William Cumberbatch

Private 4077 10th Battalion York & Lancaster Regiment

William Cumberbatch was born in Wigan, Lancashire, England in 1874. He was the only son and child of Joseph Cumberbirch [sic] and his wife Ann nee Calland. He was a coal miner and moved to Yorkshire.
William married Ellen Jenkinson on 14 Aug 1897 at St Thomas Church, Wigan, Lancashire, England. Together they had:

• Joseph Cumberbatch born 1897, Golborne, Lancashire, England
• Thomas William Cumberbatch born 29 October 1901, West Leigh, Lancashire, England
• Hugh Hamilton Cumberbatch born 24 Aug 1903, Earlstown, Lancashire, England
• Sarah Ann Cumberbatch born 1 Aug 1905, Earlstown, Lancashire, England
• Harold Cumberbatch born 24 Oct 1910, Hoyland, Platts Common, Yorkshire, England

William joined the army at the very start of World War 1 on 2nd September 1914 at Birdwell in Yorkshire. He had first served in the 3 Southern Royal Garrison Artillery but he was discharged due to misconduct. William became Private 4077 in the York and Lancaster Regiment. He served in France between 10th September 1915 to 21 April 1917 for 224 days.
William died 21 Apr 1917 at the 18 General Hospital, Camiers, France after a gun shot wound to his left knee resulted in his leg being amputated. He never recovered. His widow was granted a pension of 26/3 per week for herself and her three youngest children from 5 Nov 1917.

Service Record 

Attestation of 10/4077 William Cumberbatch Corps: York & Lancasters
Born: Wigan, Lancashire
Age: 41 & 4 months
Occupation: Miner
Previous service: 3 Southern Royal Garrison Artillery; discharged due to misconduct
2 September 1914

 

Statement of Services

Service reckons from 2 Sep 1914
Joined at Pontefract 6 Sep 1914
Depot Attested Private 2 Sep 1914
Mobilized Private 2 Sep 1914
Transferred 10th Bn. York & Lancs Private 15 Sep 1914
10th Bn AWOL 15 days Private 12 Oct 1915 -forfeit pay

 

Relatives

Widow: Ellen Jolly, Pinders Yard
Children and dates of birth:

• Hugh Hamilton 24th Aug
• Sarah Ann 2 Sept
• Harold 24th October

Father: not living
Mother: not living, Dead
Brothers: No brother, 
Sisters: no sister
Grandparents: not living
Blood Uncles & Aunts: Aunt Mary Anne Cumberbatch, Wigan [Mary Ann nee Cox – his Uncle's wife]
Widow Ellen Jolly of 6 Pinders Yd, Worsbrough Dale near Barnsley
Dated: 27th August 1919
Mrs E Cumberbatch, 14 Silver Street, Platts Common
7 Nov 1917 Ministry of Pensions – Widow of 4077 Private William Cumberbatch 10th Battalion York & Lancaster Regiment awarded 26/3 per week for herself and three children from 5 Nov 1917.
York 13 Aug 1919

 

From Officer in charge, Infantry Records 
to Mrs E Cumberbatch, 14 Silver Street, Platts Common near Barnsley
Sir or Madam,
I am directed to forward the undermentioned articles of private property of the late No. 4077 Rant Private Name W Cumberbatch Regiment 10th Battalion York & Lancaster Regiment
and would ask that you will kindly acknowledge receipt of the same on the form opposite:-
2 Pair of scissors, pen-knife, belt, pipe, m. cig: case, safety razor, 2 leather purses, 2 cap badges, electric torch, m. crucifix, m. watch & chain, pr of mittens, wallet, card. & photo.
Acknowledged by Mrs E Cumberbatch 16 Aug 1917

 

Casualty Form

Regiment: 10th Battalion York & Lancaster Regiment
Regimental No: 4077
Rank: Private
Name: Cumberbatch William
Enlisted: 2 Sep 1914
Term: Duration of War
Service reckons from 2 Sep 1914
11 Jan 1915 Rejoins Battalion from absence
12 Jan 1915 Awarded 15 days full pay No.1
13 Jan 1915 forfeits 5 days pay under RW
13 Apr 1917 49 Field Ambulance Admitted (shot wound knee Left) 13 Apr 1917 To 19 CCS 13 Apr 1917
14 Apr 1917 19 CCS Admitted (Gun Shot Wound knee Left) 13 Apr 1917 To 28 A.F? 14 Apr 1917
Admitted 18 General Hospital Camiers (Gun Shot Wound leg Right severe) 15 Apr 1917
18 General Hospital Died Gun Shot Wound knee Left amputation Thigh mid third 21 Apr 1917

 

Post Office Telegraphs

22 Apr 1917 War Office London
To Attest Infantry York
Co Cas P 58536 O C 18 General Hospital Camiers Tel[egraph]s 21 April died date not stated 10/4077 Private W Cumberbatch 10 Yorks & Lancs Sun Shot Wound amputated thigh left

 

Medical History of Cumberbatch William

Born: Wigan, Lancashire
Examined: 2 September 1914 at Bridwell
Age: 41 years 4 months
Height: 5 feet 7.25 inches
Chest: 35.75 inches expanded with 2.25 inches of expansion
5 Vaccination marks; vaccinated in infancy
Right Eye-V= 6/6
Left Eye-V=6/6
10th York & Lanc Regiment 10/4078

 

Military History Sheet

Home 2 Sep 1914 to 9 Sep 1915; 1 year 8 days
France 10 Sep 1915 to 21 Apr 1917; 224 days
Total 1 year 232 days
Campaigns: Expeditionary Force France
Gun Shot Wound Left Knee Joint seriously ill
Died of wounds received in action
Next of kin: Wife 14 Silver Street, Platts Common, Barnsley
Particulars as to Marriage: Ellen Jenkinson, Spinster; St Thomas Church, Wigan, 14 Aug 1897; Minister: A A Brooks Curate; Witnesses J Quailey, N Molloy
Children:

• Harold 24 Oct 1910 Hoyland
• Thomas William 29 Oct 1908 Hindley
• Sarah Hannah 1 Aug 1905 Newton
• Hugh Hamilton 24 Aug 1903 Newton

 

Description of William Cumberbatch on Enlistment

Age: 41 and 4 months
Height: 5 feet 7.25 inches
Weight: 138 lbs
Chest: 35.75 inches expanded with 2.25 inches of expansion
Complexion: Fresh
Hair: Light brown
Church of England: Yes

Considered fit on 2 Sep 1914

Medal Roll

YORK & LANCASTER REGIMENT

573B

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

Warley, March 1921

Medal Card

Commonwealth War Graves Commission

CEMETERY Fr. 40 ETAPLES Part III U.K. GRAVES

Cumberbatch, Pte. William, 10/4077. 10th Bn. York and Lancaster Regt. Died of wounds 21st April, 1917. Age 45. Son of Joseph and Hannah Cumberbatch, of Wigan, Lancs; husband  of Ellen Cumberbatch, of 27, Milner St., Platts Common, nr. Barnsley, Yorks. XIX. F. 8A.

REPORT HEADSTONE INSCRIPTIONS Schedule A

REPORT HEADSTONE INSCRIPTIONS Schedule B

GRAVES REGISTRATION REPORT FORM

Etaples Military Cemetery

Row F Plot 19