Harold William Stammers – Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry, 6th Battalion

Corporal Harold William Stammers – Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry, 6^th Battalion

Early Life and Family Background

Harold William Stammers

Frederick William Stammers and Lilian Sarah Greenfield
marriage certificate
St Mary’s Church, Church Road, Battersea, Wandsworth, London

Harold William Stammers was born in 1889 at Blackfriars, London, the son of Frederick William Stammers and Lilian Sarah Greenfield, who were married in 1887 at St Mary’s Church, Church Road, Battersea, Wandsworth, London.

1891 Census

The 1891 Census records the Stammers family residing at 39 Kathleen Street, Battersea. Frederick William Stammers, aged 25 and born in London, was employed as a Civil Service Writer, while his wife Lilian S., aged 24 and born in Hampshire, managed the household. Their children were Harold W. (2) and Mabel L. (1).

1911 Census

By the time of the 1911 Census, the family were living at 8 Heythorp Street, Southfields. Frederick William Stammers, aged 45, now recorded his place of birth as Chester, and was employed as a Civil Service Second Division Clerk. His wife Lilian Sarah, aged 44, now recorded her place of birth as London. Their children were Harold William (22), employed as a Legal Shorthand Writer; Mabel Lillian (21); Archer Clifton (19), a Shorthand Writer’s Assistant; Bernard Frederick (9), attending school; and Terrence Keith (6).

Marriage

Harold William Stammers and Flora Annie Smith
marriage certificate
St Barnabas’ Church, Merton Road, Lavenham, Wandsworth

In October 1914, Harold William Stammers married Flora Annie Smith at St Barnabas’ Church, Merton Road, Lavenham, Wandsworth. The marriage register records that Flora Annie Smith was from Southend, Mumbles.

Military Service

Harold William Stammers enlisted at St Paul’s Churchyard, London, to serve with the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry, 6^th Battalion. Following his wedding, he rejoined his unit at Aldershot, having been granted only 36 hours’ leave before returning to duty.

By August 1916, the 6^th Battalion, Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry was serving on the Somme Front as part of 43^rd Infantry Brigade, 14^th (Light) Division. The battalion had already seen heavy fighting in the brutal struggle for Delville Wood and Longueval, one of the most fiercely contested sectors of the Somme offensive.

During mid-August, the battalion was engaged in holding and consolidating trench positions, carrying out reliefs, and improving defences under near-constant German artillery fire. The devastated terrain around Delville Wood offered little protection, and casualties were sustained daily from shellfire, snipers, and trench mortars, even in periods between major attacks.

Death and Burial

On 18^th August 1916, while the battalion was holding positions near Longueval, Corporal Harold William Stammers was killed in action. His death occurred during this period of sustained bombardment and attritional fighting, when losses were heavy despite the absence of a major offensive operation that day.

Army Registers of Soldiers’ Effects

Harold William Stammers
Delville Wood Cemetery, Longueval, France
credit - findagrave

According to the Army Registers of Soldiers’ Effects, he was buried at Delville Wood Cemetery, Longueval, France, placing him among those who fell during one of the most harrowing phases of the Battle of the Somme.

South Wales Daily Post

An article reporting his death was published in the South Wales Daily Post in August 1916, bringing news of his loss back to Wales.