Sgt
Leonard Edward Stump

Informatie over geboorte

Geboortedatum:
09/11/1890
Geboorteplaats:
Bayswater, Middlesex, Engeland, Verenigd Koninkrijk

Algemene Informatie

Beroep:
Hotelbediende
Geloof:
Church of England

Informatie legerdienst

Land:
Canada
Strijdmacht:
Canadian Expeditionary Force
Rang:
Sergeant
Service nummer:
80141
Dienstneming datum:
18/02/1915
Dienstneming plaats:
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Eenheden:
 —  Canadian Infantry, 31st Bn. (Alberta)  (Laatst gekende eenheid)

Informatie over overlijden

Datum van overlijden:
06/11/1917
Plaats van overlijden:
Exert Farm, Passendale, België
Doodsoorzaak:
Killed in action (K.I.A.)
Leeftijd:
26

Gedenkplaats

Points of interest 3

#1 Geboorteplaats
#2 Dienstneming plaats
#3 Plaats van overlijden (bij benadering)

Mijn verhaal

Leonard Edward Stump, a former hotel clerk, was born on the 9th of November 1890 in Bayswater, Greater London, England. He was the son of George and Harriett Stump. In June 1913 he emigrated to Canada and worked as chief clerk at the Château Frontenac in Quebec. On February 18th, 1915, he enlisted in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Leonard served as a Sergeant in “D” Company, 31st Canadian Infantry Battalion, part of the 6th Canadian Infantry Brigade, of the 2nd Canadian Division.

On the 2nd of November 1917 the 6th Canadian Infantry Brigade ordered an attack on the village of Passchendaele, together with the 1st Canadian Infantry Brigade on their left and the 5th Canadian Infantry Brigade on their right. The 6th Canadian Infantry Brigade would attack with the 28th, 31st and 27th Canadian Infantry Battalions on the left, centre and right respectively. The 29th Canadian Infantry Battalion was held in reserve.

On the night of November 5th/6th the 31st Canadian Infantry Battalion relieved the 90th Canadian Infantry Battalion holding the frontline, northeast of the Grenadiersstraat-Canadalaan Crossroads. The battalion planned to attack the village in a northeasterly direction, passing the Passchendaele church on their right. “A” Company was tasked with capturing the first objective, the Vierde Regiment Karabiniersstraat and the houses along this street. “B” and “D” Companies were to take the second objective. This was a line starting along the Westrozebekestraat, about 300 metres south of Vindictive Crossroads, running to point 100 metres east of the five-pointed crossroads due north of Passchendaele. The final objective was a line running about 100 metres in front of the second objective. This line had to be captured by “C” Company. After all objectives had been captured, a new main resistance line would be constructed running north-south between the Osselstraat and Molenstraat. Two platoons of “B” and “D” Companies were held in reserve behind this line, at a farm east of Graf Wood.

At 6. a.m. on November 6th, 1917, “A” Company attacked, capturing the ruined houses along the first objective. “B” and “D” Companies passed through “A” Company and attacked the second objective. They encountered fortified cellars, dug outs and pillboxes, but were able to capture the objective. In doing so, they passed the crest of Passchendaele ridge and came under heavy sniper fire as they consolidated the line. This, along with concrete pillboxes on the front left flank, caused heavy casualties and delayed the attack of “C” Company on the final objective. They were able to take out these strongpoints and established posts in front of the second objective. These positions were shelled throughout the day. On the 7th of November the battalion established a defensive outpost at Vindictive Crossroads and cleared wounded off the battlefield. In the night between November 7th/8th the 22nd Canadian Infantry Battalion relieved the 31st Canadian Infantry Battalion.

Leonard, aged 26, was killed in action on November 6th, 1917. His file in the Commonwealth War Graves Register notes that he was buried at a point along the Doornkouterstraat (28.D.6.b.90.60), about 300 metres northeast of the five-pointed crossroads. He was likely killed while holding the line after they crested the Passchendaele Ridge. Sergeant Stump’s grave was not recovered after the war and is remembered on panel 28V of the Menin Gate Memorial. His entry in the De Ruvigny’s Roll of Honour contains a quote from Lieutenant E.A.C. Herbert: “His comrades in the platoon have asked me to tell you how much they appreciated his sterling qualities; he was unselfish to a fault, and his cheerfulness at all times was a fine example to the other boys.”

Bestanden 1

Bronnen 7

Census Returns of England and Wales, 1911 (The National Archives, Kew (TNA), RG14).
https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/
Gebruikte bronnen
Personnel Records of the First World War, Lionel John Baber Aitkens (Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa (LAC), RG 150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 63 - 42).
https://library-archives.canada.ca/
Gebruikte bronnen
UK, De Ruvigny's Roll of Honour, 1914-1919, 202-203.
https://www.ancestry.com/
Gebruikte bronnen
War diaries - 31st Canadian Infantry Battalion (Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa (LAC), RG9-III-D-3, Volume 4937, Microfilm T-10742, File 430).
https://library-archives.canada.ca/
Gebruikte bronnen
War diaries - 6th Canadian Infantry Brigade (Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa (LAC), RG9-III-D-3, Volume 4890, Microfilm T-10686--T-10687, File 269).
https://library-archives.canada.ca/
Gebruikte bronnen
War Graves Registers: Circumstances of Death (Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa (LAC), Record Group Number: RG 150, 1992-93/314; Volume Number: 225).
https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/
Gebruikte bronnen
War Graves Registry: Commonwealth War Graves (Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa (LAC), RG150, 1992-1993/314, Box 39-244; Box: 107).
https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/
Gebruikte bronnen