A most unusual single 1914 Star & clasp to a pre-war regular soldier, who was commissioned from the ranks of the Royal Engineers. He served from 1880 – 1919, being forced to retire on reaching the age limit of 60 as a Major and holder of the Military Cross.
1914 Star, with 5th Aug – 22nd Nov. 1914 clasp. Impressed named HON: LIEUT & Q.M. W. STOYLE. R.E. Comes with copies of service records, Medal Index Card & medal rolls.
William Stoyle was born on 3 May 1862 at Plymouth, Devon, and attested as a Sapper in the Royal Engineers on 3 July 1880. Promoted Corporal on 1 April 1885 and Sergeant Engineer Clerk on 1 April 1886, he was permitted to extend his service to 12 years with the colours at Chatham on 17 November 1886. Later appointed Warrant Officer and Superintending Clerk, Stoyle served in Hong Kong from 14 December 1892-6 February 1896, and was overseas when his first wife Ava Marian died on 14th September 1893.
Returning home to Kent, Stoyle was retained by the Royal Engineers at Chatham on 19 June 1900, his conduct noted as 'exemplary' and his continued service being 'exceptionally advantageous to the public service.' In 1903 he was awarded the L.S. & G.C. Medal and on 24 October 1906, he was commissioned Quartermaster and Honorary Lieutenant. He went on to serve throughout the Great War as Major and Quartermaster within the Royal Engineers Section of the office of the Deputy Adjutant General, being awarded the Military Cross and placed on retired pay on his having turned sixty. Stoyle died on 18 August 1929 at Andover, Hampshire, probate leaving effects of £372 10s. 3d. to his widow Alice Maud Stoyle.
G.H.Q. 3rd Ecxhelon was otherwise known as the Adjutant-General's Office at the Base, and was at Rouen throughout the war under Maj-Gen E R C Graham, the Deputy Adjutant-General. Its role was to maintain all personnel and other records - War Diaries were sent there every month and these are the set which now form class WO95 at Kew.
Each infantry battalion or similar unit left its orderly-room sergeant as part of 3rd Echelon, dealing with the records of the men of their own units. These included the casualty returns which were forwarded to the War Office.
As Major Stoyle was in the records section, it will be an interesting line of further research to ascertain how he qualified for the Clasp of the 1914 Star and more importantly, awarded a Military Cross.
