Born in 1897 at Preston Lancashire, son of Russell Loscombe Stable (Captain in Loyal North Lancashire Regiment at Fullwood Barracks) and Marian Emma Stable. 1900: His mother died. 1901: Father was in South Africa as Adjutant to 3 L.N.L.R. Russell has not been traced. 1904: His father remarried, to Edith Anna Bayly. 1911: Russell aged 13 was a boarder at Red Cottage, Cordwallis School in Maidenhead Berkshire. His father died on 29th May 1912 at Falmouth. Russell’s Will in 1917 gives an address of Torr, Plymouth. Probate was granted to Blanche Mildred Dalrymple, also from a Military family, and his medals were claimed by Mrs W.L. Dalrymple of Southcliffe, Bournemouth, who was his nominated next of kin.
Russell Stable was Commissioned into 2 Royal Warwickshire Regiment and entered the European theatre of operations on 11th July 1917.
On 8th October 1917 the Battalion was in the line east of Polygon Wood, “A”, “D” and “C” Coys in front line, “B” Coy in support. The weather was atrocious, heavy rain having turned the area to mud. At 05.30 on 9th October 1917 the Battalion attacked German positions around Judge Wood (also known as Judge Copse) in the Battle of Poelcappelle, the final phase of the Third Battle of Ypres. “D” & “C” attacked on the right with the H.A.C., “A” attacked to the left.
At 07.10 reports came through of continual machine gun fire from Judge Copse, and supporting troops were sent forward to deal with it. By 09.00 men of the right attacking Company were holding a line north of the cemetery (believed to be old Reutel Cemetery), but 2/Lt. J.A. Dorey reported that while advancing both Captain C Roberts and 2/Lt R Stable had been Killed in Action. At 10.00 The O/C “B” Coy was sending a Platoon to deal with machine gunners located within the cemetery. It is possible that Russell Stable was a victim of the machine gunners in the cemetery, or perhaps those German troops remaining within Judge Copse.
X/R: Captain Luscombe Law Stable (Cousin)
Research by Adrian Lee, Local Historian
Sources:
Ancestry.com
FindmyPast.co.uk