Photo: Dorothy Hall

To the Glory of God
and in memory of
Richard Laurence
Stapleton Pemberton M.C.
who served his country in two wars
Born April 10th 1891
Died February 7th 1963
also his wife
May Louise
died July 29th 1970

Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-

Richard Lawrence Stapylton Pemberton was born at Kensington, London, April 10th 1891. The only son of Dr. John Stapylton Grey Pemberton born December 23rd 1860 at Bishopwearmouth, County Durham and his first wife Janet Maud Marshall of Scarborough, Yorkshire, born 1867, whom he married June 1890 at Bangor, Cardiganshire, Wales. He and his wife after their marriage moved to Kensington, living at 5 Brunswick Gardens, taking with them Janet Maud’s mother. They employed a man servant, maid and a nurse, Richard’s father practised as a barrister, however, the family moved to the north east not long after Richard’s birth as he was baptised at St. Michael and All Angels, Hawthorn, Co Durham, May 7th 1891. His mother died in 1902, he grew up living at Hawthorn Towers, Hawthorn, County Durham, as his father was appointed Vice Chancellor of Durham University.

At the outbreak of war Richard L. S. Pemberton was commissioned, August 14th 1914, with the 11th Durham Light Infantry, embarked for France July 20th 1915. He was promoted to Acting Captain, May 8th 1916, he later rose to Major spending the next two and a half years on active duty at the front until he was invalided home from the trenches suffering from exposure. He was invested by the King at Buckingham Palace, having returned to the front, whilst he was acting in command of his Battalion, he gained the Military Cross and Bar for actions at Cambrai June 9th 1917 and Messines September 3rd 1918. He assumed the role of second in command to Lieut. Colonel Carlisle until he was demobilised January 20th 1919. Awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal.

Richard Lawrence Stapylton Pemberton married in 1924 at Hartley Wintney, Hampshire, Mary Louise Romilly, widow of Lieut. Cosmo George Romilly, killed August 11th 1915 at Gelibolu, Canakali, Turkey and the daughter of Admiral Sir Crompton Edward Domvile GCB, KCB, CVO, appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Mediterranean Fleet in 1902.

Richard’s father Dr. John Stapylton Grey Pemberton died February 22nd 1940.

Richard Lawrence Stapylton Pemberton died February 7th 1963, County Durham, having also served during WW2, undertaking anti-aircraft duties, 1939-41. His widow Mary Louise died July 29th 1970 at Tunbridge, Kent.

In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.