Private James Frederick William Stopher
| Date of Birth | c. 1898 |
|---|---|
| Age at Death | 19 |
| Date of Death | 18 March 1918 |
| Service Number | C/69984 |
| Military Service | 'B;Coy, 17th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers |
| Merton Address | 6 Laburnum Road, Colliers Wood |
| Local Memorial | Mitcham War Memorial |
Additional Information
James Frederick William Stopher was born in Mitcham in 1898. His mother Martha had also been born in Mitcham, although his father James Senior came from Ipswich. The couple had married at Christ Church, Mitcham in 1884.
In 1901 the family were living at 118 South Road, Wimbledon. Their children were Mary aged 16 who was working as a Domestic Servant, Clara 12, Eli 8 and Olive aged 6. James was 2 years old at the time, and it is recorded that all the younger children had been born in Mitcham.
By 1911 the family had moved to 6 Laburnum Road, South Wimbledon. The older children had left home and only James, and his 9-year-old younger brother Charles were living at home. James was 13 and still at school.
According to the 1916 Recruitment Register, James attested on July 15th with the 17th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers. He was described as 5 ft 9 ins in height, weighing in at 134 lbs. His occupation was given as a Carman.
The 17th Battalion was a Service Battalion and landed in France on 17 November 1915. They were part of the 2nd Division, and would have been involved in several battles on the Western Front. At some point James must have been wounded and returned to England. Sadly he died of his wounds on 18 March 1918, and is laid to rest in the Burial Ground at Christ Church, Mitcham.
James is commemorated on the Mitcham War Memorial, but under the name of O. Stopher. It is thought that he was registered in error under this name, as his sister Olive had put his name forward, and her initial was used by mistake.