Robert Stearman, one of 8 known children was the 4th born of 5 sons and had 2 elder and 1 younger sister. His father Alfred Stearman native of Field Dalling, Norfolk, born in 1851 was in 1871 living along with his elder brother Robert with their uncle and aunt Daniel and Esther Voutt at Stanley Pitt, near Crook, County Durham, where they, their uncle and his 4 sons were employed as coal miners. Alfred was married in 1877 to local girl Jane Gibson born 1854, they settled at Stanley where daughter Elizabeth was born later that year, son William in 1878, Alfred Jnr 1882, Ann 1884, Robert, April 22nd 1896 and Thomas 1890 were all born in the district of Chester-le-Street. It was while they were living at Home Houses that Jane Stearman nee Gibson died in 1893, aged only 39-years, leaving Alfred with the responsibility of raising their children ranging between 16 years and 8 months, the youngest Florence died in 1894 not yet 1-year-old. Alfred did not remarry but somehow managed to keep his family together, in 1901 now living at Union Lane, Chester Moor, he was employed as a hewer, Matthew (21) and Alfred (19) worked below ground as putters, Robert (14) as a pony driver, Thomas (11) was a scholar and his sister Elizabeth (24) and Ann (17) attended to domestic duties.

Upon the outbreak of war he and his younger brother Thomas enlisted at Durham, September 16th 1914. Thomas was assigned as Private 2791 and Robert as Private 2793 to the Durham Light Infantry, 8th Battalion, ‘C’ Company. The battalion was a Territorial Force with HQ at Gilesgate, Durham City and once mobilised the main body of men was assigned to the coastal defences at Roker and Whitburn while over the next 9 months the new recruits were trained at Boldon, Ravensworth and Newcastle-upon-Tyne for active service overseas.

Fully trained Robert, along with his brother, departed with the regiment from Newcastle-upon-Tyne railway station April 19th 1915 arriving in France the following day and marched to join the 151st Brigade, 50th (Northumbrian) Division in the trenches of the salient in Belgium during the 2nd Battle of Ypres which raged from April 22nd to May 25th 1915. During this battle his brother Private Thomas Gibson Stearman was wounded, taken prisoner by the Germans he died May 25th 1915 whilst at a military hospital for prisoners of war in Dortmund, Germany.

Private Stearman remained with the Durham Light Infantry in the trenches of the Ypres salient in Belgium, Armentieres and Kemmel until the regiment was moved south to the Somme, September 1916 where they suffered heavy losses at Le Sars and at the Butte de Warlencourt, November 5th.

Robert was married whilst in England, August 16th 1917, in the district of Chester-le-Street, County Durham to Miss Frances Ridley, born December 10th 1889. He was posted to the 69th General Infantry Depot, April 22nd 1918 and to the Reserve, June 26th 1918 before departing with the British Expeditionary Force to France where he joined the 15th Battalion Durham Light Infantry in the field on the Somme, as Private 300440, September 5th, before being compulsorily permanently transferred to the 8th Battalion Prince of Wales’s Own West Yorkshire Regiment, with a new service number 236258, September 6th 1918. Reported as missing September 27th 1918 he had in fact been wounded, a gunshot to the right hip and captured by the Germans.

His wife received Army Form B104-83 informing her that he was missing and it continued as follows, ”The report that he is missing does not necessarily mean that he has been killed, as he may be a prisoner of war and temporarily separated from his regiment. Official reports that men are prisoners of war take some time to reach this country, and if he has been captured by the enemy it is possible that unofficial news will reach you first. In that case, I am to ask you to forward any letter received at once to this Office, and it will be returned to you as soon as possible. Should any further official information be received it will be at once communicated to you. I am, Madam, Your obedient Servant.” His family was to receive news directly from him that he was a prisoner of war in Germany.

After the declaration of the Armistice, November 11th 1918, the repatriation process began including prisoners of war and as the British and American numbers were less to deal with than some countries it was quite speedy. Private 236258 Robert Stearman returned to England, January 29th 1919 and posted to the West Yorkshire depot until his discharge from the service, April 23rd 1919.

Discharged, Silver Badge No. 8186932, under King’s Regulations 392 (xvi), no longer physically fit for war service, due to wounds received caused by active service. He had sustained a gunshot wound to the right hip, prior to and contributing to his capture. His disability was calculated between 60-70% and he was awarded a pension of 19 shillings 3 pence to be reviewed in 39 weeks.

At the time of his discharge Robert was 32 years and 7 months old, he returned to his wife living at 30, Pine Street, Chester Moor, County Durham. Awards, 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal also King’s Certificate 4227.

Robert and his wife welcomed a daughter Jennie, born June 2nd 1923, however his father Alfred Stearman died December 5th 1929, aged 78 years of age, leaving effects in the sum of 319 pounds 10 shillings 3 pence to his daughter Elizabeth Stearman, spinster and William Stearman, coal miner.

In 1939 he and his family were living at 6, Poplar Street, Chester Moor, Robert supported them employed as a colliery lamp-man above ground. Robert Stearman died in 1952 aged 76 years, Frances Stearman nee Ridley in 1961 aged 72 years, both registered in the district of Durham N.

Jennie Stearman married in 1946 to George Barrett, born May 22nd 1922 and with whom she had 4 children, Ronald 1946, Gordon 1948, Kenneth 1953 and Jean 1955.

George Barrett died in 1993, Jennie Barrett nee Stearman in 2005, both registered at Durham N.

In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.

The Chester-le-Street Chronicle 29/11/1918 reports:-

Pte. Robert Stearman, D.L.I., West Yorkshire Regiment, whose home is at 37 Union Lane, Chester Moor, joined H.M. forces in September 1914 and has been through many engagements in which he has experienced some tough work. The War Office has reported him missing but his people have now received word from him that he is a prisoner of war. Pte. Thos. Stearman D.L.I. joined up with his brother but he received mortal wounds and died on 25th May 1915. It appears he was taken a prisoner by the Germans and sent to hospital where he stayed about a month before he succombed to his wounds.

Robert Stearman is remembered at Chester Moor on C123.02