Commemorated: | |||
| 1. Grave: | Thaba Tshwane (Old No. 1 Military Cemetery) | C.11 Pretoria | |
| 2. Book: | The (1921) Masonic Roll of Honour 1914-1918 | Pg.136 | |
| 3. Memorial: | The (1940) Scroll - WW1 Roll of Honour | 21A GQS | |
| 4. Memorial: | Liverpool Masonic Hall War Memorial | Col.4. Hope St. | |
Awards & Titles: | 1914-15 Star British War Medal Victory Medal | ||
Early Life :
The biography which forms the legend below of H.R. Stump has been researched and written by Geoff Cuthill of the Province of West Lancashire, to whom this project is grateful:"Henry was born at Cheltenham in 1876 to John Henry and Emily Stump, and baptised on 27 February of that year at the parish Church. The family appear on the 1881 Census Return at 6 Naunton Terrace, Cheltenham. Head of the family is John Henry Stump, a 30 year old coachman, his wife Emily age 30, and children Florence 8 William 6, Henry 5, Ellen 2 and Joseph 6 month. John was born in Mangotsfield, Gloucestershire, while all others are born in Cheltenham. The next census of 1891 shows the family at 1 Denmark Villas, John employed as a Stud Groom, age 38, Emily 40, and Florence age 18, assisting in the business. The only other child present is John H age 6. John was at the time of the census working at the stables at South Park, Cowley near Cheltenham."
"1901 shows the family at Dyer’s House, Itton, near Chepstow, Monmouthshire, John is 50, Emily 48, and also present are daughters Ellen 22 and Ethel age 5, and in 1911 John, Emily and Ethel are all residing there. It is not known when Henry arrived in South Africa, but passenger lists show him arriving back in England when he arrives from Durban aboard the Union Castle Line vessel “Saxon” on 20 May 1905, part of a contingent of South African policemen. On the turn of the century a recruitment drive had taken place throughout the United Kingdom for the South African Constabulary, and this could be when Henry decided to try his luck with them. Part of the requirement was the ability to shoot, and ride a horse, both of which Henry would have learnt at an early age, with his father working with horses".
Service Life:
Campaigns:
- The First World War 1914-1918, World-wide.
| Unit / Ship / Est.: South African Mounted Rifles |
| Action : Accident |
Accidents were a minor factor in the casualty list. Our definition is deaths resulting from activities that were not directly associated with 'active service'. We have excluded Naval Accidents which are seperately identified because of their numbers and impact. Many accidents involved the aviators, operating at the the limits of technology.
Detail :
"On the 1915 Pembroke Lodge Provincial return sheet it says H. R. Stump deceased, while the Roll of Honour Book gives rank as Private, the Scroll of Honour gives the spelling as Stamp. Looking at the C.W.G.C. Debt of Honour Register, there is no totally positive match, however, a comparison with the South African records show that the 1602 H.H. Stump, recorded by the C.W.G.C., was incorrect, and should have been, Rifleman Henry R Stump, No.1602, 4th Regiment, South African Mounted Rifles.
The South African Mounted Rifles consisted of five Regiments, formed as a permanent force of Military Constabulary, by an amalgamation of the Cape Mounted Police, Cape Mounted Rifles, Natal Police, and the Transvaal Police. The 4th Regiment, to which Henry was a member, was drawn mainly from the Transvaal Police, and based at Roberts Heights, just outside Pretoria. The records show that Henry attested, and was immediately appointed to the 4th Regiment on 8th August, 1914, and took part in the invasion and capture of German South West Africa shortly after. His medal entitlement consisted of the 1914/15 Star, British War Medal, and the bi-lingual Victory Medal.
Henry belonged to “A” Squadron, and is recorded as “Died accidentally, fractured skull and ribs, and liver punctured while participating in Regimental sports at Roberts Heights. He was performing Individual Lemon Cutting when his horse appeared to stumble and fall, trapping him underneath. He was killed instantly.” However another explanation has “after being thrown from his horse, was rushed to the Camp Hospital at Roberts Heights, suffering from a fractured skull and ribs, with his liver being punctured. Although transferred to Pretoria Hospital, nothing could be done to save his life, and he died in the hospital on 26 February 1915. His next-of-kin are recorded as being Mr J Stump, Dyer House, Cheltenham, England. This was his father John, who at the time of the last census was age 58, living with wife Emily 58, and their daughter Ethel 15. The couple had been married thirty nine years, and had seven children, six alive.
Henry, wrongly identified as H H Stump, and not H.R., now lies in Grave C. 11. at Roberts Heights, now known as Thaba Tshwane (Old No. 1 Military Cemetery) Near Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa. He is also commemorated on the Liverpool Masonic Hall Memorial, Hope Street, the Scroll of Honour inside Freemasons’ Hall, London, and in the Roll of Honour Book, United Grand Lodge, 1921."
See also: South African War Graves Project.
Masonic :
| Type | Lodge Name and No. | Province/District : |
|---|---|---|
| Mother : | Pembroke No. 1299 E.C. | West Lancashire |
Initiated | Passed | Raised |
23rd August 1905 | 21st September 1905 | 14th June 1911 |
In the 1921 roll and in the 1887-1909 ledger Henry is recorded as H.R. Stump, but the 1933 scroll and 1910-1921 ledger it is changed to Stamp, which has led in the past to this soldier being incorrectly referred to as H.R. Stamp.
"Henry Richard Stump initiated into Pembroke Lodge No 1299, alongside Francis J Simmonds of Cadishead, Manchester who was a fellow Corporal in the Cape Police, on the 23 August 1905, at the Bears Paw Hotel, Lord Street, Liverpool. Henry was described as being 28 years of age, residing at Ilton, Chepstow, Monmouthshire, his proposer being Robert Duff, seconded by George Alexander Murray. Henry and Francis where both passed to the Second Degree on the 21 September 1905, and their Second Degree Certificates issued on 11 October 1905. Henry was raised to the degree of Master Mason on the 14 June 1911 at Liverpool, courtesy of the William Fleetwood Lodge No 2814, with his Grand Lodge Certificate issued 9 September 1911. His friend, Francis was raised as a Master Mason in Pembroke Lodge on 18 January 1912."
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