The Queens Own Royal West Kent R

The Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment

Sergeant M J Sterry

Photograph by "Robert O'Connor"

Sergeant Miles John STERRY, G/21501, 7th Battalion, Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment, died of wounds, 46 Casualty Clearing Station, France, 27th October 1918.

Born East Dean, Gloucestershire, son of John & Elizabeth Sterry.

25th December1909, Cinderford Baptist Chapel, Westbury on Severn, Gloucestershire, married Ethel Mary Moore.

Children - Harold Sterry, born 24th April 1910, Gloucester;

1911 Census - Heywood Road, Cinderford, Gloucestershire - Elizabeth Sterry, head, age 51, widow, married 27 years, 7 children, 6 still alive, born East Dean, Gloucestershire; Frank Sterry, son, age 22, single, baker, bread, Co-operative Society, worker, born East Dean, Gloucestershire; Ada Sterry, daughter, age 21, single, dressmaker, own account, at home, born Cinderford, Gloucestershire; Ivy Sterry, daughter, age 16, single, housemaid, worker, born Cinderford, Gloucestershire; Alexander Sterry, son, age 13, grocers apprentice, Co-operative Society, worker, born Cinderford, Gloucestershire; Miles Sterry, son, visiting, age 26, married, Tailors Traveller, worker, born East Dean, Gloucestershire; Ethel Sterry, daughter in law, visiting, age 25, married 1 year, 1 child, still alive, born Cinderford, Gloucestershire; Harold Sterry, grandson, visiting, age 11 months, born Gloucester.

Children - Stanley Birt Sterry, born 4th April 1912, Gloucester; Ivy Mabel Sterry, born 24th July 1914, Gloucester.

Enlisted Gloucester, Gloucestershire, age 30 years & 9 months, height 5ft 3½ inches, weight 120lbs, dental treatment required. Resided 20 Sehert Street, Gloucester. Formerly traveller.

Home 11th December 1915 to 2nd December 1916; BEF 3rd December 1916 to 27th October 1918.

11th December 1915, enlisted; 11th December 1915 to Army Reserve; 31st July 1916, mobilized & posted Gloucestershire Regiment, Service No.5813; 3rd October 1916, Southampton, embarked; 4th October 1916, Havre, disembarked; 10th October 1916, posted 4th (Reserve) Battalion, Gloucester Regiment, Service No. 37408; 11th December 1916, joined Battalion, In the Field from Infantry Base Depot; 6th October 1917, posted 14th Battalion, Gloucester Regiment; 8th October 1917, joined Battalion, In the Field; 18th January 1918 to 1st February 1918, leave to UK; 19th February 1918, transferred to 12th Entrenching Battalion; 1st April 1918, attached 7th Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment; 24th June 1918, appointed Acting Corporal, paid; 23rd July 1918, posted 12th Battalion, Gloucester Regiment; 6th August 1918, transferred to Royal West Kent Regiment; 6th August 1918, posted 7th Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment; 19th August 1918, appointed unpaid Lance Sergeant; 27th August 1918, wounded, At Duty; 7th September 1918, awarded Military Medal; 9th October 1918, awarded Bar to Military Medal; 10th October 1918, promoted Sergeant; 26th October 1918, 99 Field Ambulance, wounded, left thigh, right knee & head.

11th February 1919, date when Separation Allowance of 38/6 a week payable to widow will cease.

26th July 1920, Statement of Relatives - Widow - Ethel May Sterry, 20 Sehert Street; Children - Harold, age 10, 20 Sehert Street; Stanley, age 8, 20 Sehert Street; Ivy, age 6, 20 Sehert Street; Father, not living; Mother, Elizabeth Sterry, 10 Belgrave Terrace, Griffiths Town; Brothers - Bertie Sterry, age 20, 10 Belgrave Terrace, Griffiths Town; Frank Sterry, age 32, Conroy? Road. B????; Sisters - cannot read entries.

Buried at Delsaux Farm Cemetery, I. A. 5., Beugny, France.

AWARDS: MM & Bar & DCM

London Gazette 24th January 1919.

His Majesty The KING has been graciously pleased to approve of the award of the Military Medal to the under mentioned Warrant Officers, Non-commissioned Officers, and Men.

21501 Private Sterry, M. J., 7th Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment. (Gloucester)

London Gazette 12th March 1919.

His Majesty the KING has been graciously pleased to approve of the award of the Distinguished Conduct Medal to the under mentioned Warrant Officers, Non-Commissioned. Officers and Men for gallantry and distinguished Service in the field. The acts of gallantry for which the decorations have been awarded will be announced in the London Gazette as early as practicable.

21501 Serjeant M. J. Sterry, MM., 7th Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment. (Gloucester)

London Gazette 29th March 1919.

His Majesty, the KING has been graciously pleased to approve of the award of a Bar to the Military Medal to the under mentioned Warrant Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers and Men:

21501 Serjeant M. J. Sterry, MM., 7th Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment. (Gloucester)

London Gazette 2nd December 1919.

His Majesty The KING has been graciously pleased to approve of the award of the Distinguished Conduct Medal to the under mentioned Warrant Officers, Non-commissioned Officers, and Men, for gallantry and distinguished service in the Field:

Serjeant M J STERRY, 21501, 7th Battalion, Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment. (Gloucester).

During the operations on 23rd October 1918, east of Le Cateau, he displayed conspicuous gallantly in the attack, and handled his platoon with marked leadership. His coolness under heavy machinegun fire was most encouraging to the men, and when the objective was reached he went forward and cleared the ground of enemy snipers. He again showed conspicuous gallantry in a subsequent attack east of Bousies, and although wounded he continued to lead his platoon until the objective was reached and the line organised.

This page was last updated on 08-Mar-2024.