Universities at War

Robert Stafford was born on 7 February 1890 in Bishopwearmouth, Sunderland, the son of Robert Henry Stafford and Ann Johnson Stafford of 79 Cleveland Road. He attended Sunderland Bede Collegiate Boys’ School 1904-1908 (including two years in the Pupil Teacher Section), and then Bede College 1910-1913, where he was a prefect in his final year. A noted oarsman, Stafford captained the Bede College rowing team. Enlisting into the 1/8^th Battalion of the Durham Light Infantry at Durham, he served as Private 2603. After leaving college he was employed as a schoolmaster at Simpson Street County School, Sunderland. Stafford was killed in action, aged 25, during the Second Battle of Ypres, probably at Gravenstafel Ridge. While the Commonwealth War Graves Commission reports his death as having occurred (or officially been confirmed) on 26 June 1915, The Bede magazine reports him missing before 31 May, and The Bedan, his school magazine, notes he was reported missing on 26 April, and officially reported killed in action between 28 April and 26 June. He has no known grave and is therefore commemorated on the Menin Gate at Ypres. His name is also found on the Bede School war memorial, Bede College 1914-1918 cross, plaque, and Roll of Honour, and in the memorial Book of Remembrance at Holy Trinity Church, Sunderland, and also in the National Union of Teachers War Record 1914-1919 (1920).