Skegness Magazine

Death of a Skegness Soldier
Killed in Action

Source: Skegness, Mablethorpe and Alford News 1915

We regret to learn that information has been received by Mr and Mrs Stamper, Brunswick Drive, Skegness, of the death of their son. Pte Harold Stamper, whilst serving with the British Expeditionary Force. The sad news has been conveyed in a letter to his parents by Lance-Corpl. J. Stamper, who was in a trench in the vicinity of that which his brother met his death. So far, we understand, official notification of the sad event has not been received, but unfortunately this only appears to be a question of time.

Pte Harold Stamper, who is the first actual Skegness lad to fall in the defence of his country, is a former employee of the “News” Office, having served his apprenticeship to the printing trade at these works. Along with his brother Jack, he joined the Northumberland Fusiliers about eighteen months ago, and after the outbreak of war was on special guard duty in this country prior to proceeding to France. Whilst in the latter country he was taken ill with some stomach complaint and spent some time in a base hospital. He had only been in the trenches a few days before being killed. He would have been 20 years old this coming birthday.

Deceased, as in the case of the remainder of his brothers, was for several years prominently identified with the Skegness Boys’ Brigade, and on Sunday the Wesleyan Church pulpit was draped in black and sympathetic reference was made by the preacher to the sad occurrence. Much sympathy has gone out locally to the bereaved parents and family in their sorrow.