John Raymond Evelyn Stansfeld
John Raymond Evelyn Stansfeld DSO (English: /ˈɛvʌlɪn ˈstænsfiːld/; 20 April 1880 – 28 September 1915) was a British army officer involved in the Relief of Ladysmith, the Battle of Spion Kop during the Boer War and the First Battle of Ypres. Stansfeld died at the Battle of Loos during World War I. He served with the Gordon Highlanders.
For other John Stansfelds, see John Stansfield.
John Raymond Evelyn Stansfeld
20 April 1880
28 September 1915 (aged 35)
British
Soldier
Constance Yolande de Bourbel de Montpincon
United Kingdom
1899–1915
2nd Lieutenant (1899)
Lieutenant (1900)
Captain (1904)
Major (1915)
Lieutenant-Colonel (1915)
Early life[edit]
Stansfeld was born on 20 April 1880. He was the youngest child and only son of John Birkbeck Evelyn Stansfeld (1846–1911), Rector of Preston, and his wife Marie Agnes Barrenger. John Snr was the son of Rev. John Stansfield (1814–61), Vicar of Coniston Cold. His cousin, was John Stansfeld (1840–1928) of Field House, Sowerby, and Dunninald Castle, Montrose. He was a descendant of the Stansfeld family of Stansfield and Sowerby, Yorkshire, and a distant cousin of William Crompton-Stansfield, Sir James Stansfeld, James Rawdon Stansfeld and Thomas Wolryche Stansfeld.[1][2][3][4]
Stansfeld was educated at Uppingham School where in 1896 he was awarded the school's Silver Medal for winning the annual boxing competition; the school magazine described him as an "all round athlete of the highest possible promise".[5][6]
Memorial and burial[edit]
As reported in the Craven Herald Article Date: 22 October 1915, a memorial service was held in October at St. Mary's Church, Montrose, Angus (presumably the antecedent of the present Saints Mary and Peter). Walter Robberds, The Most Reverend the Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church and Bishop of Brechin officiated. A regimental contingent was present, including officers and wounded enlisted men. The "choral celebration of the Holy Communion ... [hymns] included 'Onward, Christian Soldiers,' 'Come, Holy Ghost, our souls inspire,' and 'For all the Saints,' ... [and] the tenor solo in the Benedictus, 'Blessed is He that cometh,' to organ accompaniment." After a eulogy, the service concluded with the organ and orchestra playing Chopin's Funeral March, singing of God Save the King (the National Anthem), and cornets intoning The Last Post.[21]
Lieutenant-Colonel Stansfield is buried at the Chocques Military Cemetery in France.[27]
He is honored in The Royal Memorial Chapel, Chapel Square, Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst.[28] So too, on a plaque installed at Craig Parish Church.[29]
Family[edit]
In 1904, Stansfeld married Constance Yolonde de Bourbel de Montpincon the daughter of Major-General Raoul de Bourbel, 8th Marquis de Montpincon (1830–1904). They had one son, Captain John de Bourbel Stansfeld, MC (1905–57) of Dunninald Castle, Scotland.[11]