Home

Surname

Forename

Rank

Notes

Unit

Stainforth

C H

5th Battalion
Source: QSA and KSA medal rolls

Manchester Regiment

Stainforth

Source: WO100/281

Hex River DMT

Stainforth

W R

1600

QM Sergeant

MID LG: 10 September 1901, page: 5938. Source: Field Marshal Roberts. 4 September 1901. Re: General mentions
This page contains all the London Gazette pages for the Boer War

(Buffs) East Kent Regiment

Stainforth

W R

1600

Sergeant

MID LG: 8 February 1901, page: 847. Source: Field Marshal Roberts. 31 March 1900. Re: Orange Free State
This page contains all the London Gazette pages for the Boer War

(Buffs) East Kent Regiment

Stainforth

W R

1600

Colour Sergeant

Wounded. Driefontein, 10 March 1900
2nd Battalion.
Source: South African Field Force Casualty Roll

(Buffs) East Kent Regiment

Stainforth

William Rede

1600

QMS

Paardeberg etc. Wounded 10 Mar 00 Driefontein.

William Rede Stainforth was the eldest of three brothers and was born on 29 Jun 1867 at Dinapore, India. Stainforth enlisted as a private soldier with the 3rd Regiment of Foot at Canterbury on 13 March 1885. In October of the same year the Buffs returned to England where Private Stainforth started his engagement with the Regiment at Aldershot. On 16 December 1888, and now a Corporal and able to marry, Cpl Stainforth married after a two year courtship to Rose. A few years later the 2nd Bn moved from Aldershot to Chatham and then in the summer of 1892 to Ireland where they would stay until they departed for South Africa in 1899. The 2nd Bn departed on 22 December and upon arrival in South Africa on 14 January 1900 were immediately assigned to General Kenney’s 6th Division who formed the western part of Lord Roberts’ army corps. Their objective was to relieve Kimberly, defeat the Boer General Cronje holding the Modder River crossings, then turn eastwards to capture Bloomfontain.

On 27 August 1900 General Cronje surrendered and Stainforth, now a Colour Sergeant, described the drama of the surrender when a Boer horseman rode up bearing a large white flag, and said that Cronje desired to be escorted to Lord Roberts to discuss terms. A short while later General Cronje appeared and Stainforth provided part of the escort which conveyed Cronje to Colonel Hickson for transmission to Lord Roberts. On 7 March 2nd Bn, The Buffs in action again; this time is was at Poplar Grove. Two days into the daily skirmishes a fierce battle took place at Driefontain. During this battle Colour Sergeant Stainforth had been severely wounded when he received a gunshot wound through his groin. After his recovery and return to the 2nd Bn Stainforth was promoted to Quartermaster Sergeant just four years after his promotion to Colour Sergeant. On 8 February and 10 September 1901 Stainforth was mentioned in dispatches for leadership in action. On 27 September 1901 he was also awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for bravery in his many battles, but primarily for the Battle at Driefontain.

On 30 October, Stainforth was with the Battalion when it fought at Bakenlaagte when the rear guard of a mobile column was attacked by Boers who captured a couple of guns and inflicted heavy casualties. The Battalion suffered fifty dead and wounded. This action brought Quartermaster Stainforth additional recognition for his leadership qualities when Lieutenant Colonel Backhouse, the 2nd Bn Officer Commanding, promoted him in the field to officer rank of Quartermaster Hon. Lieutenant which was gazette on 14 December 1901. At this point he had served just over sixteen years with the Buffs.

On 27 October the 2nd Bn returned to England and immediately posted to Dover where Stainforth was reunited with his wife Rose. They remained there for two years then to Salisbury when the 1st Bn returned from India. A few months later Stainforth and the 2nd Bn were on their way back to South Africa. After South Africa the 2nd Bn served in Hong Kong and then Singapore where Stainforth was promoted to Captain with effect from 4 December 1911. In 1913 the Bn moved to India. Stainforth remained there until the outbreak of WWI when certain key personnel were selected and sent home to train the territorial battalions.

On 14 December 1916 Stainforth received a promotion to Major. His time with the Buffs came to an end on 13 September 1921 where he was reported as being a real estate agent in London and as the son of Henry William and Matilda Stainforth. He and his wife resided in East Worthing in their later years. His wife Rose died at the beginning of January 1943. Two years later, William Rede Stainforth passed away on 28 November 1945.

Stainforth’s military service highlights include he served with the 2nd Battalion East Kent Regiment from 13 March 1885 to 13 September 1921. He served in South Africa from 1900-1902 and was wounded in action at Driefontein on 10 Mar 1900. He was mentioned in Lord Roberts dispatches of 31 Mar 1900 and on 10 Sep 1901. He was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal on 27 Sep 1901 for actions at Paardeberg. He was promoted to Lt (QM) on 14 Dec 1901, Cpt (QM) on 14 Dec 1911 and Maj (QM) on 14 Dec 1916. He retired from military service on 13 September 1921 after thirty-six years of service.
Source: DCM recipients and other

(Buffs) East Kent Regiment

Stainger

Arthur Willett

21824

Trooper

Source: QSA Medal Rolls

82th Company, 21st Btn, IY

Stainrod

G A

2nd Battalion
Source: QSA and KSA medal rolls

(King's Own) Yorkshire Light Infantry

Stainrod