4225 Major-General William Donovan STAMER, CB, CBE, DSO, MC, MiD**, North Staffordshire Regiment

Discussion in 'Higher Formations' started by NtheP, Jan 20, 2013.

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  1. NtheP

    NtheP Junior Member

    I'm trying to piece the career of William Donovan Stamer together and there's a hole around the start of the war. He was promoted to Lt-Col in December 1938 and presumably appointed CO 2nd Batt North Staffords at the same time (there is a LG reference from December 1941 confirming that his period of command had finished). The gap is that in 1939/40 I can't find any reference to him having led his battalion to France. Dunkirk-Fight to the last man refers to the battalion CO as being acting Lt-Col D C Butterworth. So where was Staner - by 1941 he's a area commander in the Middle East Forces and later a brigade and (Sudanese) division commander but he's awol in 1939/40. Can anyone help fill this gap?

    TIA

    Nigel
     
    NtheP, Jan 20, 2013
    #1
  2. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    In October 1939 Lt. Col C B Stephenson was the CO of 2 North Staffs

    23rd February 1940 Lt. Col C B Stephenson left Bn, appointed G.I. 44 Division.

    14th March Major D C Butterworth arrived and appointed Bn CO.

    21st March Major D C Butterworth promoted acting Lt Col of Bn. and stayed with the Bn as far as I can tell for the rest of the campaign.

    Have you considered he may have been a Staff Officer at one of the Bde's or Divs?

    Info sourced from 2 North Staffs war diary WO 167/830
     
    Drew5233, Jan 20, 2013
    #2
  3. NtheP

    NtheP Junior Member

    Drew

    thanks - as he was in Palestine until 1938 and in early 41 is a commander in the near East (Army List Jan-Mar 1941) and all his subsequent service was in that theatre I suppose it's entirely possible that he stayed there after the battalion came back from Palestine. It's just this Gazette ref (Viewing Page 7239 of Issue 35390) that suggests a command somewhere.

    Nigel
     
    NtheP, Jan 20, 2013
    #3
  4. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    If I get time (I should be revising for two exams next week) I'll check the Bde and Div Officer Field Returns that 2 North Staffs were under.

    It may be an idea to ask Idler (Andrew) I think he has every regimental history ever published :lol:
     
    Drew5233, Jan 20, 2013
    #4
  5. NtheP

    NtheP Junior Member

    Bit more digging and it looks like the latter half (at least) of 1940 he was commander firstly Sollum then area commander Benghazi resulting in a CBE in March 41
     
    NtheP, Jan 20, 2013
    #5
  6. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Drew5233, Jan 20, 2013
    #6
  7. NtheP

    NtheP Junior Member

    His DSO was for action in Palestine against Arab insurgents Christmas Day 1937 and his CBE for being Area Commander Sollum then Benghazi in 1941.
     
    NtheP, Jan 22, 2013
    #7
  8. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Have you got them? I was hoping someone (Owen Andrew) would post up the originals. They have a way of getting them for free ;)
     
    Drew5233, Jan 22, 2013
    #8
  9. NtheP

    NtheP Junior Member

    I've got both citations from TNA
     
    NtheP, Jan 23, 2013
    #9
  10. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    Personal Number: 4225
    Rank: Major-General
    Name: William Donovan STAMER, CB, CBE, DSO, MC, MiD
    Unit: North Staffordshire Regiment


    London Gazette : 18 August 1914
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/28873/page/6497/data.pdf
    The Prince of Wales's (North Staffordshire Regiment).
    Gentleman Cadet William Donovan Stamer, from the Royal Military College, to be Second Lieutenant. Dated 19th August, 1914.

    London Gazette : 29 May 1915
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/29176/supplement/5198/data.pdf
    The Prince of Wales' (North Staffordshire Regiment),
    The undermentioned Second Lieutenants to be Lieutenants:—
    W. D, Stamer. Dated 23rd December, 1914.

    London Gazette : 24 November 1916
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/29835/page/11412/data.pdf
    .N. Staff. R.—
    Gentleman Cadet William Donovan Stamer, from R. Mil. Coll., to be 2nd Lt. 8th Aug. 1914. (Substituted for the notification in the Gazette of 18th of Aug. 1914.)

    London Gazette : 3 August 1917
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/30217/supplement/7980/data.pdf
    N. Staff. R.—
    The undermentioned Lts. to be Capts.:—
    W. D. Stamer. 26th Mar. 1917.

    London Gazette : 21 December 1917
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/30441/supplement/13369/data.pdf
    The following is a Continuation of Sir Douglas Haig's Despatch of the 7th Novem- ber, submitting names deserving special men- tion, published in a Supplement to the London
    Gazette of Tuesday, 18th, December, 1917 : —
    NORTH STAFFORDSHIRE REGIMENT.
    Stamer, Capt. W. D.

    London Gazette : 26 January 1918
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/30496/supplement/1351/data.pdf
    N. Staff. R.—
    Capt. W. D. Stamer to be Adjt. 7th Dec. 1917.

    London Gazette : 13 November 1918
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/31006/supplement/13379/data.pdf
    N. Staff R..—
    Capt. W. D. Stamer, M.C., to be actg. Maj. whilst serving as Maj. on Hd.-Qrs. of a Bn. 4th Oct. 1918.

    London Gazette : 28 June 1919
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/31424/supplement/8189/data.pdf
    N. Staff. R—
    Capt. (actg. Lt.-Col.) W. D. Stamer, M.C., to be temp. Lt.-Col. whilst comdg. a Bn. 28th Oct. 1918.

    London Gazette : 13 May 1930
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/33605/page/2964/data.pdf
    INFANTRY.
    N. Stafford R.—Capt. W. D. Stamer, M.C.,. is restd. to the estabt. 9th May 1930.

    London Gazette : 28 July 1933
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/33964/page/5046/data.pdf
    N. Stafford R.—
    Capt. W. D. Stamer, M.O., to be Maj. 13th July1933.

    London Gazette : 11 March 1938
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/34492/page/1669/data.pdf
    The KING has been graciously pleased to approve of the undermentioned awards for gallant and distinguished services in Palestine:—
    The Distinguished Service Order
    Major William Donovan Stamer, M.C., 2nd Battalion, The North Staffordshire Regiment (The Prince of Wales's).

    London Gazette : 23 December 1938
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/34582/page/8177/data.pdf
    The names of the undermentioned have been brought to notice by the General Officer Commanding the British Forces in Palestine and Trans-Jordan, in recognition of distinguished services rendered in connection with the operations in Palestine during the period, 12th September, 1937 to 31st March, 1938:—:
    2nd Battalion, The North Staffordshire Regiment (The Pfince of W ales's).
    Stamer, Maj. W. D., D.S.O., M.C.

    London Gazette : 30 December 1938
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/34584/page/8306/data.pdf
    N. Stafford R.—
    Maj. W. D. Sterner, D.S.O., M.C., to be Lt.-Col. 22nd Dec. 1938.

    London Gazette : 8 July 1941
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/35209/supplement/3882/data.pdf
    The KING has been graciously pleased to give orders for the following promotions in, and appointments to, the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, in recognition of distinguished services in the Middle East during the period December, 1940, to February, 1941: —
    To be Additional Commanders of the Military Division of the said Most Excellent Order:—
    Lieutenant-Colonel (temporary Colonel) William Donovan Stamer, D.S.O., M.C. (4225), The North Staffordshire Regiment (The Prince of Wales's).

    London Gazette : 23 December 1941
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/35390/supplement/7239/data.pdf
    N. Stafford R.
    Lt.-Col. W. D. Stamer, D.S.O., M.C. (4225), on completion of period of serv. in comd. remains on full pay (supernumerary). 22nd Dec. 1941.

    London Gazette : 23 October 1942
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/35754/supplement/4587/data.pdf
    REGULAR ARMY.
    The undermentioned Lt.-Cols. to be Cols.: —
    Brig, (temp.) W. D. Stamer, C.B.E., D.S.O., M.C. (4225), fromN. Stafford R., 14th Sept. 1942, with seniority from 22nd Dec. 1941.

    London Gazette : 13 January 1944 https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/36327/page/258/data.pdf
    The KING has been graciously pleased to approve that the following be Mentioned in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the Middle East:—
    Commands and Staff.
    Brig, (temp.) W. D. Stamer, C.B.E., D.S.O., M.C. (4225), late N. Stafford R.

    London Gazette : 6 November 1945
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/37335/supplement/5377/data.pdf
    REGULAR ARMY.
    N. Stafford R.
    Col. (Actg. Maj.-Gen.) W. D. STAMER, C.B.E., D.S.O., M.C. (4225) to be Col., 14th Sept. 1945, vice Col. (Hon. Brig.-Gen.) L. J. WYATT, D.S.O., ret. pay, who completed the extended tenure of appt. on that date.

    London Gazette : 20 March 1947
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/37909/supplement/1311/data.pdf
    The KING has been pleased to grant unrestricted permission for the wearing of the following decorations which have been conferred on the under-mentioned personnel in recognition of distinguished services in the cause of the Allies:—
    DECORATIONS CONFERRED BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
    Legion of Merit, Degree of Officer.
    Major-General (temporary) William Donovan STAMER, C.B.E., D.S.O., M.C. (4225), Colonel, The North Staffordshire Regiment (The Prince of Wales's).

    London Gazette : 23 March 1948
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/38242/supplement/2007/data.pdf
    REGULAR ARMY
    The undermentioned Cols to be Brigadiers, 1st Nov 1947 —
    (Temp Maj-Gen.) W.D.STAMER, CB., CBE., DSO., MC., Col, N. Stafford R (4225), late Inf.

    London Gazette : 3 May 1955
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/40466/supplement/2551/data.pdf
    N. Staffs.
    REGULAR ARMY.
    Brig. (Hon. Maj.-Gen.) Charles Roger Alan SWYNNERTON, C.B., D.S.O. (438) late Inf., Col. Comd. R.W.A.F.F., is appointed Col., 1st June 1955, vice Brig. (Hon. Maj.-Gen.) William Donovan STAMER, C.B., C.B.E., D.S.O., M.C. (4225), resigned.

    London Gazette : 1 January 1948
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/38161/supplement/4/data.pdf
    The KING has been graciously pleased to give orders for the following promotions in, and appointments to, the Most (Honourable Order of the Bath:—
    To be Ordinary Members of the Military Division of the Third Class, or Companions, of the said Most Honourable Order:—
    Major-General (temporary) William Donovan STAMER, C..B.E., D.S.O., M.C. (422-5), late Infantry.

    London Gazette : 23 March 1948
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/38242/supplement/2007/data.pdf
    REGULAR ARMY
    The undermentioned Cols to be Brigadiers, 1st Nov 1947 —
    (Temp Maj-Gen.) W.D. STAMER, CB, CBE., DSO., MC., Col, N. Stafford R (4225), late Inf.

    London Gazette : 2 November 1948
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/38446/supplement/5782/data.pdf
    REGULAR ARMY.
    Brig. W. D. STAMER, C.B., C.B.E., D.S.O., M.C. (4225), late Inf. retires on ret. pay, 1st Nov. 1948, and is granted the hon. rank of Maj.-Gen..
     
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