Charles STODDART

29 January 1915

CONONLEY – A CONONLEY SOLDIER AND THE GERMAN DIRTY DOGS

Mr. Ernest Peel, of Cononley, has received the following letter from Mr. Charlie Stoddart, a native of Cononley, who is a private in the 4th Division Lancashire Fusiliers.

Y.M.C.A., Base Depot,
France, January 12th, 1915.

“Just a few lines to let you know that I am still living, and that I am sorry I did not write before, but you know that I do not like writing. But it is always best to let you know how things are for you never know when you are going to be ‘sniped off,’ as the Germans are extra at that job, but they don’t like to get to close quarters with you. They don’t like the bayonet and put up their hands and say “we used to work in London,” and such like places, so that you will start to talk to them, and then the dirty dogs will try and ‘do you in.’ We had it very hot at the first, but still it keeps getting worse. We are expecting going back to the firing line any time. We have been having a good rest at the Rest Camp, so we are in the pink again.

“I hope to just do as many Germans in as I did before, and then I don’t care what comes or goes, as you get that way when those ‘Jack Johnsons’ keep bursting all around you. I did get a nasty cut on the forehead with a bit of shell, but it was nothing to what some of the others got, but I think we shall get our own back yet and a bit more…

“I have often wondered whether any of the boys have ‘listed since the war began, as they say they are all joining Kitchener’s Army, and I do hope my pals will do the same for their country’s sake. I was glad when I received your letter, but it was weeks after it was posted from the postmark. I do hope to be able to come back to dear old Cononley, and then I will tell you the tale as it is.”

Mr. Stoddart is the eldest son of the late Mr. T. L. Stoddart, a former landlord of the Bay Horse Hotel. He has been at the front for several months.

12 March 1915

CONONLEY MAN IN THE TRENCHES

Pte. Charles Stoddart B Co., 2nd Lancashire Fusiliers, 4th Division, 12th Brigade, with the Expeditionary Force in Belgium, has written an interesting and characteristic letter to Mr. W. Horner, Aireside Terrace, Cononley. Pte. Stoddart is a native of the village and well known in the district. He is evidently having a rough time in the trenches, but is in the best of health and spirits. The letter is dated March 4th and the following are extracts:–

“I was glad to receive a letter from you and hear that the postcards had landed all right. I am still in the best of health and hope you are the same. I don't want you to send presents out to me because we seem to be nearly always getting something from someone or another. We divide it up as equally as we can. You might send out a bit of thin twist. We get plenty of tins of tobacco and cigarettes, but they are not Woodbines. I have received plenty of writing paper, some Pears soap and hand-knit socks and could not have got anything better just at the time. I don't want you to think because I write to all of you that I want something sending, because I don't. All I want is a bit of news. You would not believe how it feels to have a letter from someone you know. When I get a chance I will send you a souvenir out of Belgium in remembrance of the War. I should just like to have another drink or two in the New Inn amongst the boys. You never know your luck out here. Every day some of us go under. All you have to do is to keep a good heart and that's just what I do. If it has to be well let it come. We are the most advanced regiment in the firing line – so near the enemy that at times they call out “Do you think you will win?” and we call back “Nothing so sure.” Their Snipers keep popping one or another of us off! You may see it in the papers that they are poor shots, but give them your head above the trench and you will get one through it. We are just holding our position here while the flanks come up in line and then we will drive them back. It would make you weep to see Belgium in ruins, and the people seem very nice. The King's Own Lancasters relieve us out of the trenches for four days and nights and we go to stay in the villages for a rest. You might think we go bad for grub, but believe me we get the best and an issue of rum each man to keep the cold out – you know what the trenches are like. There was lot of talk about the South African War, but fellows out here who were there say they knew nothing at all about war: there is so much difference. This is about the worst place we have taken, losing 138 men in doing so. Out of this total 58 were of my company, and still we keep losing every day. It might be my turn any time: that's why I wish to be remembered to everyone. I got your last letter while I was in the billet. You would laugh to hear us trying to talk to the Belgians who say they like us - our troops give them plenty to eat.”

Pte. Stoddart closes with best wishes to all friends.

20 August 1915

CONONLEY MAN KILLED

The sad intelligence of the death of Private Charles Stoddart (2635), 2nd Lancashire Fusiliers, was received on Friday last, by his sister, Mrs. Lizzie Watson, of Shipley. Mrs. Watson wrote to her brother a few weeks ago, but no answer was received. Her letter was returned on the date mentioned marked ‘killed in action.’ We stated in our issue of the 6th instant that Pte. Stoddart had been wounded, along with 174 non-coms, and privates in his Battalion.

The last communication received from him was on the 30th June, when his friend, Mr. Ernest Peel, of Cononley, had a post card dated 29th June, which stated “I am quite well, and am going on well. Letter follows at first opportunity. I have received no letter from you lately.”

Private Stoddart had for many years prior to the outbreak of war been a member of the Lancashire Fusiliers. His first term of service expired about 8 years ago; but he rejoined the Reserve, and immediately prior to the War he was with his Battalion in Wales. On being called up he was stationed at Hull for a short time, guarding German merchant ships. He went with his Battalion to Belgium in September and has remained there ever since. He was slightly wounded about 6 months ago, and was sent to the base Rest Camp. He was only there a short time, when he was again sent to the front. Practically the whole of the battalion to which Pte. Stoddart was attached has been decimated.

Private Stoddart was of a somewhat roving character, but withal he was very straightforward, and had many friends. Several letters received from him have been published in these columns, and the contents proved highly interesting to many persons in the Craven district who were acquainted with him. He was about 35 years of age and unmarried. His father was the late Mr. Thomas L. Stoddart, of the Bay Horse Hotel, Cononley.

08 October 1915

CONONLEY – AN AWKWARD BLUNDER

On the 20th August last we published in these columns a photo of Private Charles Stoddart (3/2635), and in the paragraph underneath the photograph we stated that Private Stoddart’s sister (Mrs. Watson, of Shipley) had had a letter returned to her, the envelope of which was marked ‘Killed in Action.’ The Clerk of the Parish Council took the matter up, and after numerous letters to the War Office and the Infantry Record Office, Preston, he on Monday evening last received at Newcastle a letter from the War Office of which the following is a copy:

War Office, London,
3rd Oct, 1915.

Sir,–In further reply to your letter concerning 3/2635, Private C. Stoddart, 2nd Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers, I am directed to inform you that a reply has now been received from the officer in charge of Records, Preston, to the effect that the endorsement, ‘Killed in Action,’ was inadvertently entered on the wrong envelope. The unnecessary pain and anxiety occasioned are much regretted. I am to add that no further information is available concerning the above soldier than that already sent to you. The envelope is returned herewith.

I am, Sir, your obedient servant,
R.C. Fowler.

The ‘information’ referred to after several letters had been sent to the War Office was to the effect that Private Stoddart was ‘now reported wounded and missing.’ There appears to be some confusion in the matter inasmuch as Mr. Walker received a letter on the 9th September last from the Record Office at Preston, stating that “the soldier mentioned cannot be traced in the units of the Lancashire Fusiliers in this office under the regimental number quoted.” Yet the War Office receive their information from the Preston Record Office that the endorsement, ‘Killed in Action,’ was inadvertently entered on the wrong envelope!

We stated in our issue on the 6th August that Private Stoddart’s name appeared in the previous day’s casualty list among 175 non. coms. and privates in the same Battalion.

Mr. Walker has now written to the War Office enquiring if it is known whether any prisoners were taken by the Germans at the battle in which Private Stoddart was wounded.

05 November 1915

PRIVATE CHARLES STODDART DEFINITELY REPORTED KILLED

It will be remembered that recently Private Charles Stoddart (2635), of the 2nd Lancashire Fusiliers, was reported wounded and missing, and that subsequently a letter written to him by his sister (Mrs. Watson) was returned, and the envelope was marked, “Killed in Action.” Afterwards the War Office informed Mr. Walker, clerk to the Parish Council, that the words were written on the wrong envelope, and apologised for the pain caused to the relatives. Mr. Walker then asked the War Office to ascertain if any prisoners of war had been taken on the date Stoddart was reported wounded and missing. The War Office replied that enquiries were being made to ascertain if Stoddart was a prisoner of war. On Wednesday evening Mr. Walker received the following further letter from the War Office:–

“In further reply to your enquiry of the 6th October, 1915, I am commanded by the Army Council to inform you that 2635, Private C. Stoddart, 2nd Lancashire Fusiliers, has now been reported in the casualty list which has reached this office as having been killed in action on the 7th July, 1915.

“I am to express the sympathy of the Army Council with the soldier’s relatives.

“Every endeavour is being made with a view to the early collection of the personal effects of the deceased, and of the amount due to the estate, but some delay must necessarily occur.”

12 November 1915

CONONLEY – The Late Pte. Stoddart

In the hope of eliciting further information concerning the fate of the late Private Charles Stoddart, who, it was reported in last week’s issue, had been definitely reported by the War Office ‘Killed in action,’ an inquiry had been made from Chaplain Jeffries, of the 12th Field Ambulance, prior to the above information being received, as to whether he, the chaplain, was in a position to obtain news concerning Stoddart. The chaplain has now replied that he learns Pte. Stoddart was “killed in action, and that he was found by a Yorkshire Regiment, who took over the trenches from the Lancashire Fusiliers, to the 2nd Battalion of which Stoddart belonged.” He, Chaplain Jeffries, states that Stoddart was given a soldier’s burial by the ‘Yorkshires,’ and in conclusion regrets that the result of his investigation has not led to brighter news, though pleased to be able to relieve the anxiety of relatives and friends, and tenders to them his sincere sympathy.