Peterborough & The Great War

Biography

Cecil William Stofer was born in 1892, at Wenhaston, Suffolk to parents John and Florence Annie (nee Lay); he was the second eldest of eight children.  In 1901, Cecil William, aged 8 was living at Brandeston Road, Earl Soham, Plomesgate, Suffolk with John (38) insurance agent, Florence Annie (36), John Leonard (12), Elsie Matilda (10), Ruby Ellen (7), Mabel Annie (5), Hilda Ella (3) and Marjorie Harriett (1).  By 1911, the family had moved to 6 Prospect Place, Pakefield, Suffolk, and Cecil William was a printer.  His father was a jobbing gardener and his mother a dressmaker, John Leonard, a grocer’s assistant, Mabel, a domestic help and Hilda and Marjorie were at school.

Cecil’s service record has not been traced, but we know that Cecil enlisted at Lowestoft and joined the Suffolk Regiment.  Cecil passed through Peterborough East Station and signed the visitors’ book on 27 March 1917.  His entry reveals he was a Lance Corporal serving with the Machine Gun Corps.  He served with the infantry of the 233^rd Company Machine Gun Corps until 2 October 1917, when he died of wounds.

“Cecil was a Sergeant in 233rd Machine Gun Corps. He had been wounded in August 1916 and after recovering, returned to the Front. He and his men had been under severe shell fire for seven days and the machine-guns had been buried several times.

His commanding officer wrote that he was the bravest man he had even seen, setting a fine example to the others, helping the wounded, steadying everyone and scorning to take cover until others were safe.

He was hit and wounded on September 30th and taken to the dressing station at once, but died two days later.

 Cecil’s parents John and Florence lived at 502 London Road South, Lowestoft. Cecil was a member of the Pakefield Church Choir and worked as a Printer prior to enlisting.”  http://www.roll-of-honour.com/Suffolk/LowestoftStMargaretsChurch.html

Cecil was awarded the British War and Allied Victory Medals and the Military Medal and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium and on St. Margaret’s Church War Memorial, Lowestoft.

Is your family name Stofer?  Could you be related to Cecil?  Do get in touch if you can tell us more.