Malcolm Reay Cumberledge 1889-1966

Sergeant 524598 4th Reserve Battalion Territorial Force Royal Engineers

Malcolm Reay Cumberledge was born on 13 January 1889 and was the son of John Augustus Cumberledge, a Major Territorial Force Royal Garrison Artillery Cornwall, and his wife Mary Saxby nee McKay.

By 1911 Malcolm was an assistant in a school in St Austell, Cornwall. He married Eveline May Johnston on 25 March 1911 and they had two children together:

• Robert John Cumberledge born 14 March 1912
• Phyllis Mary Cumberledge born 11 July 1914

On 23 February 1914 and at 25 years of age Malcolm joined the Territorial Force for a term of four years. He was a clerk with the Luton Education Authority. His army medical assessment describes him as:

• Age: 25 years 1 month
• Height: 6 feet
• Chest measurement: 39¼ inches with 3¼ inches of expansion
• Vision: Good
• Physical development: Good
• Considered fit for the Territorial Force

He was assessed for "Trade and Special Qualifications". He was assessed initially assessed by JH Hackett, a certified teacher, as a 3rd Class Clerk as 'very good' with effect from 19 June 1914; as 2nd Class Clerk as 'very superior' from 1 September 1914 and as 1st Class Clerk as 'very superior' from 12 June 1915.

His service record in England included:

• East Anglian Royal Engineers 2nd Company Southill, Sapper from 25 July 1914 to 4 August 1914
• Appointed Lance Corporal from 15 June 1914 to 19 July 1914
• Promoted 2nd Corporal 20 July 1914 to 4 January 1915
• Royal Engineers 2nd Company Embodied Service 2nd Corporal 5 August 1914 to 4 January 1915
• Royal Engineers 2nd Promoted Corporal 5 January 1915 to 10 July 1915
• Royal Engineers 2/2 Promoted Acting Serjeant 11 July 1915
• 4th Prov _d Co Posted Acting Serjeant 12 February 1916

Malcolm was discharged as surplus to military requirements and due to illness. His military character was very good. His disability was  "VDH" Valvular Disease of the Heart which was attributable to service. He was awarded a pension of 5/6 from 23 May 1919 for 1 year plus an allowance of 2/4 for two children.

TERRITORIAL FORCE

4 years Service in the United Kingdom

No. 932 Name Malcolm Reay Cumberledge East Anglian Divisional Royal Engineers

Name: Malcolm Reay Cumberledge

Parish or Town of birth: St Austell, Cornwall

British Subject: Yes

Age: 29 [entry has been amended but should be 25] Years 1 Month

Occupation: Clerk

In whose employ: Borough of Luton Education Authority

Residence:         Grange Road, Leagrave, Luton

Apprentice: No

Married: Yes

Previous Service: Cornwall Royal Fortress Engineers 4 yrs

Are you willing to be attested for the term of 4 years for service in the Territorial Force of the County of Bedfordshire to service in the East Anglian Engineers: Yes

23^rd Feb 1914

MEDICAL INSPECTION REPORT

Name: Malcolm Reay Cumberledge

Age: 25 years 1 month

Height: 6 feet

Chest measurement: 39¼ inches with 3¼ inches of expansion

Vision: Good

Physical development: Good

Certificate of Medical Examination

I have examined the above-named recruit and find that he does not present any of the causes of rejection specified in the Regulations. He can see at the required distance with either eye; his heart and lungs are healthy; he has the free use of his joints and limbs; he does not suffer from hernia; and declared that he is not subject to fits of any description.

I consider him fit for the Territorial Force.

Date: 23^rd February 1914

Place: Luton

Certificate of Primary Military Examination

I hereby certify that the above-named recruit was inspected by me, and I consider him fit for service in the East Anglian Divisional Royal Engineers and that due care has been exercised in this enlistment.

Date: 23 Feb 1914

Place: Bedford

Certificate of Approving Officer.

I certify that this Attestation of the above-named recruit is correct, and properly filled up, and that the required forms appear to have been complied with. I accordingly approve, and appoint him to the 2^nd East Anglian Field Company Royal Engineers.

Date: 23 Feb 1914

Place: Bedford

MINISTRY OF PENSIONS

6 Jul 1919

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.

Discharged Para. 392 (XVIa) KR

To the Officer Commanding Royal Engineers Regiment

Rank (for pension) (Sergeant) Sapper for pension

Regimental No: 524598

Name: Cumberledge, Malcolm Reay

Date of Disembodiment 22 May 1919

Age on Discharge: 31

Marital Status: Married

Address on Discharge: 22 Lonsboro Road, Wallasey

Disabilities: VDH [Valvular Disease of the Heart], Attributable [to service]

Degree of Disablement: 20%

Weekly Pension 5/6 from 23 May 1919 to be reviewed in 52 weeks. Nature of award: C1(1)

Allowance for two children 2/4 from 23 May 1919

 

Mr M.R. Cumberledge 524598

31 Cardigan Street, Upper Brighton, Cheshire

Herewith your Royal Engineers Discharge & Character Certificate, on receipt of which, Kindly sign your name below and return this slip immediately.

Encl. 2

 

BEDFORDSHIRE TERRITORIAL FORCE ASSOCIATION

SHIRE HALL, BEDFORD

11 Mar 1919

O[fficer] i/c Records Chatham

Please note the following alteration respecting family of the undermentioned man.

Regtl No: 524598

Rank: Sgt

Name: M.R. Cumberledge

Unit: East Anglian Field Company Royal Engineers

Change of Address: Woodlands Nurseries, Conway

PROTECTION CERTIFICATE AND CERTIFICATE OF IDENTITY

Surname: CUMBERLEDGE

Christian Names: Malcolm Reay

Regtl No. 524598

Rank: Sergeant

Unit: 4^th Reserve Battalion

Regt: Royal Engineers

Pay: Chatham

Address for Pay: 22 Lonsborough Road, Wallasey, Cheshire

Theatre of War or Command: W

Born in the Year: 1889

Medical Category: B11

Place of rejoining in case of emergency: Deganwy

Specialist Military Qualification; Military Engineering

 

Report of the Employment Department, Ministry of Labour, in the case of a Soldier who on Demobilization has made a positive claim on A.F. for consideration for a Disability Pension

Soldier’s Name: CUMBERLEDGE MALCOLM REAY

Unit from which discharged: 4^th Reserve Battalion Royal Engineers

Regimental Number 524598

Rank on Discharge: Sergeant

Age on Discharge: 31

Occupation before enlistment: Schoolmaster

Address on Discharge: 22 Lonsboro Road Wallasey

 

[SERVICE SHEET]

Attested Sapper 23 Feb 1914

Annual Training

East Anglian Royal Engineers 2^nd Company Southill, Sapper 2^nd Corporal from 25 Jul 1914 to 4 Aug 1914

Appointed Lance Corporal from 15 June 1914 to 19 Jul 1914

Promoted 2^nd Corporal 20 Jul 1914 to 4 Jan 1915

 

Royal Engineers 2^nd Company Embodied Service Sapper 2^nd Corporal 5 Aug 1914 to 4 Jan 1915

Royal Engineers 2^nd Promoted Corporal 5 Jan 1915 to 10 Jul 1915

Royal Engineers 2/2 Promoted Acting Serjeant 11 Jul 1915

4^th Prov _d Co Posted Acting Serjeant 12 Feb 1916

Continued in the Service under The Military Service Acts from 23 Feb 1919

 

MILITARY HISTORY SHEET

Home from 23 Feb 1914 to 4 Aug 1914 163 days

HOME from 5 Aug 1914 to 22 May 1919 4 years 291 days

Total 5 years 89 days

 

Campaigns HOME from 5 Aug 1914 to 22 May 1919

 

Name and address of next of kin: Major Cumberledge (father) May [Cumberledge] Woodlands Nurseries, Conwy (Wife) c/o Mr Johnston, Penryn St, Redruth, Cornwall

 

Age on enlistment: 29 years 1 months

Discharged surplus to military requirements having suffered impairment since military service Para 392(XVI)a KR Serjeant 22 May 1919

Serial No; 7492

Military Character Very Good

Total Service towards Engagement to 22 May 1919 (date of discharge) 5 years 89 days

Total Service towards Pension to 22 May 1919 (date of discharge) 4 years 291 days

 

To the Officer of Records, CHATHAM

Please note the following in the original attestation of the man named and return counterfoil to me:-

No. 524598

Rank: Sergeant

Name: Cumberledge M.R.

Unit “E” Company 4^th Reserve Battalion Royal Engineers

Bounty allowed under Army Order 209 of 1916 (excluding £15 if already aAllowed under Army Order 86 of 1916)                                            £15

Credited for present issue                         £5

Balance to be issued subsequently           £10

22 Mar 1919

BEDFORDSHIRE TERRITORIAL FORCE ASSOCIATION

SHIRE HALL, BEDFORD

2 May 1918

Regimental No. 524598

Unit: Royal Engineers

Rank: a/Sergeant

Name of Soldier: Cumberledge, M.R.

Marriage 25 Mar 1911

Eveline M. c/o Mrs Johnston Penryn St, Redruth, Cornwall

Children:

Robert  Date of Birth: 14 Mar 1912

Phyllis Date of Birth: 11 Jul 1914

TRADE AND SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS

No. 923 Name Sapper R Cumberledge

Trade: Clerk (Certificated teacher)

Classification: Very Good

With effect from: 19 Jun 1914

Rating: 3^rd

Authority for Assessment: App XIII FF Regs 1912

SUBSEQUENT ENTRIES

Trade: Clerk

Classification: Very Superior

With effect from: 1 Sep 1914

Rating: 2^nd

Authority for Assessment: Board

 

Trade: Clerk

Classification: Very Superior

With effect from: 12 June 1915

Rating: 1^st

Authority for Assessment: C1810 No 46 d/- 11 Jun 1915

 

Certificate of Trade Proficiency

Borough of Luton Education Authority

Place: Luton

Date: 10 May 1914

I certify that I have tested Recruit Sapper M.R. Cumberledge and find him to be a most excellent clerk (Certificated Teacher)

Signature of Civilian Tradesman: JH Hackett

Address 35 Downs Road, Luton

Trade: Certificated Teacher

IMPERIAL AND GENERAL SERVICE OBLIGATION

Agreement to be made by an officer or man of the Territorial Force to subject himself to liability to service in any place outside the United Kingdom during the present period of embodiment.

I (No.) 932 (Rank) a/Serjeant (Name) Malcolm R Cumberledge to hereby agree to accept liability, during the present period of embodiment to serve in ay place outside the United Kingdom, in accordance with the provisions of Section XIII. (2)(a) of the Territorial and Reserve Forces Act, 1907. I understand that release from this obligation can during the present period of embodiment be granted only with the consent of the competent military authority.

M.R. Cumberledge (signature of officer or man)

(station) 13 Jan 1916

(Date) Warley

ROLL OF INDIVIDUALS entitled to the “WAR BADGE”

22 Jan 1920 No R.E. 4658 WAR OFFICE

Regtl No.	Rank	Name	Unit	No. of Badge	Enlistment	Discharge	Cause of Discharge	Whether served Overseas
524598	Sergeant	Cumberledge, Malcolm	4th Reserve Battalion	456,438	23 Feb 1014	22 May 1919	A.O. 29 of Jan 1919 Para. 392 (xvia) Sickness

Chatham, 21^st January 1920

Medal Index Card