Robert Archibald Stokes
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Robert Archibald Stokes was born in 1899 the only son of Robert, a railway carpenter and Elizabeth Stokes (née King) of Shipman's Cottage, Harby. Robert’s father was born in 1862 at Kinoulton, Nottinghamshire, his mother at Newark. She died on 14th November 1918 of influenza aged 55. Married in 1884, they had the following children - Elizabeth Ann b.1887, Gertrude b.1889, Ethel b.1891, Hilda b.1894 and Robert Archibald b.1899. All were born at Harby.
Robert Stokes enlisted on 15th May 1917 at Nottingham, giving his age as 17 years and 342 days. Posted to the reserves the following day, he was mobilised on 7th July 1917 and posted to the West Yorkshire Regiment. He landed in France on 3rd April 1918 and transferred to the Durham Light Infantry on 6th April. He became a prisoner of war on 27th May 1918. Admitted to Leith General hospital, Scotland on 27th December 1918 with dysentery, he died at the hospital on 17th January 1919 of influenza and dysentery. He is buried at Harby St Mary Churchyard.
In memoriam published 17th January 1920 in the Nottingham Evening Post: ‘STOKES. – In loving memory of our dear brother, Archie, died January 17th, 1919, after being prisoner in Germany. One year has passed, our hearts still sore, and from our home we miss him more. – Ethel, Hilda, Walter, and Jack.’ ‘STOKES. – In loving memory of our dear brother, Archie, died in Leith Hospital, January 17th, 1919, after being prisoner of war. 'Tis sad, but true, we cannot tell why, the best are the first that are called to die. – Gert & Will.’ ‘STOKES. – In loving memory of Pte. Archie Stokes (ex-prisoner of war), who died January 17th, 1918, [sic] aged 19 years. Gone from worry and care, sorrow and pain, waiting in Heaven till I meet him again. – Loving sister, Lizzie.’ In Memoriam courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918 Research by Peter Gillings
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