'Stockwell's Force' Flying Column

[Mark Hone]

In preparation for a talk I'm giving later in the year about Lancashire Fusilier battalions at the end of the war, does anyone have any details about the flying column dubbed 'Stockwell's Force'?

[Muerrisch]

Yes.

Captain Clifton Inglis Stockwell. Clifton Stockwell, eldest son of Colonel [later Major General] CM Stockwell, Lincolnshire Regiment, was born 27 September 1879 and educated at Haileybury from September 1893 to July 1897. He was placed in Edmonstone House and was a ‘Modern’, as opposed to ‘Classical’, which suggests that he was of average academic ability. His best sports were rugger [where he received silver stars in his cap for his activities as a back] and swimming. He went to RMC and was commissioned 11 February 1899 and joined 2RWF, serving in China. Clifton became Lieutenant 11 July 1901 and continued with 2RWF in India. The formal illustration is from a group photograph taken at Agra December 1905. On his promotion to Captain 12 January 1907 he went to 1RWF at Aldershot and married Hilda Rose Westmoreland the next year. Stockwell arrived unbidden and unexpected at 2RWF on 15 September 1914 near Venizel. TWTIK noted ‘everyone surprised’. His presence [he was never a shrinking violet] must have been both a major asset and embarrassment to his Commanding Officer until a vacancy commensurate with his seniority occurred by wastage. Meantime he commanded detachments of D Company as a supernumerary He succeeded to A Company when Geiger fell sick with appendicitis on 8 October, and commanded it with distinction, whilst not endearing himself to Frank Richards and others. Richards described him [OSND] variously as ‘cool as a cucumber’, ‘plenty of guts’ and ‘a first class bully’. His stance as martinet and brusque disclipinarian was not always maintained, as the accompanying photograph of pre-war beach polo shows, Stockwell handicapped by riding his donkey facing the tail end. His inclination to produce a pistol and threaten his own men earned him the sobriquet ‘Buffalo Bill’, but he also earned a Mention in Despatches for this period of his career. Stockwell played the primary rôle [together with MS Richardson [qv]] in the events of the Christmas Truce, 1914. Fortunately Stockwell had reasonable command of the German language and all was sweetness and light for a few hours. ‘I did not like to take the [German] beer without giving something in exchange, and I suddenly had a brainwave. We had lots of plum puddings, so I sent for one and formally presented it to him in exchange for the beer. He then called out ‘Waiter’, and a German private whipped out six glasses and two bottles of beer, and with much bowing and saluting we solemnly drank it’. He went to 1RWF 30 March 1915 thus 2RWF lost ‘one of its strongest personalities’ [TWTIK]. His diary, quoted at length in RRRWF, gives valuable insights into the early conduct of the war, and into his character. Clifton Stockwell’s subsequent career was a glittering success. The London Gazette citation for his DSO 6 September 1915 reads:

‘For conspicuous gallantry and ability at Festubert on 16 May 1915, when he led his company in an attack on the German trenches. After his company had lost heavily he reorganised it, collected men of other units and made two further successful advances. It was largely due to his gallant and capable leading that the troops succeeded in establishing the line so far forward’.

He was promoted to Major 1 September 1915 and became Brigade Major of 59 Infantry Brigade before becoming a Temporary Lieutenant Colonel 17 September 1915 and then returning as Commanding Officer to 1RWF in February 1916. ‘Buffalo Bill’ commanded his battalion for eight months and their actions included those in the cauldron of the Somme: Fricourt [1 July], Triangle Trench [4 July], Bazentin Le Petit [14 July], Delville Wood [27 August] and Givenchy [3 September]. His next appointment was as Temporary Brigadier commanding 164 Infantry Brigade which he led from 18 September 1916 until two days before the Armistice when he went to command an independent column ‘Stockwell’s Force’. His war service was rewarded by a Brevet Lieutenant Colonelcy on 1 January 1917, together with CB [1919], CMG [1919], DSO, Croix de Guerre France [1920] and no fewer than eight Mentions in Despatches.

His post war career included Staff College 1919 and Ireland with 2RWF and then he became a Brevet Colonel 1 January 1923, substantive Lieutenant Colonel 12 May 1924 and substantive Colonel 1 January 1927. He commanded 2RWF for a long period in the mid 1920s which included London Public Duties and Rhine Army. His first wife died 15 June 1927. Stockwell retired due to ill health in 1932 after a prolonged period in senior appointments in India but returned at the age of 61 as Garrison Commander, Shetlands, 1941 to 1942 with the rank of Brigadier. His club was the Naval and Military, and his hobbies were hunting and tennis. Stockwell retired again in 1942, married Madeleine, widow of Lieutenant Colonel WC Critchley-Salmonson, and lived until 4 December 1953. Two successive later generations of Stockwells have reached senior rank in the Regiment. His regimental obituary concludes ‘his life and service will be an inspiration to succeeding generations of the Regiment to which he was so proud to belong’. No PRO folder is available.

[Mark Hone]

Grumpy, Thanks very much. I didn't tumble that it was THAT Stockwell, the infamous 'Buffalo Bill'!

[Steven Broomfield]

There's a mention of Stockwell's Force in the History of the 55th Division (Rev J O Coop, DSO, TD, MA).

Seems to have been set up about 25.10.18, and consisted of:

HQ 164 bde

C Sdn, King Edwards Horse

A Coy, VII Corps Cyclist Battn

A Battery, 275 bde, RFA

2/7 Lancs Fus

A Coy, 55 Battn, MGC

423 Field Coy, RE (less bridging eqpt)

One Sect, 2/1 W Lancs Field Amb

Plus Cable det, Wireless Det, DAC Det, Div Train Det

PM me an e-mail address and I'll scan it at the weekend for you, if you like

[Muerrisch]

and for me please, Mr. B.

Collateral on B Bill.