1st south african infantry

[hadham]

Im researching pte George Rolfe Stubbing born hertfordshire, but joined the 1st S.African infantry, and died 10 April 1918, named on Menin gate.

Any one know where the 1st S.A were on or around that date?

cheers.

Richard.

[ian turner]

They were in the 9th (Scottish) Division at that time - and had been railed up from the Somme to Flanders at the beginning of the month. They were in the defensive actions facing the German Spring Offensive of 1918, around Kemmel and Wytschaete. The History of the 9th by Major Ewing and The South Africans in the War by John Buchan will give you the detail.

[hadham]

Thanks for that ian, the old lady im helping will be most pleased to have a little info on her grandfather. Cheers.

[eltoro1960]

Richard hopefully you will be able to read these

John

[eltoro1960]

Rest to follow later going for dinner folks.

[eltoro1960]

[hadham]

thank you so much for that> an old lady had visited out village museum with a history group,but couldnt go for village walk as she was recovering from broken hip, i got chatting,and told her about a book id done last year on the men from my village of much hadham who died in ww1, she said she had been wondering seveal times recently about this family member of hers who had died, but know nothing other than his name~ I hae phoned her with this info, and will be posted to her on monday~ but she is ever so thankfull, for the chance meating, what ive discovered for her, and also to those of you on this forum who have posted the info.... So Many thanks from me and especially Her.

[beegeer]

Hi,

I am researching my Great Uncle Alfred Harold Harding, Private, S/N 16165, 1st Regiment, South African Infantry.

He was killed on 24/3/1918 and has a memorial at Pozieres.

I have kind of gleaned some info which intimates that he was fighting at Marrières Wood on that day.

Can anyone confirm this?

And if that is so, why was he not buried there, it is some distance to Pozieres.........?

Thank you.

[ian turner]

BG - I cannot answer regarding the location of the action on this day, but your Gt Uncle is only commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial - he has no known grave. Thus it is possible that he was killed in an action some way from Pozieres, but that memorial is the one dedicated to those missing from various surrounding battlefields.

At this time the SA regiments were part of the 9th (Scottish) Division who were indeed deployed on the Somme until the end of March, when they were transferred to the Ypres area. You can learn of the 9th's exploits, and the South Africans in particular, from the books mentioned above.

[dedesomme]

Bonjour,

Some details on this page of the official website of Delville Wood (South African Memorial)

http://delvillewood.com/cemeteries/poziere...201st%20SAI.htm

Cordialement

Dédé

[Aston]

Hello

I am interested in learning more about George Rolfe Stubbing's children.   I have a family tree where George Rolfe Stubbing is not shown as having been married or had children.  It would be very special if he did have children.   I remember his sister, Ethel Stubbing, who died in 1963.  My maiden name is Stubbing

[PRC]

Hi @Aston and welcome to the forum.

Unfortunately @hadham hasn't visited the forum since 2015. If he still has access to the e-mail that he registered his account then hopefully tagging him will send an alert.

The UK National Probate Calendar also has an entry for him him in 1919 which can be used to get a copy of his will - believe it's still currently available for £1.50. What you will get is a pdf of variable quality that you can download from their site after a short wait. Unfortunately they have recently changed their website and as far as I can see it's now impossible to link to the relevant details. Their indexing has also gone to pot as it shows no returns for Stubbing, but if I search for Stubbs it come up. Here's what the basic calendar entry says:-

Image courtesy https://probatesearch.service.gov.uk/

If he had a wife and children you would expect the will to make provision for them.

Hope that helps,
Peter

[Aston]

Hello Peter 

Many thanks for your message and for the information you have provided.   I will see if I can make any headway with the UK National Probate Calendar - it would be interesting to have a copy of the full will.   I also found the information provided in this thread very interesting.   I had recently printed out a copy of the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial Commemoration of George Rolfe Stubbing by The Commonwealth War Graves Commission.  It's very humbling reflecting on their sacrifices.

Thank you again

Penelope