Stephen Self (1891–1932)

Lance Corporal

Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment) 3667 & 241165 1/6th Battalion

Derbyshire Times 19 May 1917

Sphoto of Stephen Self

Derbyshire Times 3 December 1932

Stephen Self in 1932

Biography
Stephen's father - Stephen Self, Sr (1855-1957) – had three sons listed on the First World War 'Roll of Honour' inside Crich Parish Church: Charles Self (1881-1963); Joseph Self (1889-1984); and Stephen Self, Jr (1891-1932). Stephen's father relocated to Crich from his native Suffolk as a young man during the 1870s and worked as a gardener at Chase Cliffe for thirty years, until 1903. He then worked as a gardener for Mrs Shore Nightingale at Lea Hurst, then later as a roadman for Belper Rural District Council. For many years the family lived at Crich Carr, then later at Robin Hood, Whatstandwell. The Self family were particularly notable for their longevity. Stephen Self, Sr passed away at Crich in 1957, aged 102. Of his twelve children, a son and three daughters passed the age of 90, and two of the daughters - Emma and Ellen (Nellie) -  lived to 105 and 104, respectively. Also notable for longevity are Stephen Sr's older sister, Maria Daniel (passed away in Surrey in 1954, aged 100); their father, Charles Self (passed away in Suffolk in 1917, aged 93); and their grandfather, Stephen Self (passed away in Suffolk in 1875, aged 97). Sadly, Stephen Self, Jr, did not inherit this longevity: he passed away in Kent in 1932, aged only 41.

War Diary for July 1/6th Battalion Sherwood Foresters [by kind permission of National Archives]
Stephen would have been involved in this action.

1.7.17 TRENCHES
In conjunction with rest of Division, 1 Coy attacked German positions W of LENS. Objective was gained, but was not held. Casualties during the operation, 2/ Lieut R.C.F. DOLLEY missing, Lt J TAYLOR wounded, 2/ Lieut T.A.D. MABBOTT wounded. Other ranks 8 killed, 29 wounded, 4 wounded & missing, 3 missing

2.7.17 FOSSE10, SAINS en GOHELLE
2/Lieut H.T. WOODS joined Battalion from England

3.7.17 TRENCHES
Battalion relieved by 31st Canadian Battalion. Casualties during whole tour: 2 O.R. killed, 11 O.R. wounded (in addition to those on 1st July)

Night 2/4th/7/17
Battalion moved by bus from BULLY to FREVILLERS

4.7.17 FREVILLERS
Capt. V.O. ROBINSON M.C. rejoined from 1 months leave, and assumed command of the A Coy

5.7.17 FREVILLERS
Major A.J. HOPKINS & 2/Lieut K.H. BOND M.C. joined Battalion from England

6.7.17 FREVILLERS
Capt J TOLSON proceeded on 1 months leave
Lieut B.E. JOHNSON proceeded on short leave
2/Lieut K.H. BOND M.C. assumed command of the B Coy

8.7.17 FREVILLERS
Battalion inspected by G.O.C. Division

9.7.17 FREVILLERS
2/Lieut H.W. HIGHAM proceeded to join RFC as Observer on probation
2.Lieuts A.COATES, R.W. OAKLEY, H.H.SHENTON joned battalion from England

11.7.17 FREVILLERS
Major A.J. HOPKINS proceeded to 46th Div Depot Battalion

12.7.17 FREVILLERS
Battalion transport inspected by G.O.C. Division

14.7.17 FREVILLERS
Capt V.O. ROBINSON M.C. attd to 1/5th Sherwood Foresters to be 2nd in Command
2/Lieut S.N. DEURANCE joined Battalion from England

15.7.17 FREVILLERS
2/Lieut K.H. BOND M.C. to command A Coy
2/Lieut A EVANS to command B Coy
2/Lieuts V.T.G. HORE and L.V. BURROWS to I Corps Schools

18.7.17 FREVILLERS
2/Lieut H.H. SHENTON to hospital
240444 Pte W.GOUGH in B Coy awarded Military Medal for Gallantry on 1st July W of LENS

21.7.17 FREVILLERS
Battalion held sports in conjunction with 139th MB Company, 139th T.M. Battery
No 240935 Cpl P/KNOWLES awarded Military Medal for gallantry on 1st July W of LENS

23.7.17 FREVILLERS
Battalion moved to DROUVIN
24.7.17 DROUVIN
Battalion relieved 9th Suffolk Regiment in RIGHT subsection of ST. ELIE Sector Rfce map 36c NW31:10,000 G12C and Q.M. Stores and Transport to LABOURSE. Major W. SEATON proceeded on short leave

26.7.17 LABOURSE
Liet & QM W.D. JAMIESON proceeded on short leave

28.7.17 I CORPS SCHOOLS
2/Lieut V.T.G. HORE proceeded on short leave

29.7.17 LABOURSE
2/Lieut L.V. BURROWS from I Corps Schools

30.7.17 LABOURSE
2/Lieut J MACKAY joined Battalion from England

night 30/31/7/17 TRENCHES
Battalion relieved by 1/5th Sherwood Foresters & went into support at PHILOSOPHE: 2 Companies remaining in the line in support to 5th Battalion. Casualties during tour 8 Other Ranks wounded.

SECRET
From Officer Commanding 6th Sherwood Foresters
To Headquarters 139th Infantry Brigade
Ref Map LENS 1/10.000
I beg to report as follows on the part taken by my Battalion in operations subsequent to and on the morning of 1st July:

1. I attended a conference at Advanced Brigade HQ at 2pm on 29th of June when I received a warning that the operations in question would properly take place on first July. At 2pm on the 29th my forward posts were on the line CAVALRY–SW CORNER of HOSPITAL grounds N.7.c.10.90– COPPER– N.7.a. 20.25. I received verbal orders from the Brigadier General to advance my posts on the night 29/30th as far as possible to the line M.18.60.50– CORNWALL–N.7.c.55.45–N.7.a.65.40. If CORNWALL was found to be occupied by the enemy, the line N.7.c.30.20 –N.7.c.55.45 was to be consolidated and used as a jumping off place for the attack on the 1st July. I got back to my HQ about 4pm and held a conference at the Advance Coy Headquarters at 5:30pm. I then ordered Lr “D” Coy (captain H.H. Jackson) to push out posts at once to N.7.c. 35.85 and N.7.a. 20.05. This was done. The posts could not be pushed out further East as the houses are in a very bad condition and the selections of suitable positions for posts required a long and careful reconnaissance. I ordered Lr “C” Coy (captain G.K.K. Maughan) who were in the right support position to send a strong patrol after dusk along COLLEGE and COMBAT to junction of COLLEGE–CORNWALL and to road junction N.7.c.80.10 respectively. Blocks were to be established at these points. Patrols were then to reconnoitre CORNWALL and if it proved to be unoccupied by the army to occupy it and consolidate. The patrols went out at dusk, owing to the darkness and the very broken state of the houses and trenches they were unable to find their objectives and finally took up a position on the line N.7.c.42.06 – 40.30 – 50.40. By this time it was too light to fall again

2. I attended a second conference at Brigade Advanced HQ at 9pm on the 29th June and was given verbal instructions as to the general scheme and also informed definitely what my objectives would be, namely: N.13.a.95.60 –COLLEGE–CORNWALL to join up with posts on left. After some discussion it was settled that I should endeavour to occupy CORNWALL on the night 30th June/1st July as I did not consider that the enemy had any posts there.

3. I spent the morning of the 30th reconnoitring the position, but owing to mist, could see very little. I spent a considerable time in the ruins N of CORNWALL but the ground was so exposed that it was not possible to get near the German line, nor could I see more than a small sector of their line at a time. Capt J TOLSON accompanied me in this reconnaissance.

4. I attended the third conference at Advanced Brigade HQ at 4pm on the 30th to settle all final details. No details of the artillery barrage scheme had been given out up to then. I explained my proposed dispositions to the Brigadier General who approve them. I was then ordered to take CORNWALL before ZERO as the Infantry Barrage would open on COWDRAY and not CORNWALL.

5. I held a conference at a support Coy HQ at 6:30pm the 30th to explain in detail the general scheme and dispositions. I ordered O.C. “C” Coy to occupy and consolidate CORNWALL as soon as possible after dusk and OC “B” Coy to carry out the main attack. Copy of operation orders is attached.

6. At 11pm 30th strong patrols went out from N.7.c.40.05 to 2/Lt R.C.F. DOLLEY (Comdg No 1 party) at 4:30am. This was the first message received. The enemy attacked the left blocking post in force and compelled it to fall back across the cutting, and another blocking post with a Lewis Gun was formed on the W side of the cutting. The enemy made continual attempts to attack this block, but was driven back each time by this Lewis Gun before he could get within bombing distance. The enemy continually fired rifle grenades into our position and caused an increasing number of casualties. 2/Lt DOLLEY kept taking men away from the various sections to reinforce the left blocking post. Sgt HALLAM states that 2/Lt DOLLEY ordered him to prepare the men for an attack with the object of retaking the lost ground E of the cutting: but that at that moment a runner came from LIEUT MARTIN of the 5th SF ordering 2/Lt DOLLEY to hold on where he was. The 5th SF crossed over the trench through 2/Lt DOLLEY’S men and went back through the German wire. 2.Lt DOLLEY then went along the trench to the right, and Sgt HALLAM saw a party of Germans jump in the trench in the direction in which 2/Lt DOLLEY had gone. Lance Corporal Knowles who was in command of the left blocking post, states that after the party of the 5th SHERWOOD FORESTERS had gone back through the wire, he saw the Germans advancing towards our men over the top on the East side of the cutting, along the cutting and from the direction of COTTON. He then saw 7 or 8 men – the garrison of the trench on his right – withdrawing. As it was impossible to hold on any longer without being surrounded, he withdrew with his party, which by now only consisted of two bombers and two Lewis Gunners with their gun.

Return of casualties of Officers and NCOs and men and men who actually took part in the operation:
Officers: 0 Killed 1 Wounded, 0 Wounded & Missing, 1 Missing, 0 Remaining for duty
Other Ranks: 30 Killed 13, Wounded, 5 Wounded & Missing, 4 Missing, 26* Remaining for duty
* includes Stretcher Bearers, Runners and 4 men who got detached from The Right Party

Lieut Colonel Comdg 6th Battalion Sherwood Foresters
5th July 1917

[With thanks to Steve Morse]

Photo Courtesy Hazel McLaughlin

Stephen Self senior

Stephen Self Senior (1855–1957)
Stephen was born in 1892. Before the war he worked at Lea Mills, and then as a miner. He enlisted in January 1915 and entered France in October 1915, and then two years later, he was wounded and hospitalised. He was discharged with the Silver War Badge in May 1918 and went on to work at the Woolwich Arsenal as a shell inspector.

Newspaper reports

Derbyshire Times, 19 May 1917
Mr and Mrs Stephen Self of Whatstandwell have received the news that their youngest son Lance Corporal S. Self of the Sherwoods, was wounded on the 25th ult by the bursting of a shell from which he received a compound fracture of the right arm and a wound on the left side to the neck. He is now in hospital at Chatham. Previous to enlisting he worked as a miner at Staveley where he enlisted in January 1915 and has seen nearly two year’s service at the front. He is single 34 years of age, and a native of Whatstandwell.

Derbyshire Times, 3 December 1932
MR STEPHEN SELF
Death of Whatstandwell man in Kent
There passed away at 77, Lovel Avenue, Welling, Kent, on November 21st a member of a well-known Derbyshire family, Mr Stephen Self (41), son of Mr and Mrs Self, Robin Hood, Whatstandwell. The deceased joined the Notts and Derbyshire Regiment in Chesterfield soon after the outbreak of war, and was badly wounded in 1916. He had been employed at Woolwich Arsenal as a shell inspector since 1918. He leaves a widow and two children. The funeral took place at East Wickham churchyard on Thursday week. Those present included: – the widow (Mrs May Self); Mr and Mrs Charles Self (brother and sister-in-law); Mrs Ludlum and Mrs Dale (sisters); Mr Wilfred Self (nephew); Miss Rose Gray (sister-in-law); Miss Ellen Farrow (aunt). Mr Benge and Mr McMenamin represented the staff and employees at Woolwich Arsenal. The Rev F Smith officiated.
Flowers was sent by: – Mrs May Self; Joyce and Hazel; Father and Mother, Whatstandwell; Mr and Mrs C Self, Chesterfield; Mr and Mrs J Dale, Youlgrave; Mr and Mrs Ludlum; Betty and Harriet; Maggie and children; nephew Francis; Mr and Mrs Gray, Norfolk; Rose, Agnes and George, Norfolk; all at Northreep and Roughton; Aunty Ellen, Aunt Ada and Amy; Mr Fred and Chas Whitmore; neighbours; workmates at Woolwich Arsenal.
A memorial service was held in Crich Parish Church on Sunday.

Stephen's father Stephen Self Senior (1855-1957), was father of the three Self brothers listed on the First World War 'Roll of Honour' inside Crich Parish Church: Charles Self (1881-1963); Joseph Self (1889-1984); and Stephen Self Jr (1891-1932). Mr Self relocated to Crich from his native Suffolk as a young man during the 1870s and worked as a gardener at Chase Cliffe for thirty years, until 1903. He then worked as a gardener for Mrs Shore Nightingale at Lea Hurst, then as a roadman for Belper Rural District Council. For many years the family lived at Crich Carr, then later at Robin Hood, Whatstandwell. The Self family were particularly notable for their longevity. Stephen Self Snr. passed away at Crich in 1957, aged 102. Of his twelve children, a son and two daughters passed the age of 90, and one of these daughters lived to 104. Another daughter, Emma Self, was employed as a governess and emigrated to Australia during the 1920s. Also notable for longevity are Stephen's older sister, Maria Daniel (passed away in Surrey in 1954, aged 100); their father, Charles Self (passed away in Suffolk in 1917, aged 93); and their grandfather, Stephen Self (passed away in Suffolk in 1875, aged 97). Sadly Stephen Self Junior did not inherit this longevity dying aged forty-one.

Medal Roll Index Card
He was awarded the Victory, British War and 15 Star Medals along with the Silver War Badge.
He entered France 28/10/15

Silver War Badge
L/Cprl 241165, Bdge 393866, enlisted 15/1/15 discharged 22/5/18

Stephen Self had two brothers Charles Self and Joseph Self who are also on the Roll of Honour.

CENSUS INFORMATION

1901: Crich Carr

Forename Surname Relationship Age Occupation Where born
Stephen Self Head 47 Gardener, domestic Suffolk
Sarah Self wife 42   Crich
Charles Self son 20   Crich Carr
Mary Ann Self daughter 18 Hosiery mending room Crich Carr
Emma Self daughter 16 Hosiery mending room Crich Carr
John Self son 15 Labourer Crich Carr
Samuel Self son 13 Fish dealer Crich Carr
Joseph Self son 12 School Crich Carr
Harriet Self daughter 11 School Crich Carr
Stephen Self son 9 School Crich Carr
Elizabeth Self daughter 7 School Crich Carr
Ellen Self daughter 6 School Crich Carr

RG13 piece 3231 folio 47 page 13

1911: Chatsworth Road, Brampton

Forename Surname Relationship Age Occupation Where born
Stephen Self Head 58 Gardener Swifling, Suffolk
Sarah Self wife 53   Crich
Joseph Self son 22 Gardener Crich Carr
Harriet Self daughter 21 Frame hand bitter, Lea Mills Crich Carr
Stephen Self son 19 Wool ?, Lea Mills Crich Carr
Ellen Self daughter 16 Drapery Assistant Crich Carr

RG14PN20985 RG78PN1251 RD436 SD4 ED14 SN6