Commemorated: | |||
| 1. Grave: | Etaples Military Cemetery | XVII. E. 23. | |
| 2. Book: | The (1921) Masonic Roll of Honour 1914-1918 | Pg.135 | |
| 3. Memorial: | The (1940) Scroll - WW1 Roll of Honour | 51D GQS | |
Awards & Titles: | Distinguished Service Order Mentioned in Despatches Queen's South Africa Medal & 3 Clasps Chevalier Legion D'Honneur | ||
Early Life :
Lt.-Col. Thomas Robert Alexander Stannus was born on 29th September, 1870, son of James John and Rose Mary Stannus, of The Elms, Portarlington, Queen's Co. He married Elizabeth Graydon Smith, daughter of Captain John Graydon Smith, on 5th March, 1895.Family Details:
Children: Edris Stannus, James Gordon Dawson Stannus, Rose Thelma Stannus, Graydon Grant Harvey Trevor Stannus
Parents: James John Stannus, Rose Mary Armstrong
Grandchildren: Mary Elizabeth Anna Stannus, John Paul James, Thomas James Graydon Stannus
Grandparents: Catherine Sophia Hamilton, Thomas Stannus, John Armstrong
Great grandchildren: Sarah-Louise Edris James, MORE
Great-grandparents: Caroline Hamilton, Robert Hamilton, Captain Thomas Stannus
He is listed in The Peerage.
Education & Career :
Chatham House School, Ramsgate, Kent
He held the office of Justice of the Peace (J.P.) for County Antrim.
He rode with the Kildare.
He lived at The Elms, Portarlington, County Laois, Ireland. He lived at Carlingford, County Louth, Ireland
Service Life:
Campaigns:
- The Second Anglo-Boer War 1899-1902, South Africa.
- The First World War 1914-1918, World-wide.
| Unit / Ship / Est.: 4/Leinster Regiment |
| Action : The Battle of Messines 1917 and associated actions |
7 June - 11 July 1917. The plan at Messines was to blow up 19 mines in what was the largest man made explosion before Hiroshima, and utterly destroy the German front line along the Messines Ridge. The effect was to "liquify" the ground and create a mini earthquake, which coupled with the largest artillery preparation thus far of over 3 million shells would stun the defenders into submission. The plan largely worked and was initially very successful although the Germans did re-group and opportunities to develop the attack were lost. Casualties in this victory were 25,000.
Thomas Robert Alexander Stannus fought in the Boer War between 1899 and 1901, where he was severely wounded.
Thomas Robert Alexander Stannus fought in the Boer War between 1899 and 1901, where he was severely wounded. He fought in the First World War.1 He was decorated with the award of Chevalier, Legion d'Honneur.
Citations & Commemorations :
He was decorated with the award of Companion, Distinguished Service Order (D.S.O.) in 1917:"For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in commanding his battalion.Although severely wounded, and thereby unluckily precluded from leading them to the attack, his careful supervision and preliminary preparations undoubtedly ensured the success which his men attained. His adjutant was wounded at the same moment, but Lieut.-Colonel Stannus declined all aid until the other officer bad been attended to. He had previously done splendid work when acting as O.C., on one occasion frustrating a raid with great loss to the enemy, entirely through his personal foresight and grasp of the situation."
Masonic :
| Type | Lodge Name and No. | Province/District : |
|---|---|---|
| Mother : | Anglo-Colonial No. 3175 E.C. | London |
Initiated | Passed | Raised |
28th November 1910 | - | - |
Listed as a Major in the Army when he was initiated into Anglo Colonial Lodge in 1910. He advanced no further than that of Entered Apprentice. Fees paid, endorsed W.S. from 1914. Endorsed "Died of wounds 1917."
Source :
The project globally acknowledges the following as sources of information for research across the whole database:
- The Commonwealth War Graves Commission
- The (UK) National Archives
- Ancestry.co.uk - Genealogy, Family Trees & Family History online
- ugle.org.uk - The records of the United Grand Lodge of England including the Library and Museum of Freemasonry
Additional Source:
- Founder Researchers : Paul Masters & Mike McCarthy
- Researcher : Bruce Littley