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Dr. George Stoker's Stafford House Report
John Young


Joined: 30 Aug 2005
Posts: 1020
Location: Lower Sheering, Essex
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Inspired by a recent trip to Whitby, a favourite haunt of his brother Bram and his well-known creation, I thought I'd attempt some research George Stoker. Having picked up some tit-bits I wonder if anyone has a copy of his co-authored report on the Anglo-Zulu War?

Thanks in anticipation,

John Y.
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Harold Raugh


Joined: 25 May 2008
Posts: 211
Location: Heidelberg, Germany (U.S. Army)
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Hi John,

A copy of Report and Record of the Operations of the Stafford House Committee for the Relief of Sick and Wounded Turkish Soldiers: Russo-Turkish War, 1877-78 (London: Spottiswoode, 1879) can be found in the:

Wellcome Library
Part of Wellcome Collection
183 Euston Road, London NW1 2BE, UK
T +44 (0)20 7611 8722
F +44 (0)20 7611 8369

I am not sure if this report is by Stoker, although the Wellcome Library does contain three other publications by George Stoker.

Good luck!

Cheers,
Harold
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Harold Raugh


Joined: 25 May 2008
Posts: 211
Location: Heidelberg, Germany (U.S. Army)
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Sorry, John, wrong book. I am sure you meant this one:

Report of the Stafford House South African Aid Committee: Zulu War, 1879, by J T C Ross; George Stoker; Stafford House South African Aid Committee. London: Spottiswoode, 1880.

The only copy I can seem to locate is held at the Australian War Memorial Research Center. It is only 32 pp. long, so you should be able to request a photocopy easily and inexpensively.

Cheers,
Harold
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John Young


Joined: 30 Aug 2005
Posts: 1020
Location: Lower Sheering, Essex
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Cheers Harold,

The Aussie one is the only one that pinged up when I did a web search, it appears that George's son, Henry, became a Lieutenant-Commander Royal Navy and served in the Australian Submarine Service and was captured by the Turks in the Dardenelles, 25th April 1915.

I wonder if it were his?

John Y.
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Harold Raugh


Joined: 25 May 2008
Posts: 211
Location: Heidelberg, Germany (U.S. Army)
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Hi John,

Thank you. I wouldn't be surprised if the Australian War Memorial copy of the AZW Stafford House report belonged G. Stoker's son. It's a small world!

If you do get a copy of the AWM report, and it bears Henry's bookplate or signature, please let us know!

Cheers,
Harold
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joebratpunk


Joined: 01 Oct 2012
Posts: 1
Location: Exeter
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Hi,

I've just found this forum topic of conversation.... was any progress made on identifying the details of George Stoker's involvement, and publications relating to his various quazi-military roles?

I'm particularly interested from regards to the history of Sister Janet, who served in both campaigns involving the celebrated author's brother/.

Cheers
Joe
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rich


Joined: 01 May 2008
Posts: 897
Location: Long Island NY USA
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And as an aside for Harold..

I believe you did a book on Wavell, is that right? I thought I'd pick it up for my British general book area.

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Rich
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Harold Raugh


Joined: 25 May 2008
Posts: 211
Location: Heidelberg, Germany (U.S. Army)
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Hi Rich,
You are absolutely correct! My first book (based on my doctoral dissertation), was Wavell in the Middle East, 1939-1941: A Study in Generalship (London: Brassey's, 1993). This book has been out of print for many years (and used copies can be found on Abebooks.com and other book search engines), and I am glad to report it wil be republished in a paperback edition in a few months by the University of Oklahoma Press, a good academic publisher.
I hope you let me know what you think of it, Rich!
All the best,
Harold
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rich


Joined: 01 May 2008
Posts: 897
Location: Long Island NY USA
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Very good Harold....thanks for the tip!..interesting fellow I'd say!..well generals usually are.... Wink

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Harold Raugh


Joined: 25 May 2008
Posts: 211
Location: Heidelberg, Germany (U.S. Army)
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Thanks, Rich. I think you'll find Wavell more interesting, and more enigmatic, than most British generals.
Cheers,
Harold
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Peter Ewart


Joined: 31 Aug 2005
Posts: 1797
Location: Near Canterbury, Kent, England.
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Indeed, Harold. And it's not every general who compiles and publishes an anthology of his favourite poetry in the middle of such a war, even if he were "in between jobs", so to speak. Although originally intended only for his family, Wavell's efforts at this time - between his Middle East command and his responsibilities in the struggle against Japan - were unusual to say the least, even if the writing of poetry by soldiers during war is not at all uncommon.

Other Men's Flowers is one of my favourite anthologies of verse and it's the first thing I think of when Wavell is mentioned - that and his encouragement of Wingate.

Peter
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Harold Raugh


Joined: 25 May 2008
Posts: 211
Location: Heidelberg, Germany (U.S. Army)
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Hi Peter,
You are absolutely correct about Wavell's poetry anthology, Other Men's Flowers. It was published in 1944 by Jonathan Cape when Wavell was Viceroy of India. An old school Wykehamist, Wavell claimed that he knew every poem in the anthology by heart. He included one of his own poems in the anthology, his sole original contribution among "other men's flowers."
There is much more to learn about Wavell, and I believe (although all my AZW materials are packed, having recently relocated) Wavell's father, Archibald Graham Wavell (a careeer Army officer who retired as a major general) served in the Norfolk Regiment in the AZW.
Thanks again.
Cheers,
Harold
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Martin Everett


Joined: 01 Sep 2005
Posts: 786
Location: Brecon
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Do not forget 'Allenby: Soldier and Stateman' by APW

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Martin Everett
Brecon, Powys
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rich


Joined: 01 May 2008
Posts: 897
Location: Long Island NY USA
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two for the shelves..thx for that Martin...

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Rich
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Peter Ewart


Joined: 31 Aug 2005
Posts: 1797
Location: Near Canterbury, Kent, England.
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Harold

Your little aside about Wavell's father surprised me. The Norfolk Reg't had, I believe, been the 9th Foot before Cardwell's reforms, and I didn't think the 9th (or the East Norfolks as they were also known at the time) had been involved in the AZW. Perhaps Wavell had been there with another regiment?

I see that Adrian Fort's recent biography of Wavell also claims his father "fought in the Zulu War", having joined the Norfolk Reg't. (I haven't got that work but squeezed an extract out of google books). The website "Peerage" also claims this man served in the Zulu War as well as the Basuto (Gun) War, etc. It cites Pine's Extinct Peerage (1971) for this. Was he there all the time but attached to another unit, perhaps, as seems likely, such as in the cases of Smith-Dorrien & his like on the 1st invasion or, say, Dawnay in the 2nd?

After posting the above, I see Keith Smith's LGOs mention him (p162) when the break up of the various columns was announced in July 1879, and he is listed among those who "will be provided with passages to England." These had been employed on special service or were on the Staff of a Div or Bde. So he had been there (Crealock's coastal column, perhaps?) and then rejoined his 9th.

Someone here, perhaps Keith Smith or John Young, might know the details of his AZW service?

Peter
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Dr. George Stoker's Stafford House Report
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