This picture appeared in the edition of the Norwich Mercury dated Saturday, November 1st 1917. The associated caption reads, Sergt. C.W. Stofer of the Machine-gun Company, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Stofer, 502, London Road, South Lowestoft, killed in France.
C.W. STOFER…………………………………….
STOFER, CECIL WILLIAM
Rank:……………………..Serjeant
Service No:………………5882
Date of Death:……………02/10/1917
Age:………………………25
Regiment/Service:……….Machine Gun Corps (Infantry)
………………………......233rd Coy.
Panel Reference:…………Panel 154 to 159 and 163A.
Memorial:………………..TYNE COT MEMORIAL
Additional Information:
Son of John Stofer, of 502, London Rd., South Lowestoft, Suffolk.
www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/826454/STOFER,%20CECI...
SDGW records that Sergeant Cecil William Stofer Died of Wounds on the 2nd October 1917 whilst serving with the Machine Gun Corps (Infantry). He had previously been 20763, Suffolk Regiment. Cecil was born “Wembaston”, Suffolk and enlisted Lowestoft. No place of residence is shown.
The Medal Index Card for Serjeant 5882 Cecil W. Stofer Machine Gun Corps is held at the National Archive under reference WO 372/19/67752
He had previously been Serjeant 20763 Suffolk Regiment.
Source: discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D5405706
He qualified for the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. There is no additional information on the card.
His Service Records do not appear to have survived the incendiary attack during the Blitz on the Warehouse where all the Other Ranks Army Service Records were stored.
No match on Picture Norfolk, the County Image Archive.
No obvious Missing Persons enquiry received by the International Red Cross.
No obvious Soldiers Will or Civil Probate for this man.
1892 – Birth………………………
The birth of a Cecil William Stofer was registered with the Civil Authorities in the Blything District of Suffolk in the July to September quarter, (Q3), of 1892.
The most likely marriage of his parents was recorded in the Blything District in the October to December quarter, (Q4), of 1887. This was when a John Stofer married a Florence Annie Lay.
1901 Census of England and Wales
The 8 year old Cecil William Stofer, born Wenhaston, Suffolk, was recorded living at a dwelling on Brandiston Road, East Soham, Suffolk. This was the household of his parents John, (aged 38, an Insurance Agent, born Chediston, Suffolk) and Florence Annie, (aged 36, born Redisham, Suffolk). As well as Cecil their other children living with them are:-
John Leonard……aged 12….born Thurgarton, Norfolk
Elsie Matilda……aged 10….born Bramfield, Suffolk
Ruby Ellen………aged 7…...born Wenhaston
Mabel Annie……aged 5……born Wenhaston
Hilde Ella……….aged 3……born Framlingham, Suffolk
Marjorie Harriett..aged 1……born Framlingham, Suffolk
1911 Census of England and Wales
The Stofer family were now recorded living at 6 Prospect Place, Pakefield, Suffolk. Parents John, (48, a Jobbing Gardener) and Florence Annie, (46, Dressmaker) have been married 23 years and have had 8 children, of which 7 were then still alive. Their children still single and living with them are John Leonard, (22, Grocers Assistant), Cecil William, (18, Printer), Mabel Ann, (15), Hilda Ellen, (13) and Marjorie ‘Harriet’, (11).
Until September 1911 the quarterly index published by the General Registrars Office did not show information about the mothers’ maiden name. A check of the General Registrars Office Index of Birth for England and Wales 1911 – 1983 shows no likely additional children of John and Florence.
His unit
The 233rd Machine Gun Company joined 3rd Division on the 18 July 1917 and were in action during The Battle of the Menin Road and Battle of Polygon Wood during the Third Battle of Ypres.
www.wartimememoriesproject.com/greatwar/allied/battalion....
The 233rd Company, Machine Gun Corps were Divisional Troops of the 3rd Division and so would be used to supplement any of the Brigades as required.
www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/order-of-battle-of-divisions...
22 to 25 September Battle of the Menin Road Ridge [V. Corps, Fifth Army]
25 to 30 September Battle of Polygon Wood [V. Corps, Fifth Army, until 10 a.m., 28 September, then under II. ANZAZ Corps, Second Army].
www.vickersmachinegun.org.uk/units-mgc-i-coy-233.htm
There is a piece on Cecil on this website.
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 from other research that Cecil enlisted at Lowestoft and joined the Suffolk Regiment. Cecil passed through Peterborough East Station and signed the visitor’s 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 233rd 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.”
Cecil was awarded the British and Victory Medal and the Military Medal and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium and in
Lowestoft on St. Margaret’s Church War Memorial.
www.peterboroughww1.co.uk/soldiers/cw-stofer/
www.roll-of-honour.com/Suffolk/LowestoftStMargaretsChurch...
The 3rd Division were in the line near Zonnebeke on the day Cecil was wounded, having fought off a German attack with some difficulty over the preceding days after their own attack on the 26th had broken in the face of heavy artillery and machine gun fire. They were actually relieved by the 3rd Australian Division on the 30th.
As he died two days later, it’s very likely that he did originally have a known grave. Unfortunately the area was fought over for much of the rest of the Battle of Passchendaele and then at least twice during 1918. Many graves were destroyed – or at least their markers were, and records from either side were lost.
Mildly photoshopped to minimise impact of damage present on the original image.
