Link 26th October 1917 Link  (Go to description of the Houthulst Forest attack)  

 

Henry Stobbs 1-4th Bn NF

2nd-Lieutenant Henry Stobbs

1891-1917

1/4th Bn., Northumberland Fusiliers

Who died on the 26th October 1917 Age 26 yrs.

(Henry gave his life on the 26th October 1917, in the 50th Division's attack on the German positions in the Houthulst Forest. Goto this LINK for more details of that day).

Printed in the St Georges Gazette. 1918

2nd -Lieut. Henry Stobbs was the eldest son of Mr William Stobbs, of Pryse House. St. Johns Chapel, Weardale, Co. Durham. He enlisted in the _th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry, in September 1914, and served with his unit in France for 18 months.

He returned home, and after four months instruction in an Officers' Cadet Battalion he was given a commission in the N.F. T.F. (Northumberland Fusiliers Territorial Force), on the 1st August 1917. After passing some time with his Reserve Unit he went to the Western Front on the 18th September, 1917 (With the 1/4th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers). He was reported missing on the 26th October.

His Commanding Officer has written to his father stating that he fearshe was killed. Much regret is felt both at home and abroad at his early demise. Lieut. Stobbs was in his 26th year.

Printed in the St Georges Gazette. 1918

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Henry's father, William Stobbs, was head teacher at Lanehead School in Upper Weardale.

Henry was educated, either at Lanehead School, or at St Johns Chapel, Weardale, and had one sister.

Henry gave his life on the 26th October 1917, in the 50th Division's attack on the German positions in the Houthulst Forest. Goto this LINK for more details of that day.

He is buried at the Poelcapelle British Cemetary

  2nd-Lieutenant Henry Stobbs

 

 

 

Lee and Henry

My grateful thanks go to Lee McGuire (15yrs) for sending me this fantastic photo of his Great Grandfather's cousin Henry Stobbs. Lee is very keen on Great War history andhas been to visit Henry this year in Belgium. How fabulous that Henry's sacrifice is still being remembered three generations on.

lee has also found Henry/Harry's name on his local memorial, St John's Chapel.

Mamorial at St John's Chapel   Inscription

If anybody has any more information on Henry, Lee and I would love to hear from you.

Thanks again Lee.

Guy

 

 

Link to Commonwealth Wargraves commission

        NFbadge2.jpg (1650 bytes)  Click here for  7th NFshort history of the Regiment,  see personalities and links to detailed accounts of important actions.

Guy Smith     e mail:    guy@trenchmap.com

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