Roger Stamp was born in Stockton in 1895. He lived in Russell Street and attended Bailey Street School before working as a plater in Ropner’s shipyard. In 1913, at the age of 18, he enlisted in the 5th (Territorial) Battalion of the Durham Light Infantry. When the Great War broke out he, with the rest of his battalion, was at the annual summer camp. The territorials were recalled to their depot in Stockton where they all volunteered for service overseas.
On 17th April 1915 the 5th DLI left Newcastle for Folkestone from where they sailed for France. On the day he left for the front Roger began to keep a diary (much frowned upon by the Army) and continued to do so until he was invalided out of the army in 1918 after, in August 1917, being wounded for the third time.
He recovered from his injuries and after the war he emigrated to America where he worked as a gardener in Los Angeles.
Now, precisely one hundred years to the day that the events were first recorded, Stockton Library Service will be serialising Roger’s diary, day by day, exactly as he himself wrote them. The diary gives a rare insight into the everyday life of a British infantryman in and out of the line in France and Flanders during the Great War. You can see Roger’s diary as it unfolds at www.heritage.stockton.gov.uk
We are indebted to a relative of Roger, Linda Patterson, who originally transcribed the diaries and has very graciously given us permission to publish them. We would also like to acknowledge the work done by Durham County Record Office and Durham at War in making these diaries accessible. The Durham at War project is supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Hi I believe my Grandfather-in-law was in the 5th but there are no surviving records of him that I can find. Any chance he might be mentioned in the diary and how do I find out please. His name was William Henry Scott. Thanks
Steph Story
Roger Stamp is my paternal 1st cousin of husband (Herbert Orr Stamp b1887) of great-aunt ( Betsy Hymer b1887 ). I am currently tracing my ancestors. Many thanks for this enlightened information on my relative.
Best Regards
Michael Hymer
The soldier, Dixon, mentioned in the diary entry for 31st December 1915 was John William Dixon who was killed on the 29th. December 1915 and is buried in Vlamitinghe cemetery Belgium, he was my wife’s uncle.
Stockton DLI. Very interesting.
I had a uncle who was killed in france in 1914 his name was pte Patrick Jordan 2nd battalion DLI,regular army he went to France in august 1914 and he was killed in action on October 28 1914 he is comemorated on the Ploegstreet mermorial to the missing
I know the Army frowned on soldiers keeping records and diaries of the life at the front, the life these soldiers lived was nothing like the life portrayed in official documents. My Father Benny Brown senior wrote a letter to one of Sunday Newspapers, how he achieved this I do not know but the letter was published I think in Empire News Sunday paper, I remember years ago reading the cutting I only wish I had taken a copy. My father was threatened with Court Marshal for this act but was let off with a caution. The reason given was that telling the public about the terrible conditions at the front was helping the enemy. Dad mentioned how the horses were getting stuck in the mud up to their bellies and had to be shot because they could not get them out. Many other problems were itemised. I wonder if Dad met the Author as Dad was in the 5th DLI Regiment.
I would love to know if he mentions other lads with him who lived in Stockton who would have went with him to France, a relative of mine killed in action weeks after out-break of the great war,
John W McIntosh DLI. All the best. Derek.