Photo: Turnbull and Sons
Photo: NEWMP
Medal Index Card
John Geoffrey Stobart was born on the 28th January 1892, at Spellow Hill, Knaresboroug, Yorkshire, the youngest son of eleven children to William Culley Stobart, [born 22nd July 1837, died 17th November 1899], and his second wife Frances Dorothea Wilkinson, [born 17th November 1851, baptised 17th December 1851, died 12th April 1948], daughter of Reverend George Pearson Wilkinson, [died 21st August 1890]. They were married on the 18th April 1872 at St. Bartholomew's Church, Thornley.
William had previously married Frances Charlotte Ryder in 1863, who died in 1868. She had four children all born at Etherley, William Ryder born 10th July 1864, died 29th September 1938, Henry John, born 22nd October and died 5th December 1865, Averil Culley born 14th January 1867, died 10th September 1942 and Frances Geraldine born 1st February 1868 died 24th May 1950.
In 1881 William and Frances were residing at Spellow Hill, near Knaresbrough, when William died in 1899, Frances moved to reside at Black Hall, Fir Tree, Co Durham with 4 daughters and 2 sons including John Geoffrey Stobart the youngest who was attending Aysgarth School for his education. By 1911, she was residing at Harperley Park with Evelyn, Dorothy, John Geoffrey and George Herbert Stobart and his wife Frances. Now a retired Officer Major in the Royal Artillery.
The other children were Helena Mary born 3rd April 1874, died 1959, Adela, born 3rd September 1875, died 1961, Henry Francis, born 2nd September 1876 died 1959. Evelyn 'Evie' Elizabeth, born 5th January 1878, Edward, born 24th October 1879, died 1962, Dorothea Margaret, born 6th January 1882, died January 1968, Kenneth, born 2nd January 1884, died 15th June 1905, Mary Vernon born 31st January 1888, died 1978, Ralph Forester, born 2nd September 1889, died 12th March 1917 and George Herbert [Bertie], Stobart born 18th February 1873, baptised 26th March 1873. They resided at Harperley Park and Clayton Manor, Hassocks, Sussex.
John Geoffrey Stobart was educated at Aysgarth School, Yorkshire and was a member of the Yorkshire Ramblers’ Club from 1910. He attended Malvern and Pembroke Colleges, Cambridge and was a member of the Officer Training Corps [O.T.C.]. By 1911, 19-year old John Geoffrey recorded as 'Student Cambridge University' with 33-year old single daughter Evelyn, 29-year old single Dorothy, and 38-year old son George Herbert and his wife Mary with Frances residing at Harperley Park.
At the outbreak of war, John Geoffrey Stobart volunteered for service and was attached for a month to the 3rd Battalion, the Durham Light Infantry at South Shields pending a vacancy in the 6th Battalion, the Rifle Brigade to which he had been appointed and gazetted the 15th August 1914. He was stationed with that battalion at Sheerness until the 1st February 1915. On the 17th February he took out a draft of men to join the 4th Battalion at the Front.
The 4th Battalion, the Rifle Brigade had been based in India and sailed from Bombay landing at Devonport on the 18th November 1914. It landed at Le Havre on the 21st December 1914 and came under the orders of 80th Brigade 27th Division.
14 March: The Germans attacked St. Eloi after blowing 2 mines, capturing the village, trenches nearby and the Mound [a spoil heap] south of the village. The 80th Brigade fought hand-to-hand with the attackers but could not counter attack because of German artillery barrages isolating the attack front. Just after midnight 2 battalions managed to counter attack and retook the village and the lost trenches. The Mound was not regained as the Germans had managed to consolidate and retained the advantage of observation from it. Second Lieutenant J.G. Stobart was killed in action on the 15th March while leading his platoon on the retaking of the trenches at St. Eloi. The battalion lost 2 officers and 31 Other Ranks on the 14th and 15th March 1915.
John Geoffrey Stobart is remembered in Fir Tree on F42.01, in Howden- le-Wear on H139.05, in Durham on D47.043 and at High Etherley on H127.03