Lives of the First World War

This photograph shows the five soldier sons of the Duke and Duchess de Stacpoole. The two youngest, Roderick top left and Robert top right, were killed early in the war.

Robert Andrew de Stacpoole in uniform. He served with the Connaught Rangers.

This memorial contains the names of 3,888 British officers and men who died between August and October 1914 and who have no known grave. Robert Andrew de Stacpoole is listed on this memorial.

The memorial contains the following wording: "TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND THE LASTING MEMORY OF 3888 BRITISH OFFICERS AND MEN WHOSE GRAVES ARE NOT KNOWN WHO LANDED IN FRANCE IN THE MONTH OF AUGUST 1914 AND BETWEEN THEN AND OCTOBER FOUGHT AT MONS AND LE CATEAU AND ON THE MARNE AND THE AISNE"

This is my Great Uncle's memorial listing as photographed in 2009.

An extract from 'The Bond of Sacrifice - A Biographical Record Of All British Officers Who Fell In The Great War'. Volume 1, Aug-Dec 1914. Military Editor: Colonel L A Clutterbuck in association with Colonel W T Dooner. Sourced from openlibrary.org

An extract from ‘de Ruvigny’s Roll of Honour 1914-18 : A biographical record of members of His Majesty’s Naval and Military Forces who fell in the Great War 1914-1918’. Part Two with some 1500 portraits. Page 282.

Brass memorial plaque from St. Patrick's Cathedral, Trim, Meath

Poppy

This photograph shows the front and back of the Medal Index Card for Robert Andrew de Stacpoole.

A photograph of the WW1 Memorial in the Wimbledon College Chapel. The inscription reads 'Pray for the souls of the Old Boys of this College who fell in the Great War 1914-1918' and the memorial includes a reference to Lieut. Robt. de Stacpoole under 'Members of the Army Class'.

Robert de Stacpoole's father records in his memoirs that Benison was a brother officer and devoted friend of his son, and that he too was killed on September 20, 1914.

This memorial was commissioned by his parents and is located in Ballymacward Church, Co. Galway, Ireland - To the Glory of God and in loving memory of Robert Andrew de Stacpoole and Roderick Algernon de Stacpoole. Note the family motto and crest at the top, the wording being especially poignant in this context.

This photograph accompanies a memoir to Robert in the book 'Downside & the War 1914-1919'. Reproduced with permission © Downside Abbey Trustees. The following is an extract from the introduction to the book: “We trust that the present and future generations who have the privilege of using the church will from time to time refer to the pages of this book so as to get an insight into the lives and characters of those to whose memory the Nave has been erected, and will thereby be inspired to put their best into their own lives and show themselves worthy of the great sacrifice which was made by their predecessors.” R.S. Trafford (Headmaster) July 11th, 1925.

This photograph accompanied a biography about Robert Andrew de Stacpoole that was published by the Irish Life newspaper on January 22, 1915 in its Our Heroes supplement. © South Dublin County Council.

An "11 metre long memorial, described as ‘absolutely unique’ by the Imperial War Museum, holds plaques commemorating 275 men and women, most of whom died as a result of the ‘war to end all wars’. They were relatives of the nuns and children who attended the Society of the Sacred Heart Convent school which was located on the Digby Stuart College Campus." Source: University of Roehampton, London.

Robert Andrew de Stacpoole in uniform. He served with the Connaught Rangers.

“To those they have lost in the Great War 1914 – 1919. The nuns and children of the Sacred Heart and their families have erected this shrine in loving memory and suppliant prayer. R I P.” Surrounding the shrine is a wall of commemorative stone plaques.

Lieutenant Robert Andrew De Stacpoole. Unit: 2nd Battalion, Connaught Rangers. Death: 20 September 1914 Killed in action at Verneuil Western Front. Son of the Duke of Stacpoole, J.P. Co. Galway.

This image was kindly provided by Adrian Laing, Head Master of Wimbledon College in London, from the college archives. A link to a PDF version of the biography will be placed in the Evidence section.

Robert de Stacpoole in uniform. He served with the Connaught Rangers.