Lives of the First World War

known 1894

The plaque mounted on the clock tower of St Peters Church, Stonebroom, Derbyshire, lists Frederick Sterland as one of thirty-six: “Men of this parish who gave their lives in the Great War”. Frederick Sterland is also listed on the war memorial in neighbouring Morton. The Morton war memorial has Frederick Sterland serving with the RAMC – the Royal Army Medical Corps. However, all records show that Frederick only served with the Royal Marines Medical Unit Royal Navy Division. Frederick Sterland was killed in the Gallipoli campaign. He had only been in that theatre of war for just three months when he was shot in the abdomen. He died two days later in a field hospital. According to the ‘Jack Clegg Memorial Database of Royal Naval Division Casualties of the Great War’:- Frederick Sterland enlisted on Monday 4 January 1915 and served with the 2nd (Royal Navy) Field Ambulance (C Bearer Section) in the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, from Monday 1 March 1915 to Sunday 6 June 1915 (the day he died). That publication goes on to confirm that:- Frederick Sterland was recommended for a Mention in Dispatches by Surgeon Sparrow RN with a citation reading: ‘[Frederick Sterland of the] 2nd Field Ambulance Section 'C' Bearer Sub-Division. With much coolness and devotion to duty he carried wounded from the Regimental Aid Posts to the Advanced Dressing Station a distance of over a mile, in parts under considerable fire. At last he was fatally wounded and has since died.’" On Friday 21 April 1916 Frederick Sterland was also posthumously awarded a certificate by the General Officer Commanding the Royal Navy Division, for “Courageous and Gallant Conduct in the Field 4 June 1915”. Friday 4 June 1915 was the day Frederick was wounded, two days before he died. Private Frederick Sterland was a more than considerable hero. He was shot whilst in the process of carrying out his duty, which was that of stretcher bearer. It isn't stated whether he was meant to have been protected as a wearer of the red cross at the time. He was just 18.

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