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Private Edward Eric STURGES (37772)
10th (Service) Battalion King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry Date of birth: 6th May 1888 Date of death: 25th September 1916 Killed in action aged 28 Commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial Panel and Face 11C and 12A
Edward Eric Sturges was born at Chelsea in London on the 6th of May 1888 the eldest son of Edward Murray Sturges, a gentleman farmer, and Eliza Rhoda (nee Grice) Sturges of Barkham Square, Wokingham in Berkshire. He was christened at Wokingham on the 17th of June 1888. He was educated at Bigshotte Rayles School in Wokingham and at Winchester College from 1902 to July 1903. He went on to Lancing College where he was in Heads House from September 1903 to April 1906. On leaving school he became a Railway Engineer. Following the outbreak of war he enlisted as a Private in the Royal Engineers and was posted to 24th Signal Company, based at Portslade Camp in Sussex where he rose to the rank of Lance Corporal. He applied for a commission in the 3rd (Reserve) Battalion Royal Berkshire Regiment (Special Reserve of Officers) on the 28th of April 1915 in an application which was supported by Bernard Tower, former Head Master of Lancing College and by Lieutenant Colonel F.G. Barker, Commanding Officer, 3rd Battalion Royal Berkshire Regiment. At a medical examination, which took place at Portslade on the 18th of May 1915, it was recorded that he was five feet ten inches tall and that he weighed 148lbs. He was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant on probation in the 3rd Battalion Royal Berkshire Regiment on the 11th of June 1915. He joined his battalion where his level of attainment during training proved to fall short of the standard required and a confidential report was compiled regarding his suitability as an officer in the regiment. Letter dated the 15th of January 1916 from Lieutenant F.G. Barker Royal Berkshire Regiment to the War Office: - "With regret I must agree with the 2 reports of O.C. Fort Pulbrook that this officer will never be an efficient one. I have taken a great deal of trouble over him as I have known him all his life. He served 9 months in the ranks and has been with me since last June and can hardly drill a squad. I have not a word to say against his conduct or behaviour. He simply cannot grasp the work." He underwent an interview where he obtained leave to apply for a commission in another unit. In a letter dated the 15th of February 1916 he wrote: - "Sir, I have the honour to report that after my interview with Brigadier General LaMotte I obtained leave from Lt Col F.G. Barker to write to the 7th Reserve Batt Royal Naval Division about a transfer to that Corps. I received a reply from the Adjutant that he would do what he could in the matter, but that no more commissions were being granted until further orders. I enclose two communications I have received from the Adjutant of the Royal Naval Divn." Your obedient servant 2nd Lieut. E.E. Sturges He attached a letter dated the 13th of February 1916: - 7th Reserve Battalion, Royal Naval Division, Blandford Camp Dorset "Dear Sturges I did receive your second letter safely. I have held the answer back owing to the fact that recruiting for the R.N.D. has ceased and no more commissions are being given until further orders. We are waiting to see what the outcome of it will be. I have spoken to my C.O. who knew your brother well and I think he will help you at a later date if the R.N.D. is re-opened." J.P.G. Mascall On the 17th of February 1916, Lieutenant Colonel Barker wrote to the War Office once again: - "This officer requests to be permitted to resign his commission. He considers he would be of more use to his country as a private soldier." In a letter dated the 10th of April 1916 Major General L.S. Robb, Commander in Chief, Southern Command wrote: - "Sir, With reference to your No. 107866, dated 23rd March 1916. I am directed to inform you that in view of the unsatisfactory report on Second Lieutenant (on probation) E.E. Sturges, 3rd Battalion Royal Berkshire Regiment, his further retention in the service cannot be permitted. He will, therefore, relinquish his commission in the Special Reserve of Officers, and I am to request that he be informed. The necessary notification will appear in an early Gazette." He resigned his commission on the 18th of April 1916 and re-enlisted at Pontefract as Private 26433 in the York and Lancaster Regiment, but transferred to the King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry later that summer. On the 16th of September 1916 the 10th Battalion King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry had been in close support of the 15th Battalion Durham Light Infantry in their attack on Gueudecourt on the Somme. They had suffered heavily from a barrage which the German artillery had laid down to prevent support troops moving forward and, by the end of the day, had sustained casualties of one hundred and eighty five officers and men killed, wounded or missing. On the 25th of September they returned to the attack at Gueudecourt and on this occasion they were one of the assaulting battalions of the Brigade, being on the left of the attack with their first objective being a German trench in front of "Gird Trench" which was to be their second objective. Soon after they attacked they were held up in front of Gird Trench and were forced to take cover in a line of shell holes in front of the German positions. The supporting battalions soon came to their assistance and the first objective was taken. Edward Sturges was killed during this attack. "Gird Trench" fell to the 15th Battalion Durham Light Infantry the following morning with the capture of some four hundred enemy prisoners. He is commemorated on the war memorial at Winchester College, on the memorial at Arborfield Cross, Berkshire and on a plaque on the north wall of St James’ Church, Barkham in Berkshire.

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