Stockwell War Memorial

Friends of Stockwell War Memorial & Gardens

Brothers

Herbert Malcolm Stockton

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H. M. Stockton
Service no. 49206
Gunner, Royal Field Artillery, “B” Bty.
Killed in action on 11 April 1917, aged about 21
Remembered at Feuchy Chapel British Cemetery, Wancourt, Pas de Calais, France

Brother of Harold P. Stockton

National Roll of the Great War 1914-1918

STOCKTON, H[arold]., Gunner, R.F.A.
He volunteered in February 1915, and in the same year was drafted to France, where he did excellent work as a gunner in the Armentières sector. He was severely wounded in action during an engagement, and subsequently succumbed to his injuries in 1915, and was burried at Bailleul. He was entitled to the 1914-1915 Star, and the General Service and Victory Medals.
“He joined the great white company of valiant souls.”
20, Rumsey Road, Stockwell, S.W.9.

STOCKTON, H[erbert]. M. S., Gunner, R.F.A.
He volunteered in February 1915, and in the same year was drafted to France. During his service overseas he did good work as a gunner in many engagements, including that at Armentières. He gave his life for King and Country early in 1916, and was entitled to the 1914-15 Star, and the General Service and Victory Medals.
“The path of duty was the way to glory.”
20, Rumsey Road, Stockwell, S.W.9.
British Army WWI Service Records 1914-1920
Three Stockton brothers, Alfred, Herbert and Harold, signed up for the war effort, but only Alfred survived. His records are in the archive (those for Herbert and Harold were destroyed).

Alfred Leonard Stockton, a gas fitter, was 22 when he enlisted on 3 September 1914. He was just over 6 feet, weighed over 11 stone, with a fair complexion, grey eyes and light brown hair. He wore a moustache. We know this fact because, after returning to London after the death of his mother in 1916, he failed to return to his battalion on time. The police were contacted and issued a description.

Information from the censuses

In 1911 the Stockton brothers were living in four rooms at 39 Electric Avenue, Brixton (they moved to Rumsey Road later). Harold P. Stockton, 24, was a butcher shop assistant, born in Finchley, north London. Alfred Leonard Stockton, 18, was a gas engineer, born in Stockwell. Herbert Malcolm Stockton, 16, was an apprentice brass finisher, born in Brixton. Their parents, Arthur Stockton, 57, a stationer from St. Luke’s, and Clara F. Stockton, 54, from Thornby, Northamptonshire, had six children, the others being Gladys R. D. Stockton, 21, a typist born in Stockwell, Frank J. E. Stockton, 10. An older son had left home. In 1901 the family lived at 68, Solon Road.

Joseph Charles Smale

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J. C. Smale
Service no. G/2820
Private, Queen’s Own (Royal West Kent Regiment), “C” Coy., 8th Batallion
Died of wounds age 24 on 22 January 1916
CWGC: “Son of Martha Tucker (formerly Smale), and the late William James Smale, of 3 Kenchester Street, South Lambeth, London.”
Remembered at Boulogne Eastern Cemetery, France

Brother of William Herbert Smale

Information from the censuses

In 1911 Joseph Smale, 19, was a laundry foreman. He lived with his mother Martha Tucker, 48, stepfather George Tucker, 50, and siblings at 3 Kenchester Street, South Lambeth (roughly, behind the Tate Library). George Tucker, from Clapham, worked in a laundry. He had been married to Martha for six years – they had a son, Frederick Tucker, 6. Four of Martha’s other children lived in the household: William Smale, 25, a soapmaker; Lilian Smale, 23, a packer in a laundry; Thomas Smale, 21, a manager in a cigarette factory; Joseph; Edward Smale, 15, a electrician’s mate; Sidney Smale, 10. All the Smale children were born in Lambeth. In 1901 the Smales lived at 7 Wilkinson Street. Joseph’s father William James Smale, 49, gave his ocupation as “warehouseman – baskets”. Ten years previously the Smales were living at 18 Walberswick Street, South Lambeth Road.

Arthur Sharman

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Sharman A Lijssenhoek
Photo © Marietta Crichton Stuart

A. Sharman
Service no. A/187
Rifleman, King’s Royal Rifle Corps, 8th Battalion
Born in Battersea; enlisted in Lambeth; lived in Wandsworth
Died of wounds on 31 July 1915, aged 21
CWGC: “Son of Elizabeth Sharman of 15 Brooklands Street, Wandsworth Road, SW London. His brother Harry also fell.”
Remembered at Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Belgium

Brother of Harry Sharman

Information from the censuses

Aged 17 in 1911, Arthur Sharman was working as a labourer. He was one of 14 children (only seven survived) of Edward Sharman, 62, from Diss, Norfolk, and Elizabeth Sharman, 50, from King’s Lynn, Norfolk. Besides Arthur and his parents, the two-roomed household at 17 Richmond Place, Stockwell included Ann Maria Sharman, 15, a box maker, and Harry, Sharman, then 11. The children were born in Battersea.
Note: The names of Arthur Sharman and his brother Harry were added, out of sequence, to the last panel on the war memorial.

Edgar Stanley Sharman is also on the war memorial – it is not known how or whether he is related to these two brothers.