Herbert Jenkins Stidwill

2^nd Lieutenant, Royal Berkshire Regiment

Herbert Jenkins Stidwill was born on 26 October 1885 at 36 Rockmount Road, Upper Norwood in Surrey and attended Alleyn's for just seven months from January until July 1899. He was the son of Philip Stidwill, who was a carpenter and Harriett Jenkins, his second wife. Several addresses have been found for Herbert. When he entered Alleyn's in 1899 he lived at 9 Lewes Road in Bromley, in 1891 he was at 8 Sundridge Avenue, while his last known address was 9 Amesbury Road, Bickley, Kent. He chose teaching as a career and he has been found on the 1911 census as a School Master at Brewood Grammar School in Staffordshire. After Brewood School he gained an Arts Diploma from the University of London in 1912. While teaching at Cranbrook School in Kent he gained his B.A degree in 1913.

He joined the war effort in 1914 as part of the Royal Berkshire Regiment as a 2^nd Lieutenant after being granted a commission. During his time with the Berkshire, Herbert served overseas on the Western Front and was involved in major British offensive on the Somme in the summer of 1916. The Berkshire Regiment saw action during the second phase of this offensive which included operations at Delville Wood and Pozieres in July. Unfortunately, it was during this time that Herbert was killed in action on July 22^nd 1916. He is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, and also on the memorial at St George's Church in Bickley.

With thanks to Herbert's Great Niece, Elizabeth Greenwood, and to Ann Fox of the Bromley War Memorial Project www.bromleywarmemorial.org.uk for the information they provided.