Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
The serviceman listed on the marble plaque, St. Mary Heworth, as J. Stavers was actually Robert Stavers. He was born at Heworth, Gateshead, County Durham, May 26th 1896, one of 5 children of whom only 4 survived 3 sons and a daughter. His father Edward Stavers native of Washington, County Durham married at Heworth, November 9th 1895, Hannah Morton, native of Heworth both were born in 1873. The couple moved to 42, First Street, Heworth where Edward was employed as a coal miner below ground, unfortunately, Edward Stavers died in 1906, his wife did not remarry and could be found living at 18, Princess Street, Pelaw on Tyne in 1911 with her daughter Christiana (13) and sons Thomas (9) and Edward (6). Exact whereabouts of Robert, unknown.
Robert Stavers enlisted April 21st 1915 as James Stavers and was assigned as Private 4264 3/9th Battalion Durham Light Infantry, a Territorial Force. The following day he was at their camp at Rothbury to undergo training and they were also part of the County Durham coastal defences. Private Stavers from the outset was frequently in and out of trouble, confined to barrack and had his pay docked for being drunk, destroying Government property, disobeying orders, eating in the rooms and being absent without leave, until, October 21st 1915, he deserted from the Durham Light Infantry camp at Rothbury. Only 4 days later October 25th 1915 he presented himself at the recruitment office at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, under his real name but to cover his tracks, lied about his age, stating he was 22 years and 11 months old when he was only 19. He was assigned to the Royal Marine Light Infantry, Chatham Division as Private CH/1090(S). December 24th 1915 whilst at Deal Depot he confessed to his former service and desertion. His brief record does not state what, if any punishment he might have received, he did however remain with the Royal Marines. He was sent as part of the draft along with the British Expeditionary Force to France, September 25th 1916, joining the 4th Entrenching Battalion, one of several temporary units of men sent to the front as replacements and could be drawn on by infantry battalions. November 11th 1916 he was transferred to the 1st Royal Marine Battalion, 63rd Royal Naval Division. They participated during 1916 on the Somme at the Battle of the Ancre, November 13th-18th and again January-March 1917 before taking part in the 2nd Battle of the Scarpe April 23rd-24th, a phase of the Arras Offensive where they captured Gaville followed by the Battle of Arleux April 28th-29th 1917.
At the conclusion of the two day Battle of Arleux, Private CH/1090(S) Robert Stavers Royal Marine Light Infantry was declared missing and later, presumed dead. His sacrifice is recorded as one of the 34,785 names of servicemen from the United Kingdom, South Africa and New Zealand inscribed on the Arras Memorial within Faubourg D’Amiens British Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France, commemorating those who died in the sector between spring 1916 and August 7th 1918 and who have no known grave. Private Stavers was 21 years old and single.
The CWGC has adopted the date of April 28th 1917 as the official date of his demise and lists him under his true name as Robert Stavers.
His mother Hannah received all monies due to him along with his awards of the British War Medal and Victory Medal sent to her at 6 Princess Street, Pelaw on Tyne, County Durham.
Hannah Stavers nee Morton died aged 81 years in 1955, registered in the district of Durham NE.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Robert Stavers as J. Stavers is remembered at Heworth on H92.03 and as James Stavers at Wardley on W97.01
