Friends of the Somme - Mid Ulster Branch  
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3075   Corporal Cornelius Charles Stimpson
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Dated added: 08/03/2018   Last updated: 27/12/2020
Personal Details
Regiment/Service: Hong Kong Volunteer Defence Corps (Hong Kong Army)
Died: 27/08/1943 (Prisoner of War)
Age: 40
Summary      
Cornelius Charles Stimpson was the son of Charles Henry and Sarah Jane Stimpson. He was born about 1903 in England. All the children were born in England. By 1911 the family were living in Magherafelt. Cornelius later became the husband of Margaret Isobel Stimpson. Corporal Cornelius Stimpson served with the Hong Kong Volunteer Defence Corps in World War Two. He was captured by the Japanese at Christmas 1941. Corporal Cornelius Charles Stimpson died a prisoner of war on 27th August 1943.
Further Information
Cornelius Charles Stimpson was the only son of Charles Henry and Sarah Jane Stimpson. Charles Henry Stimson was born in Sheffield about 1866. He married Sarah Jane Wilkinson about 1891 in Sheffield.
The 1901 English census records the family in Staveley, Derbyshire.
Family: Charles Henry Stimpson, Sarah Jane Stimpson, Hilda Stimpson (born about 1892), Dorothy Stimpson (born about 1894), May Stimpson (born about 1896), Cornelius Charles Stimpson (born about 1903).
Cornelius Charles Stimpson was born about 1903 in England. All the children were born in England.
The 1911 census lists Cornelius as age 8, living with the family at house 26 in Townparks, Magherafelt. Townparks district was the centre of Magherafelt. Charles was a railway inspector.
Cornelius attended the Rainey School circa 1915.
Cornelius Stimpson became the husband of Eileen Hutchinson of Magherafelt.
Around 1937, Mr and Mrs Stimpson emigrated from Magherafelt to China to take up an appointment under the Colonial Office as a Permanent Way Inspector on the Canton and Kowloon Railway.
Mr Stimpson joined the Hong Kong Defence Force as a volunteer some time before war became imminent in the Far East.
His wife Eileen was evacuated from Hong Kong to Australia and their sonn was born shortly after her arrival there, around 1940.
Corporal Cornelius Stimpson served with the Hong Kong Volunteer Defence Corps in World War Two.
On account of his knowledge of railway construction work he was assigned to the Royal Engineers for demolition duties.
Corporal Stimpson was captured by the Japanese on 25th December 1941.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 5th December 1942: Prisoner of War
Newspaper report
The relatives of Mr Connie Stimpson have got word from the Colonial Office that he is now a prisoner of war. Mr and Mrs Stimpson emigrated from Magherafelt to China just before the outbreak of war, on his appointment to the important position of Inspector of Railways at Kowloon. His wife and young son were evacuated from Hong Kong to Australia, just in time, and until the present news arrived, there was no information forthcoming regarding Mr Stimpson. The news, it may be mentioned, was received through the International Red Cross from the Japanese authorities. Mr Stimpson is a brother-in-law of Mr Richard Paul of Magherafelt and his father will be remembered as railway inspector at Magherafelt. And he and his family are well remembered by many friends.
Cornelius’ father died in March 1943.
Corporal Cornelius Charles Stimpson died a prisoner of war on 27th August 1943, aged 40. The cause of death was given as avitaminosis, a general medical term describing any disease is caused by a vitamin deficiency in the diet, implying malnutrition.
Argyle Street Prisoner of War camp
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 30th October 1943: Obituary – Mr C C Stimpson, Late of Magherafelt
Notification of the death of Mr Cornelius Charles Stimpson in Hong Kong Prisoner of War Camp has been received from the Colonial Office via the International Red Cross. Mr Stimpson joined the Hong Kong Defence Force as a volunteer some time before war became imminent in the Far East, and on account of his knowledge of railway construction work he was assigned to the Royal Engineers for demolition duties. Some six years ago he took up an appointment under the Colonial Office as a Permanent Way Inspector on the Canton and Kowloon Railway. His previous experience on the L.M.S. Railway (N.C.C.) enables him to be of great service, and after a short interval, he was admitted to the permanent staff. His wife, who was Miss Eileen Hutchinson, of Magherafelt, was evacuated to Australian about twelve months before the Japanese opened hostilities. A son was born shortly after her arrival there and is now about three years of age. Son of the late Mr and Mrs C H Stimpson of Brookvale, Magherafelt, the late Mr Stimpson was predeceased by his father some five months. The cause of death is given as avitaminosis, which can only mean slow starvation.
At the time of his death, his wife and son were living at 24 Bark Street, 5 Flatside, St Kilda, Melbourne, Australia.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 30th October 1943: Roll of Honour – Died a Prisoner of War
STIMPSON – At Hong Kong Camp on 27th August 1943, Cornelius Charles Stimpson, Royal Engineers, Hong Kong Defence Force, only son of the late Mr and Mrs C H Stimpson of Magherafelt. Beloved Husband of Eileen (nee Hutchinson), 24 Bark Street, 5 Flatside, St Kilda, Melbourne, Australia.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 30th October 1943:
STIMPSON – Cornelius Charles, much loved brother of Hilda Cathcart, Dorothy Stimpson and May McAlester (of prolonged privation)
Corporal Cornelius Stimpson was initially buried in a small cemetery at the Argyle Street P.O.W. camp in Kowloon, Hong Kong.
Reinterrment Report
Corporal Cornelius Charles Stimpson was later reinterred at Stanley Military Cemetery in Hong Kong on 29th May 1957. His inscription reads: THY WILL BE DONE
The CWGC record Corporal Cornelius Charles Stimpson as the son of Charles Henry and Sarah Jane Stimpson. He is also recorded as the husband of Margaret Isobel Stimpson of Leeds, Yorkshire.
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References and Links
No Link Reference Map Doc
1 1911 census lists Stimpson family Lists Corneilous as age 8 living with the family at house 26 in Townparks, Magherafelt, Londonderry
2 British Far East PoW Roll Details of Corporal Cornelius Stimpson POW
3 Gwulo: Old Hong Kong Photo of Argyle Street Camp
4 Rootschat forum Discussion about the family
5 War Graves Photographic Project Photo of Corporal Cornelius Charles Stimpson's grave can be purchased here
6 Wikipedia - Argyle Street Camp Brief details of the POW Camp
Magherafelt District's War Dead Acknowledgements 2014-2023