William Cumberlidge Gunner Royal Garrison Artillery. Posted to the army reserve, mobilised on 19 March 1917 and discharged at demobilisation on 8 May 1919.

William Cumberlidge 1881-1951 Gunner 151213 85 Company, Royal Garrison Artillery

William Cumberlidge was born 11 February 1881 in Pitts Hill in Tunstall, Staffordshire, England. He was a son of John Cumberledge and his wife Ann nee Inskeep.

By 1901 he was working in the pottery industry as a jiggerer. He was a jiggerer making teapots by 1911.

William married May Davenport in 1906 and they had a son Frank Cumberlidge in 1907. May died either during or after childbirth in 1907. William married Florence May Jones in 1913 and they had a son William Cumberlidge, born in 1914.

William Cumberlidge enlisted in the army on 10 December 1915. He joined the Royal Garrison Artillery as Gunner 151213. On enlistment he was described as:

• Apparent age: 34 years 10 months
• Height: 5 feet 7¼ inches
• Chest measurement, Girth when fully expanded: 35½ inches, Range of expansion: 2½ inches

He was initially posted to the army reserve and was mobilised on 19 March 1917. His career included:

• RGA, Posted, Gunner, 19 Mar 1917
• No. 4 Depot RGA, 404 Battn, S, Posted, Gunner, 10 Apr 1917
• 37 Company, Posted, Gunner, 2 Jul 1917
• 42 Company, Posted, Gunner, 8 Jul 1917
• 29 Company, Posted, Gunner, 21 Jul 1917
• 3 Depot, Posted, Gunner, 7 Sep 1917
• Aden, India, Posted, Gunner, 6 Oct 1917
• No. 4 Depot RGA, 85 Company, Posted, Gunner, 4 Nov 1917
• UK, Embarked, Gunner, 1 Mar 1919
• Transferred to Class “Z” Army Reserve on Demobilization Date: 8 May 1919, Place: Dover, Address: Chell House, Gt Chell, Tunstall, Staffs
• Category: A1
• Character: Very good
• Home British from 19 Mar 1917 to 5 Oct 1917 207 days
• Aden, India from 6 Oct 1917 to 28 Feb 1919 1 year 146 days
• Enroute UK 1 Mar 1919

William was discharged due to demobilisation on 8 May 1919.

Initially William Cumberlidge was awarded just the British War Medal in 1921. However he challenged this by writing to the army:

Dear Sir

I thought I was entitled to 2 Medals instead of 1 for being on Active Service and in a Theatre of War, if I am ^please^ let me know and oblige.

W Cumberlidge

RGA Record Office, Dover received 27 Jul 1921

The error was corrected and he received his British War and Victory Medals the next year.

William died in 1951 and his wife Florence May Cumberlidge died in 1958.

WW1 Army Service Record

CUMBERLIDGE William Gunner 151213 Royal Garrison Artillery

LIST OF TRANSFER DOCUMENTS

Rank: Gunner

Name: William Cumberlidge

No: 151213

Corps: Royal Regiment of Artillery (Royal Garrison Artillery)

Pay Book, Active Service (Army Book 64)

Field Conduct Sheet (Army Form B 122)

Medical History Sheet

Duplicate Attestations

A.559 I hereby acknowledge the receipt of the BRITISH WAR MEDAL

Date: 26 Jul 1921

Regtl. No. 151213

Rank: Gunner

Signature: W Cumberlidge

Unit: RGA

Army Form B.5112

RECORD OFFICE

24 Aug 1922

I am directed to forward the accompanying B.W. and V. Medal [British War and Victory] which has been awarded to you in respect of your services

Please complete receipt and return this card. No stamp is required.

B15454

I hereby acknowledge the receipt of the B.W. and V. Medal

Regtl. No. 151213

Rank: Gunner

Signature: W Cumberlidge

Unit: RGA

Dear Sir

I thought I was entitled to 2 Medals instead of 1 for being on Active Service and in a Theatre of War, if I am ^please^ let me know and oblige.

W Cumberlidge

RGA Record Office, Dover received 27 Jul 1921

Army Form W.5112

RECORD OFFICE

22 Jul 1921

Mr W Cumberlidge

I am directed to forward the accompanying BRITISH WAR MEDAL which has been awarded to you in respect of your services with the RGA

I am to request that you will be so good as to acknowledge the receipt of the decoration on the attached form, which is to be returned to the above address in the enclosed envelope, which needs no stamp.

I am,

Your obedient servant Officer i/c RGA Records

RGA RECORD OFFICE, Dover 27 Jul 1921

Your application for Victory Medal – Asked to state dates with Aden F. Force 2 Aug 1921

INSIDE SHEET

No. 151213

Name: W Cumberlidge

From: OC Disp Unit Harrowby Camp Office

Purport and Date: IWB AFZ11 11 Apr 1919, Z21 to man 15 Apr 1919

From: Ministry of Pensions FA/179208/19

Purport and Date: Calls for discharge Docs 3 Dec 1919

Action: B103, B178, B120, Z22, Z69 D400 to Min. Pensions  12 Dec 1919

From: Ministry of Pensions FA/179208/19

Purport and Date: Again call for discharge Docs 12 Dec 1919

Action: Informed docs forwarded to Min of Pensions 12 Dec 1919 see above 20 Dec 1919

From: Man

Purport and Date: Returns Army Form Z21

Action: Z21 Stamped Discharged & forwarded to man 30 Jun 1920

Chell House

Great Chell

Nr Tunstall

Staffs

28 June 1920

Sir, I the undersigned being desirous of my final discharge from HM forces herewith close Army form Z21 for completion.

Yours truly,

151213 William Cumberlidge

RGA RECORD OFFICE, Dover, received 29 Jun 1920

Request for Discharge Documents

MINISTRY OF PENSIONS,

BURTON COURT,

KING’S ROAD,

LONDON, S.W.3.

In any reply please quote No. FA 179208.19

Regt. RGA

Regtl. No. 151213

Rank: Gunner

Name: Cumberlidge W

Date of Enlistment: /

Date of Discharge: 8 May 1919

Cause of discharge Demobilization

RGA RECORD OFFICE, Dover, received 14 Dec 1919 [first request was received 5 Dec 1919]

Army Form Z.69

Form of Receipt to accompany Documents and Statement of disability (Army Form Z.22)

Received from Officer i/c RGA Dover the documents of Regtl. No. 151213 Rank: Gunner Names in full: Cumberlidge William Unit and Corps: 85 Company, RGA

Received RGA RECORDS, Dover, 15 Dec 1919, Received Ministry of Pensions 17 Jan 1920

FIRST AWARD-SOLDIER

Name: CUMBERLIDGE William

Regiment or Corps: Royal Garrison Artillery

Date of Transfer: 8 May 1919

Regimental number: 151213

Address: Chell House, Great Chell, Tunstall, Staffs

Rank for Pension: Gunner

Age on Discharge: 38

Nature of Disability: No Disability

Nature of Award: Reject

Marital Status: Married

Reference No: 11656

No. 151213 Name: Gunner Wm Cumberlidge

85 Corps RGA

Date of Enlistment: 10 Dec 1915

[Nothing on Conduct Sheet]

Protection Certificate and Certificate of Identity

Army Form Z.11

No. 1 DISPERSAL UNIT 11 APR 1919 HARROWBY CAMP, GRANTHAM

Surname: CUMBERLIDGE

Christian Names: William

Regtl. No. 151213

Rank: Gunner

Record Office: Dover

Unit 85 Company

Regt: RGA

Pay Office: Dover

Address: Chell House, Great Chell, Tunstall, Staffs

Signature of Soldier: W Cumberlidge

The above-named soldier is granted 28 days furlough from the date stamped hereon after which date uniform will not work except upon occasions authorised by Army Orders.

Theatre of War: Aden

Born in Year: 1881

Medical Category: A1

Place of rejoining in case of emergency: Catterick

11 Apr 1919, Harrowby Camp, Grantham

SHORT SERVICE

(For the Duration of the War, with the Colours and in the Army Reserve)

ATTESTATION OF No. 15123 Name: William Cumberlidge Corps: RGA

Name: William Cumberlidge

Address: 2 Bank Street Chell House, Chell Nr Tunstall

British Subject: Yes

Age: 34 Years 10 months [born Feb 1881]

Trade: Potter

Married: Yes

Served Before: No

10 Dec 1915, Tunstall

DESCRIPTIVE REPORT ON ENLISTMENT

Name: William Cumberlidge

Apparent age: 34 years 10 months

Height: 5 feet 7¼ inches

Chest measurement, Girth when fully expanded: 35½ inches, Range of expansion: 2½ inches

INFORMATION SUPPLIED BY RECRUIT

Name and Address of next-of-kin: Florence May Cumberlidge 2 Bank Street Chell House, Chell, Tunstall, Staffs

Relationship: Wife

Particulars as to Marriage

Christina and Surname: Florence M Jones Spinster

Place and Date: Dec 1913 Ch Ch Tunstall, Staffs

Present address: 2 Bank St, Tunstall, Staffs

Particulars as to Children

Christian names:

Frank 8, Place of birth: Burslem

William 1, Place of birth: Tunstall

MILITARY HISTORY SHEET

Campaigns: Home British from 19 Mar 1917 to 5 Oct 1917

Aden (India) 6 Oct 1917

Medals: British War and Victory Medal Page: B.15454

STATEMENT of the SERVICE of No. 151213 Name: Wm Cumberlidge

Corps: General Service, Attested, Private, 10 Dec 1915

Corps: General Service, To Army Reserve, Private, 11 Dec 1915

Mobilized 19 Mar 1917

RGA, Posted, Gunner, 19 Mar 1917

No. 4 Depot RGA, 404 Battn, S, Posted, Gunner, 10 Apr 1917

37 Company, Posted, Gunner, 2 Jul 1917

42 Company, Posted, Gunner, 8 Jul 1917

29 Company, Posted, Gunner, 21 Jul 1917

3 Depot, Posted, Gunner, 7 Sep 1917

Aden, Posted, Gunner, 6 Oct 1917

No. 4 Depot RGA, 85 Company, Posted, Gunner, 4 Nov 1917

UK, Embarked, Gunner, 1 Mar 1919

Transferred to Class “Z” Army Reserve on Demobilization Date: 8 May 1919, Place: Dover, Address: Chell House, Gt Chell, Tunstall, Staffs

Category: A1

Character: Very good

Home British from 19 Mar 1917 to 5 Oct 1917 207 days

Aden from 6 Oct 1917 to 28 Feb 1919 1 year 146 days

Enroute UK 1 Mar 1919

Home British from 10 Dec 1915 to 5 Oct 1917

Aden (India) from 6 Oct 1917

REGIMENTAL CONDUCT SHEET

Army Form B120

Royal Regiment of ARTILLERY (RGA)

Regimental Number: 151213 William CUMBERLIDGE

Attested: 10 December 1915

Joined: 19 Mar 1917

[No entries on sheet]

Squadron, Troop, Battery and Company Conduct Sheet

ROYAL Regiment of ARTILLERY (RGA)

No: 151213 William CUMBERLIDGE

Joined 4 Depot 19 March 1917

Joined Landguard 10 April 1917

Joined 404 S. Bty 2 July 1917

Joined 42 Company 8 July 1917

Joined 85 Company 4 November 1917

Age on enlistment: 34 years 10 months

Date of enlistment: 10 Dec 1915

Period: Duration of War

Trade: Potter

Religion: Church of England

[No entries on sheet]

Medal Roll

ROYAL GARRISON ARTILLERY REGIMENT OR CORPS

A.599

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

Regtl. No.	Rank	Name	Units and Corps	Remarks
151213	Gunner	CUMBERLIDGE William	85 Company Royal Garrison Artillery 151213 Gunner	British War Medal returned. Resubmitted on page 15454.B Rolls Authority RGA/1A

Dover, 27 Nov 1919

ROYAL GARRISON ARTILLERY REGIMENT OR CORPS

B.15454

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

Regtl. No.	Rank	Name	Units and Corps	Remarks
151213	Gunner	CUMBERLIDGE William	85 Company Royal Garrison Artillery 151213 Gunner	British War Medal held in K. 5782/Adt Claim to British War Medal deleted from page A/559

Dover, 1 Nov 1921

Medal Card