William Cumberbatch

Private 40018 3rd Battalion Prince of Wales Volunteers South Lancashire Regiment

William Cumberbatch was born at Moreton, Astbury, Cheshire, England on 21 October 1888. He was baptsed at St Mary's Church, Astbury on 2 December 1888. He was the eldest son of Thomas Cumberbatch and his wife Phoebe nee Sanderson. William became a Banskman at a coal mine.
He enlisted in the army on 9 December 1915. He joined the 3rd Battalion Prince of Wales' Volunteers, South Lancashire Regiment as Private 40018. He spent the first year and 2 months in the reserves and was mobilised on 23 February 1917 but did not serve overseas.He was dscharged from the army at Shrewsbury on 6 Septermber 1917 as he was physically unfit for War Service. A medical board had diagnosed him as having rheumatoid arthritis which started in 1908 in England. His condition was agrravated by the war. His military character was described as "good.
On discharge he was described as:

• Age: 28 years 11 months
• Height: 5 feet 4½ inches
• Chest: expanded: 34½ inches with 2 inches of expansion
• Complexion: Fresh
• Eyes: Grey
• Hair: Dark Brown
• Trade: Banksman
• Intended place of residence: Fords Lane, Mow Cop, Stoke, Staffs
• Descriptive marks: Contraction fingers right hand

He was awarded a gratuity of £15 and his pension commenced from the end of 29 August 1917. William married Hannah Gibson at St Thomas Church, Mow Cop, Staffordshire, Egland. Together they had a son Frederick William Cumberbatch Apr 1917-2009. 
William died in 1972 in Leek, Staffordshire. 

Silver War Badge

SOUTH LANCASHIRE REGIMENT
ROLL OF INDIVIDUALS entitled to the “WAR BADGE”
No. J.964 3 Sep 1917 War Office

  Shrewsbury, August 30, 1917

Pension Record

Pension Record William Cumberbatch

Name:  William Cumberbatch

Gender:               Male

Birth Date:          abt 1889

Age:       28

Document Year:               1917

Residence Place:              Fords Lane, Mow Cop, Stoke Staffs

Regimental Number:      40018

Regiment Name:              Prince of Wales's Volunteers (South Lancashire) Regiment

Form Title:          Proceedings on Discharge

Number of Images:         10 [Ancestry]

Proceedings on Discharge

Chelsea Number: 92252

Rank: Private

Name: William Cumberbatch

Corps: South Lancashire Regiment

Date of Discharge: 6 Sept 1917

Place of Discharge: Shrewsbury

Description at time of discharge:

Age: 28 years 11 months
Height: 5 feet 4½ inches
Chest: expanded: 34½ inches with 2 inches of expansion
Complexion: Fresh
Eyes: Grey
Hair: Dark Brown
Trade: Banksman
Intended place of residence: Fords Lane, Mow Cop, Stoke, Staffs
Descriptive marks: Contraction fingers right hand

The above-named man is discharged in consequence of being No longer physically fit for War Service, para 392 (xvi) Kings Regulations

Military character: Good

Admitted to Pension: Week ending 29 Aug 1917

Rank: Private

Regimental No: 40018

Name: William Cumberbatch

Regiment: South Lancs

Date of Discharge: 6 Sep 1917

Age: 29             Born 1888

Address: Fords Lane, Mow Cop, Stoke, Staffs

Character: Good

Service:

A Res B 1yr 2/12
Col[ours] 7/12
Total 1yr 9/12

Date of Enlistment: 9 Dec 1915

Date of Mobilization: 23 Feb 1917

Chelsea Number: 92252

Gratuity £15

Names of Children: Hannah [Wife]

Foreign Service: Nil

Cause of Discharge: Physically unfit

Report o Medical Board (dated 16 Aug 1917) Rheumatoid Arthritis

Originated about 1908 England

Not result of war aggravate by active service

Permanent Cap. not lessened by enlistment

Submitted as eligible for gratuity under clause 7 (2) Royal Warrant 1917 £15

Total Service towards Engagement to 6 Sep 1917 1 year 272 days Including 1 year 76 days Army Reserve B

Military History Sheet

Home from 9 Dec 1915 to 6 Sep 1917 = 1 year 272 days Including 1 yr 76 days Army Res “B”

Next of Kin: Wife: Hannah Mow Cop, Staffordshire

Wife: Hannah Gibson

Married at: St Thomas Church, Mow Cop, 18 Feb 1917

Medal Card