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BERNARD CASTLE STUBBS
Proem
DIARY KEPT BY
RIFLEMAN B. C. STUBBS
OF THE SECOND DRAFT
SENT TO THE
QUEEN VICTORIA RIFLES
IN FRANCE
CHICAGO
PRIVATELY PRINTED
1915
Copyright, 1916, by
RALPH McCOY
“Dulce et Decorum Est”
MR. B. C. STUBBS
ONCE again the shadow has fallen darkly on all associatedwith the Union-Castle Line, both in the City of London andat sea. Another young member of the Company’s staff atthe Fenchurch Street offices, Mr. Bernard Castle Stubbs, who joinedthe Queen Victoria’s Rifles (9th Battalion London Regiment) inSeptember last, has laid down his life for his country. Shortlyafter enlistment, he volunteered for the first draft which went out tomake good the casualties in his regiment, and on arriving in Francelast February was sent direct to the firing line. He was in thefamous fight on Hill 60 during the night of April 20-21, under thecommand of Lieutenant G. H. Woolley, who gained the first VictoriaCross conferred on a Territorial officer for his gallant efforts in thatbitterly contested struggle. On June 22 Private Stubbs sustaineda shell wound in the head, and he died on the following day at theReceiving Hospital at Bailleul, without having regained consciousness.The lad was educated for eight years at Slough, where hewas distinguished both in his classes and in the school sports, andwas head boy of the school during his last few terms, as well as captainof the cricket and football teams, the holder of a cup for theschool championship at “fives,” and the winner of the swimmingmedal of the school. He later captained the Old Boys’ football team.On leaving school in 1907 he entered the offices of the Union-Castleline, and his death at the early age of 24 has closed what was a verypromising career.
—South Africa