No.10653, Private, Albert STIFF or STEFF
Aged 30
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Albert Stiff was born in Foxearth on 15th September 1884 (Sudbury Q4-1884 4A:618), baptised in Cavendish on 4th January 1885, son of
Edward and Laura STEFF (née IVES). He can be STEFF as per some census and STIFF on his medal index card, by CWGC and his headstone. He is STEFF on the war memorial. The family are STAFF on some records 1891 census...Aged 6, he was at Church Corner, Peacocks Road, Cavendish with his father Edward STEFF [47] thatcher born Cavendish; his mother Laura [40] born Foxearth; brothers Harry E [15] thatcher born Cavendish, Arthur [12] born Foxearth; sisters Blanche [10], Ada [8] both born Foxearth, Violet [3] and Beatrice 8 months] both born Cavendish. His father died in 1899. 1901 census...The family are now STIFF. Aged 16, a maltster, Albert was in Poole Street, Cavendish with his widowed mother and sister Beatrice. 1911 census... Not found in this census but he would still have been in the Army. His mother was alone at 22 Langthorn Street, Stratford. |
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He enlisted in Stratford, London on 25th August 1905 as STIFF. He gave his age as 20 years 9 months, born Foxearth, Suffolk, and living at 2 Vicarage Road, Stratford, working for Young and Martin as a labourer in an iron foundry. He enlisted for 6 years on the colours in the Middlesex Regiment, No.3800. He was 5 feet 4 inches (162.5 cm) tall, weighed 117 lbs (58.2 kg), chest 31" to 33.5" (78.7 to 85.1 cm) with hazel eyes, brown hair, Church of England. His next of kin were - mother Laura at 2 Vicarage Road, Stratford, elder brothers Harry at 3 Major Road and Arthur (address unknown) His Great War records have not survived but his "Personal Effects" entry gives as legatees Mother-Laura, brother Arthur, sisters Blanche, Elizabeth, Violet, Beatrice and a half sister Rosalind. The battalion war diary is quite extensive for this day but to try an summarise the salient points:- They were in trenches near Cambrin. The ground between the trenches was flat, except where the Germans had exploded mines. These craters had sides up to 9 feet high, screening the German lines except for a gap of about 60 yards, One crater "ETNA" touched our lines and this side was held by us, the other side by the Germans for some months. The wire in the gap had been cut by artillery and the on the left, "B" on the right, "A" Coy in support and "C" Coy in Reserve. At 5:45 am the artillery opened fire and at 5:50 the gas was turned on for 40 minutes, the last 5minutes combined with smoke. At 6:30 am the assault started, the morning being very still, the gas hung about and was inclined to come back which hampered the leading platoons. 16 platoon "D" Coy and 5 platoon, "B" Coy advanced and succeeded in reaching the German front trench. On the appearance of the assaulting parties the Germans opened heavy machine gun and shrapnel fire. One more platoon of "B" Coy succeeded in crossing the fir trench but were unable to reach the German trenches and support the leading platoons. The remaining platoons owing tothe heaviness of the fire were unable to cross the fire trench. "A" Coy endeavoured to cross but were also unable to make any headway. Our machine guns came into action to support the advance but could make no impression on the enemy fire. The supporting batteries fired rapid shrapnel but were hampered by the closeness of the 2 lines. As no advance was possible the platoon in front returned to our line and further attempt was abandoned. Of the two platoons that reached the German trench, 11 returned in the evening. Lt Bullough was seen to fall on the German wire and Lt. Gillespie on the German parapet. Sgt McClure and about ten men of 5 platoon were seen to jump into the German trenches, the remainder of these two platoons were wiped out.Casualties recorded were, officers, 8 killed, 2 missing believed dead and 5 wounded, other ranks 315. CWGC records show 161 died, 115 buried in Cambrin. 42 have no known grave and are named on the Loos Memorial.
photo: Commonwealth War Graves Commission click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |
