STANDBRIDGE, Arthur Christian
Captain and Adjutant, 8th Bn. North Staffordshire RegimentBorn
1886
Son of the late Col. Edmund Baker Standbridge (RA) and Mrs. Standbridge of Brackendale, Parkstone, Dorset, formerly of 1, Milverton Lodge, Tiverton.
Education
Blundell's School, a “Day Boy” from the age of 14; September 1904 - Summer 1908. He was in the eights which competed for the Devon Shield in 1907 – 08, winning it in the latter years.
Trench Diaries
The 1st Bn. East Yorkshire Regiment were part of 64th Brigade, 21st Division. In July 1916 the battalion were in support of the K.O.Y.L.I. during the attack on Fricourt, advancing under heavy machine gun fire. Although Crucifix trench and sunken road taken and enemy counter attack repulsed the Commanding officer was mortally wounded and the war diary noted that further advance was not possible due to heavy casualties. They withdrew at about 6.30am on 2nd July.
Death
18th November 1916, aged 25.
Burial/Commemoration
Captain Standbridge has no known grave so is commemorated on Theipval Memorial, Theipval, Somme; Pillar 14, faces B and C.
Memorial
Theipval Memorial is on the D73, off the Main Bapaume to Albert (D929). The Memorial, 150 feet high, was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens and can be seen from many of the battle sites in the surrounding area. It has sixteen piers on whose faces the names of all the men who have no known grave are inscribed. An excellent interpretation centre has been built nearby with research facilities and an “on-line” memorial to the missing which contains much valuable information.
Research
Commonwealth War Graves Commission - www.cwgc.org
The National Archives, Kew WO 339/7473 and Medal rolls WO 372/19
“The Register of Blundell's School, Part II 1882 – 1932” (1932) MAHOOD, A.S., Ed. Entry No.5024
Cemeteries & Memorials in Belgium & Northern France (2004) Commonwealth War Graves Commission. 25/490
“British battalions on the Somme” WESTLAKE, R. (2004) Pen and Sword
Field visit (JEA & GRY 28/7/2006)