Richard Ewart Pepper Stimpson
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Richard was the youngest son of Job Stimpson and his second wife, Emmeline Annie. Job Stimpson was born in Lincolnshire and married his first wife Sarah Ann Cousins in 1877 (O/N/D Grantham). In 1881 they were living at 10 Raglan Street, Nottingham; Job (27) was an ironmonger's assistant. Also in the household was a boarder, Robert Watson (29), who worked as a groom. Job and Sarah's son Percy was born the same year (A/M/J Nottingham). Sarah Ann died aged 38 on 25 March 1887 (J/F/M Nottingham) and was buried in Nottingham General Cemetery. Job married Emmeline Annie Pepper (b. 1861 J/A/S Uppingham) in 1888 (A/M/J Uppingham). They had four children: Betsy Alice b. 1889 (A/M/J Nottingham), William Watson b. 8 July 1890 (J/A/S Nottingham), Richard Ewart Pepper b. 1895 (J/A/S Nottingham) and Kathleen Mary b. 1905 (A/M/J Nottingham). In 1891 Job (37) and Emmeline (29) were living at 4 Stewart Place, Nottingham, with Job's son Percy (9) and their two children Betsy (1) and William (8m). Job was still working as an ironmonger's assistant. By 1901 Job (46) was an ironmonger (employer) and the family was living at 17 Carlton Street which was also his business premises. In the household on the night of the census were Percy (19) who worked at a grocer's, Betsy (11), William (10) and Richard (5) and a domestic servant, Alice Spencer (15). Their youngest child, Kathleen Mary, was born four years later in 1905. Job and Emmeline's eldest child, Betsy, married Arthur Edwin Barlow in 1910 (O/N/D Basford) and in 1911 were living at 105 Kettering Road , Northampton. Arthur (25, b. Burton Latimer) was a master butcher and Betsy (21) was assisting him in the business. Also in the household was a domestic servant, Jessie Sharpe (20). Job and Emmeline had moved to 96 Radcliffe Road, West Bridgford, by the time of the same census although the business premises were still on Carlton Road. Still living at home were Percy (29) and William (20) who were now both working as assistant ironmongers, presumably in their father's business, and Richard (15) and Kathleen (6) who were still at school. Also in the household was a general servant, Emily Agnes Dane (18). Job's eldest son Percy died aged 33 on 2 May 1915, four months before his half-brother Richard died in France. Job died on 27 December 1930; he was then living at 54 Priory Road. His widow, Emmeline died over 20 years later on 22 April 1952; she was still living at the same address. Of Richard's siblings: Betsy (Barlow) and her husband emigrated to Canada; there is a record of Arthur sailing on the SS Duchess of York from Liverpool to Quebec departing 23 August 1929. Arthur died on 5 July 1949 and Betsy on 16 July 1959; both were buried in Mountain View Cemetery, Vancouver, British Columbia. William Watson died in 1970 (December Bingham) age 80. Kathleen Mary married Eric Stowe in 1929 (J/A/S Nottingham).
Richard attested on 2 September 1914 at the age of 19 years 84 days. He trained at Aldershot (24 September 1914) and was then posted to Folkestone (8 February 1915). He served in France from 29 July 1915 but on 31 August the same year was mortally wounded in an accident during bomb throwing practice. He was initially treated at No. 4 Casualty Clearing Station with 'bomb wounds to the head accidental' (injuries later described as 'multiple shrapnel wounds') but on 3 September was transferred to No. 2 Casualty Clearing Station at Le Touquet where he died on 18 September. He was buried in Le Touquet-Paris Plage Cemetery (grave ref. II.A.29). Richard qualified for the 1914/15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal. A court of enquiry was held into the incident which resulted in multiple deaths and serious injuries. The following is taken from an incomplete set of documents in Richard's service documents. The findings of the court are missing. Court of Enquiry [documents undated but probably held September 1915] Held on an accident occurring during bomb throwing practice in the 8th Battn, Leicestershire Regt. by order of the Brigadier General AGT Bainbridge, CB, comdg. 110th Inf. Brigade. 1st Evidence. Lieut FE Breacher, 8th Battn., states: At Modicourt on the 31st Aug. 1915 about 3.30pm I was standing about 50 yards from the trench from which a platoon group of the 8th Leicestershire Regt. were receiving instruction in bomb throwing and detonating when an explosion occurred followed by a louder explosion after a few seconds interval. Immediately after the 2nd explosion I rushed to the spot and found three killed, three dying and two badly injured close by. Forty yards or so in rear of the trench from which the bombs were thrown were several (about three) injured men lying on the ground. I immediately sent for the Medical Officers of the Brigade also for the ambulance. I hand in a sketch of the trench. I gave orders for the Battn. Grenadiers to collect any explosives. 2nd Evidence. Lieut FJ Blackley, RAMC, states: I was told about 3.30pm on the 31st August 1915 that an accident occurred in connection with bomb throwing. I arrived at the spot in about 5 minutes and examined the injured men. I found five were dead and one died in about 3 minutes. I also found 8 men at a distance seriously injured. The distance varied from anything up to eight yards. One badly injured man was in the trench. The six men who were dead were all lying within a radius of six yards from the centre of the trench. They were lying in different postures. I consider that these deaths were caused by shock following numerous wounds, the great majority of which were small. 3rd Evidence. No. 8/15446 Pte CH Clarke, 8th Battn Leicestershire Regt. states: At about 3pm on the 31st August 1916, I was one of a party of 16 of the 8th Leicestershire Regiment 8 of whom were the platoon group and (8) eight of the Battalion grenadiers. The latter were preparing the bombs (Pitcher bombs) for the other men to throw. Some of the men were in the trench and some sitting down close by, the other 8 men (the group) were sitting down 4 or 5 yards behind the trench. There were about 4 boxes of live bombs close by the back of the trench about the centre. Only one box of bombs were detonated I think. There were about three different kinds of bombs in the boxes. Lieut. Baldwin called up a group leader, Lce. Corpl. Turton, and was instructing him how to use the lighter of the Pitcher bomb which he (Lce. Corpl. Turton ) had in his hand. I heard Lieut. Baldwin say ‘Look out’. Immediately afterwards I heard a violent report and saw Lieut. Baldwin fall. About 2 seconds after there was a second louder report. I threw myself on the ground flat with my face down and on getting up after about 5 seconds I saw the ground strewn with the men. I was on the left of the trench and about 5 yards from where Lieut. Baldwin was standing. I took the call ‘Look out’ to be a caution and it was on this, I flung myself down immediately after which the explosion took place. This has been customary that is, immediately before throwing to call ‘Look out.’ I noticed detonators were strewn about near the trench. 4th Evidence. No. 8/12760 Sergt. H Beeby, 8th Leicestershire Regt. 5th Evidence. No. 8/12320 Pte. F Sewell, 8th Leicestershire Regt. [KIA 22 March 1918, Arras Memorial] 6th Evidence. Lieut TC Howitt, 7th Leicestershire Regt., who was taking a squad in mechanism of bombs in the adjoining field. 7th Evidence. Captain AA Fyffe, RAMC, who gave a description of the injuries suffered by Lieut. Baldwin and others. 8th Evidence. Lieut. G Fraser, RAMC, who gave evidence of Lieut. Baldwin’s injuries. 9th Evidence. Lieut. P Hinckley, 9th Batt. Leicestershire Regt. states: I am the Bombing Officer of the 9th Battn. Leicestershire Regiment and have worked in conjunction with the late Lieut. Baldwin … He was always most careful and took every possible precaution. He knew his work thoroughly and was absoluntely reliable. The Pitcher bomb was used and was the cause of the accident, I am convinced from all enquiries I have made. In my experience I have found the method of lighting to be most satisfactory [?typing error for ‘unsatisfactory’] and I consider it a dangerous bomb to the thrower. 10th Evidence. Major WHW Young, 7th Batt. Leicestershire Regt., states: I have examined the fuze of a Pitcher bomb and in my opinion it has the following defects … [five points listed] … I have examined the fuzes, bombs, also the boxes of the bombs issued to my Battalions and can find no marks or labels showing that they have undergone inspection by the Army Inspection Dept. 11th Evidence. Lieut. C Jennings 7th Battn. Leicestershire Regt., states: I am bombing officer of my Battalion. I am of opinion that the Pitcher bomb is unsuitable as a hand grenade unless the thrower has absolute protection. It has been known to do damage at a distance up to 200 yards. [evidence continued]
Personal inscription on CWGC headstone: 'Volunteered 1914. We miss him most who loved him best.' Inscription on family headstone, Nottingham General Cemetery: 'In loving memory of Sarah Ann the beloved wife of Job Stimpson who departed this life March 25th 1887 aged 38 years. Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord. Also Percy Stimpson, son of the above, who died May 2nd 1915, aged 33 years. At Rest.' Inscription on separate headstone in front of family grave, Nottingham General Cemetery: 'In loving memory of Private REP Stimpson, No. 12697 6th Leciestershire Regt. youngest son of J & EA Stimpson who died of wounds received in action at Le Touquet Hospital Septr. 18th 1915 aged 20 years. Interred in Paris Plage Cemetery, France. We miss him most who loved him best.' Nottingham evening Post, ‘Deaths’, 3 May and 5 May 1915: ‘Stimpson. On May 2nd, Percy, eldest son of J and E A Stimpson, 96, Radcliffe-road , West Bridgford, passed away. Funeral General Cemetery, bottom chapel, Thursday, 3 o’clock.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Public Notices’, 8 and 11 May 1915: ‘Mr J Stimpson and Family wish to thank all kind friends for floral tributes and kind letters of sympathy in their sad bereavement.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Roll of Honour’, 22 September 1915: ‘Stimpson. Died of shrapnel wounds received in action September 18th, Private RE Stimpson, 8th Leicestershire Regiment, youngest son of J and EA Stimpson, Radcliffe-road, aged 20 years. From his grief stricken family.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) West Bridgford Advertiser, 25 September 1915: ‘Stimpson. Died of shrapnel wounds received in action, September 18th, Private RE Stimpson, 8th Leicester Regiment, youngest son of J and MA Stimjpson, Radcliffe-road, aged 20 years. From his grief-stricken family.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Public Notices’, 27 and 29 September 1915: ‘Mr J Stimpson and Family wish to thank their many friends for kind sympathy in their great sorrow.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Registers of Soldiers' Effects: His father, Job, was his legatee. Richard's army service record includes the form sent to the next of kin requesting details of surviving blood relatives. The form was completed on 29 April 1919. The name of the person who completed the form is indistinct but probably that of Job Stimpson, giving his address as that of his business premises at 17 Carlton Street, Nottingham. Only the names of Richard's parents (no address) have been put on the form and there is a note at the bottom of the form,‘If the above is not sufficient you can keep the plaque I don’t need a reminder that (-) (?cost) my boy. JS' Probate: Stimpson Job of 54 Priory-road West Bridgford Nottinghamshire and of 17 Carlton-street Nottingham died 27 December 1930 at 54 Priory-road Probate Nottingham 3 March William Watson Stimpson ironmonger and Eric Stowe county council clerk. Effects £10605 16s. 7d. Probate: Stimpson Emmeline Annie of 54 Priory-road West Bridgford Nottinghamshire widow died 22 April 1952 Probate Nottingham 11 June to William Watson Stimpson ironmonger and Eric Stowe local government official. Effects £418 5s. 7d.
