Family :

Service Life:

Campaigns:

• The First World War 1914-1918, World-wide.

22 April - 25 May 1915. On the 22nd April 1915 the Germans used poison gas at Ypres. This was the first 'official' use of gas and took the Allies by surprise. After initial success capitalising on the confusion and horror of this weapon, a heroic stand, initially by the Canadians and then supported by British and Indian Battalions, held the German advance. However it became clear that the Germans had achieved a tactical advantage and eventually the British were forced to retire to more a more defendable perimeter closer to Ypres. These positions were on the last ridges before Ypres and their loss would have resulted in the loss of the town and possibly open the Channel coast to German occupation with disastrous consequences for the re-supply of the BEF.

Detail :

Newspaper Clipping - Source unknown : "2nd LIEUTENANT CHARLES HENRY STEAD, THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE'S OWN (MIDDLESEX REGIMENT), eldest son of Charles Henry Stead, was born in London on the 15th May. 1876. He was educated privately, and in July, 1893, enlisted in the Middlesex Regiment, with which he served for twenty-one years, rising through the various non-commissioned ranks to that of Colour-Sergeant in 1909, and receiving the Good Conduct Medal. In 1912 he became Acting Sergeant-Major to the 8th Battalion (Territorial) of his Regiment, and had passed the class of Instruction for Mounted Infantry, Signalling, Musketry and Advanced Course at Hythe. He had also obtained a 1st Class Certificate of Education, and was a fine gymnast. In April, 1915, he received a commission as 2nd Lieutenant in the Middlesex Regiment, and for active service was attached to the 8th Battalion. He was killed in action at Ypres on 25th April, 1915, and was buried at Zonnebeke. the Officer commanding the 8th Battalion Middlesex Regiment wrote:

"It seems so hard that after having obtained his life's ambition by being granted a commission by His Majesty that he should have lived such a very short time to enjoy the honour conferred upon him. You will, however, be glad to hear that he died nobly with his men. The enemy capture a trench last night from the Battalion in front by use of this poisonous gas, but 'A' Company, with with 'B' was in support, could not allow this, so made a very brilliant counter-attach which was succesful, and the enemy were driven out of the trench again. Unfortunately, however, the losses were very great, and your poor husband was amongst the killed. Ever since your husband has been in the his Battalion I have had the highest opinion of his work, keenness and ability."

Masonic :

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