1915
Mediterranean Expeditionary Force 21 Mar 1915 to 22 Sep 1916
Home 23 Sep 1916 to 10 May 1917

 

Descriptive Report on Enlistment
Name: Francis Charles Ray Cumberlege
Age: 22
Height: 5 feet 11½ inches
Chest: 38 inches expanded with 4 inches of expansion
Descriptive marks: Small mole on left side of neck
Religion: Church of England
Next of Kin: Rev Harry Altham Cumberlege, 28 Harley St, Ockham, Surrey, Relationship: Father
Not married, no children

 

Proceedings on Discharge
No: M2/032644
Rank: Private
Name: Francis Charles Ray Cumberlege
Corps: Army Service Corps
Battalion: MT [Motor Transport]
Date of discharge: 10 May 1917
Place of discharge: Woolwich Dockyard
Description at time of discharge
Age: 24 years 0 months
Height: 5 feet 11½ inches
Chest: 38 inches expanded with 4 inches of expansion
Complexion: Fresh
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Dark Brown
Trade: Motor Lorry Driver
Intended place of residence: St Michael’s, Ascot
Descriptive marks: Small mole on left side of neck
The above-named man is discharged in consequence of Discharged – No longer physically fit for War Service – Para 392 (XVI) K.R.
Military character: Particulars not to hand 26 Apr 1917
Character awarded in accordance with King’s Regulations: Particulars not to hand, Temporary certificate issued 26 Apr 1917

 

Campaigns, Medals and Decorations: 

• Home 7 Jan 1915 to 20 Mar 1915
• MEF [Mediterranean Expeditionary Force] 21 Mar 1915 to 22 Sep 1916
• Home 23 Sep 1916 to 10 May 1917

Statement of Service: Service towards engagement on 10 Mar 1917 (the date to which the record of service is completed) two years 24 days
Confirmation of discharge: 10 May 1917

 

Statement of Services
Service towards limited engagement reckons from 7 Jan 1915
Joined at Grove Park on 8 Jan 1915
Attested Private 7 Jan 1915
Posted to RHA Cadet Unit St John’s Wood 29 Dec 1916
From Officer Cadet School- Discharged – No longer physically fit for War Service – Para 392 (XVI) K.R. AFB 122 Field Conduct Sheet Destroyed. No entry thereon
Home 7 Jan 1915 to 20 Mar 1915
Mediterranean Expeditionary Force 21 Mar 1915 to 22 Sep 1916
Home 23 Sep 1916 to 10 May 1917

 

Casualty Form – Active Service
Regiment: ASC 29 Division Supply Column
Regimental No; M2/032644
Rank: Private
Name: Francis C R Cumberledge
Enlisted: 7 Jan 1915
Term of Service: Duration of War
Service reckons from 7 Jan 1915
Embarked per Japanese Prince Avonmouth 21 Mar 1915
Disembarked Alexandria 14 Apr 1915
Embarked “Knight Templar” Alexandria 15 Oct 1915
Disembarked Salonika 22 Oct 1915
10th Divisional Supply Column Salonika 22 Oct 1915
Admitted Hospital “Contused Right Foot” Salonika 12 Mar 1916
Discharged Hospital “Contused Right Foot” Salonika 22 Apr 1916
To 244 Company
Admitted Hospital Salonika 13 Jul 1916
Admitted Hospital ex “Essequibo” (Malaria) Malta 29 Jul 1916
Invalided to England per 45 Carisbrook Castle Malta 7 Sep 1917
Home from MEF 23 Sep 1916
From No1 RFA Officer Cadet School Discharged – Private No longer physically fit for War Service – Para 392 (XVI) K.R. 10 May 1917
Attached No. 1 RFA Officer Cadet School, St Johns Wood Date of Casualty: 29 Dec 1916
From No1 RFA Officer Cadet School Discharged – Private No longer physically fit for War Service – Para 392 (XVI) K.R. 10 May 1917.

 

Special Medical Board
Chelsea Number: 28071 EH
Admission to Pension: Week ending 2 May 1917
Rank: Private
Regimental no: 032644
Name: Francis Charles Ray Cumberlege
Regiment: Army Service Corps attached No. 1 Royal Field Artillery Officers Cadet School
Date of Discharge: 10 May 1917
Age on commencement of pension: 24      7 Jan 1893
Trade: Motor Lorry Driver
Address; St Michaels Ascot
Place of birth: Halstead, Kent
Children’s allowance: Single
Date of enlistment: 7 Jan 1915
Foreign Service: Mediterranean Expeditionary Force 1 year 6 months 21 Mar 1915 – 22 Sep 1916
Cause of discharge: Physically unfit – Neurasthenia [a mechanical weakness of the actual nerves]
Report of Medical Board dated 13 Apr 1917
Originated Nov 1916 Eastbourne – Full of apprehensions that he cannot do duty. Cannot control thought. Result of Active Service, exposure & infection & unusual strain.
Prevents one half.
AFB 103 Contused Right Foot Salonica 12 Mar 1916
Malaria Malta 29 Jul 1916
To England 7 Sep 1916
Special Medical Board recommend pension on basis of total lessened capacity for 3 months followed by ½ for 3 months 19 Apr 1917. Expires 13 Nov 1917
Special Medical Board applied for 19 Oct 1917 (not yet received) For interim Award 7 Nov 1917

 

Report of Special Board 23 Oct 1917 Invalid Board 28 Nov 1917
Prevents less than 1%
Recommends gratuity under Section 7(1) R.W.
Estimated Disability less than 1%
No Gun Shot Wound
Gratuity 1%T £12 10s 0d, 2yrs £2 10s 0d total £15 0s 0d

 

Medical Report on Invalid 14 Apr 1917
Station: St Johns Wood NW8
Date: March 1917
Unit: No.1 RFA Officer Cadet School
Regimental No: M2/032644
Rank: Cadet
Name: Cumberlege Francis Charles Ray
Age last birthday: 24
Enlisted: 30 Dec 1914 at London
Former trade: Student and Motor Driver
Disability: Neurasthenia 

 

Statement of Case
Date of origin: November 1916
Place of origin: Eastbourne
Facts: Invalided from Salonika with Malaria July 26 1916. In Hospital Malta until September 7th 1916. Then admitted at Eastleigh September 14 – 1 week at Eastbourne Convalescent until November 25 1916
Cause of disability: Neurasthenia following malaria due to Active Service
Present condition: Full of apprehensions that he cannot do duty. Hs lost “interest in things” Cannot control thought
Recommend: Reclassification in a category from which men are eligible for Transfer to class PNPT of the Reserve
St Johns Wood March 20, 1917
 

Opinion of the Medical Board
Disability due to: Active Service
Attributed to: Exposure & infection & unusual strain
SPECIAL MEDICAL BOARD recommend pension on basis of total lessened capacity for 3 months. Followed by ½ for 3 months
Duration of disability: 12 months
Extent of disability: one half
This man has been reclassified to Category CIII
April 13th 1917 Special Medical Board 78 Lancaster Gate, Hyde Park, W.

He died on 4 June 1976 in Cotswold, Chiswall, Portland, Dorset, England.

Medals

ROYAL ARMY SERVICE CORPS

ROLL No: B/1133 1914-1915 Star

ROLL of INDIVIDUALS entitled to the Decoration granted under Army Order XX of 23rd December 1918 [1914-15 Star]

RASC, Woolwich Dockyard, 11 Oct 1919

ROYAL ARMY SERVICE CORPS

ROLL No: 2248B

ROLL of INDIVIDUALS entitled to the Victory Medal and British War Medal granted under Army Orders 301 30 Aug 1919 and V of 16 Jul 19191 respectively

RASC, Woolwich Dockyard, 5 Mar 1920

ROLL OF INDIVIDUALS entitled to the “WAR BADGE”

No: ASC 1020 7 May 1917 War Office

Woolwich Dockyard, 5 May 1917

Medal Card