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Discover the biography and family history of Major Robert Cecil Cumberbatch a Captain in The Rifle Brigade in WW1 and Captain in the Intelligence Corps in WW2.
Robert Cecil Cumberbatch
Robert Cecil Cumberbatch Captain Rifle Brigade WW1 & Major Intelligence Corps WW2
Discover the biography and family history of Major Robert Cecil Cumberbatch a Captain in The Rifle Brigade in WW1 and Captain in the Intelligence Corps in WW2.
Robert was commissioned as a Temporary Second Lieutenant on 1 October 1914. He was promoted to Temporary Lieutenant 15th Battalion The Rifle Brigade on 26th November 1914.
Robert was described as:
- Fair complexion,
- fair hair,
- grey eyes,
- height: 1.75 metres
COPY PROCEEDINGS.
COURT OF ENQUIRY assembled at the 41st Bde. Bombschool this day of September, 1915, to enquire into the deaths of the following N.C.Os and men of the 41st Brigade.
No Corpl Barrett, 8th Bn Rifle Bde.
No 7240 L/Cpl Woolley, 8th Bn K.R.R.
No 1293 Rfmn Kershaw, 8th Bn K.R.R.
and also into the wounding of the following;-
2nd Lieut Domville 8th Bn K.R.R.
Rfn Thorley 8th Bn K.R.R.
The COURT assembles as follows;-
PRESIDENT Captain P.M. Milward 7th R Bde.
MEMBERS 2nd Lieut Emerson 9th K.R.R.
2nd Lieut A.E.J. Maclean 9th K.R.R.
No 7009 Rfmn Brookes A.E, 8th Bn K.K.Rifles states;-
On the 17th instant, at about 3-15 p.m. I was under cover in trench C I saw Rfmn Kershaw take a Bethune Bomb in his hand. He was standing in Barricade B I saw him remove the tape from the Nobel Safety Lighter he removed the pin and pressed down. He was [in] the act of turning the lighter when the Bomb exploded. I remained in observation and saw L/Cpl Woolley who was standing immediately behind Rfn Kershaw and Rfmn Kershaw fall.
I went forward and found Rfn Kershaw dead and the others at Barricade B wounded. I assisted L/CPl Woolley who died in a few moments. A Doctor (Lieut Hopkins 43rd Field Amb) arrived before L/Cpl Woolley died. I noticed the others at Barricade B on the ground with men who had been with me in trench C assisting them. The following were at Barricade B Rfn Kershaw, L/Cpl Woolley Corpl Barrett, Lieut Domville, Rfmn Thorley. I indicate on the diagram the position of the above just before the explosion. Rfmn Kershaw (a) L/Cpl Woolley (b) Rfmn Thorley (e) Lieut Domville (d) Corpl Barrett ( c). No others were at Barricade B, but two squads were waiting in trench C.
sd Rfn A.E. Brookes
7009 8th K.R.R.C.
No 8998 Rfmn Simpson J. 8th K.R.R.;-
On the 17th instant, at about 3:15, I was in trench C and was detailed as next man to Rfn Kershaw to throw a live bomb. Rfmn Kershaw was in Barricade B at point (a) I saw him take a Bethune Bomb in his left hand. He stripped the paper off the Nobel Safety Match and pressed down the match. The bomb exploded immediately, I ran towards the road in search of assistance; I met a Doctor coming. The bombs which had been thrown had been assembled by my squad about half an hour before practice. I had been under instruction for two days. The Bombs, the detonators, fuzes, and safety matches were as supplied.
The fuzes and detonators were fitted together, we fixed the detonators in the bombs, and fitted the matches to the fuze, we pinched the match with nippers supplied. LCpl Woolley was present when the bombs were being made up, he examined all.
sd/ Rfn J.Simpson, 8998
8th Bn K.R.R.
No 1596 Rfn Thorley W.J. 8th Bn states;-
On the 17th instant at about 3:15p.m., I was a member of the 8th K.R.R. under instruction for Bomb Throwing. We had been under instruction for two days. I was standing in Barricade B in position ( c) and was waiting my turn to throw. Rfmn Kershaw was at the Barricade in position (a) and was preparing to throw his first live bomb. The bombs were made up by my squad and at about 2 p.m. on the 17th instant. We were given the parts and L/Cpl Woolley instructed us and examined all the bombs made up. I saw Rfn Kershaw take a bomb in his hand, he tore off the tape, took out the pin, pressed down on the match and turned the head. The bomb exploded instantly. I was wounded in the hand and saw nothing further. I was bandaged by a comrade and walked to hospital.
Rfn W.J. Thorley,
8th K.R.R.
Lieut Cumberbatch 7th R.B. [Rifle Brigade] states;-
On the 17th instant I was with the 7th R.B. squad some distance from the accident. I heard cries and proceeded to the spot where I found a Doctor who had just arrived and the wounded being bandaged. As senior present I ordered the stock of made up bombs in Barricade B to be removed and left untouched and I have now ordered these to be packed and returned t the transport of the Brigade H.Q. Rfn Kershaw was dead on arrival. L/Cpl Woolley died within a few minutes and I am informed that Corpl Barrett has since died and that 2nd Lieut Doinville (sic) has been evacuated from the 43rd Field Ambulance. Rfn Thorley has been treated in the 42nd Field Ambulance and has now returned.
(sgd) R.C. Cumberbatch Lieut.
7th Rifle Brigade.
I attach sketch of scene of accident references as follows;-
A. Pit into which bombs were thrown
B. Tee shaped Barricade used by throwers
C. D. Position or 1st and 2nd witnesses and of 2 squads waiting to throw. C.D. is a type of fire trench
a. Position of Rfn Kershaw (thrower)
b. Position of L/Cpl Woolley
c. Position of Corpl Barrett
d. Position of 2nd Lieut Domville
e. Position of Rfn Thorley
The position of Corpl Barrett is not quite clear as witnesses are inclined to disagree.
Sd/ H Milward, Captain PRESIDENT
Sd/ Frank Emerson, 2nd Lieut, 9th K.R.R.
Sd/ A.E.J. MacLean 2nd Lieut 9th K.R.R.
OPINION.
I am of the opinion that the injuries received by 2nd Lieut Domville and Rfmn Thorley, 8th K.R.R. were due to an accident and that they were not to blame.
sd/ H.H. Green. Lieut. Colonel.
Commanding 8th Battn. Kings Royal Rifles.
3rd October. 1915.
OPINION.
3rd October. 1915.
I am of opinion that the death of Corpl Barrett, occurred through an accident and that no blame can be attached to anyone. I would however add that courses of this sort should be supervised by a really competent instructional staff.
Sd R. Maclachlan, Lieut Colonel
Commanding 8th Bn Rifle Brigade.
3rd October, 1915.
Certified Copy
Captain i/c New Armies Infantry Records. G.H.QRs 3rd Echelon.
15-1-16 [15 Jan 1916]
Robert was a merchant and was the Executor of his mother’s will when Helene Gertrude CUMBERBATCH of Ravenstone, Royston, Park Road, Hatch End, Pinner, Middlesex, widow, died 15 August 1928 and Probate was granted at Canterbury on 28 September 1928. Effects £17,423 2s 1d.
Robert was a Captain in the Intelligence Corps during Word War 2. After the war he became an Honorary Major on completion of Short Service Commission on 1st March 1950.
1915 Star Medal Roll
ROLL OF INDIVIDUALS entitled to the Decoration granted under Army Order 20 of 23 December 1918
| Rank | Name | Date of Disembarkation | War Office Use |
| 2 Lieutenant | Robert Cecil Cumberbatch | 11 Aug 1915 | IVX/2173 18 Oct 1921 EF/5/1065 |
RIFLE BRIGADE ROLL OF INDIVIDUALS entitled to the Victory Medal and British War Medal
| Rank | Name | Disposal of decorations | Medal |
| Captain | Robert Cecil Cumberbatch | EF/5/1065 | British War & Victory Medal IV X/2173 18 Oct 1921 |
WW1 Medal Card of Captain Robert Cecil Cumberbatch
| Campaign: 1915 Star | (A) Where decoration was earned | |||||
| (B) Present situation | ||||||
| Name | Corps | Rank | Reg. No. | Roll on which included (if any) | ||
| (A) Cumberbatch | Rifle Brigade | Lieutenant | 10923 | Medal | Roll | Page |
| (B) Robert Cecil | Military Attache | Captain | “ | Victory | OFF51 | 5c |
| Action taken | #1 1915 Star } I.V.X. 2173 18 Oct 1921 EF/5/1065 #2 British War & Victory Medals } | |||||
| Theatre of War | France 5th August 1915 | |||||
| Qualifying Date | EF/5/1065 | |||||
| Correspondence Captain R C Cumberbatch The Director of Military Intelligence forwards Application through. J.I.A. 27 Feb 1919 14 Mar 1919 EF9 returned 29 Aug 1921 Address: British Legation Athens Federation of British Industries, 39 St James Street, London S.W.1. | ||||||
