Staff Sergeant Harold Edward Studman Hertfordshire Yeomanry and Royal Artillery
The Man Harold Edward Studman was born on Sunday 27th January 1901 at 24 Queen Street, Hitchin, Hertfordshire. Son of Daniel George a Butcher and Eva nee Gates. He was Christened on 17th February 1901 at St Mary’s Church, Hitchin and the eldest of three children, Agnes Lavinia born in 1904 and William Henry 1909. By 1911 the family were living at 17 Old Park Road, Hitchin and following his schooling, Harold worked for the Ascot Motor Company. In 1921 he enlisted into the 86th Brigade Royal Field Artillery Territorial Army as part of 344th (Hitchen) Battery Hertfordshire Yeomanry and with service number 734840.(from a block 721,001 – 1,842,000 allocated to the RA). During 1923 he won third place in the King’s Cup and awarded a silver medallion. During 1925 in Hitchin he married Vera Minnie Green and they had two children Donald Harold born in 1925 and Pamela Minnie 1932. Harold was awarded the Efficiency Medal ‘Territorial’ in 1933 Army Order 138/33 and the 1939 census shows Vera living with her family at the Post Office, 99 Ickleford Road, Hitchin. Harold does not appear and had probably already been called up in readiness for World War II having transferred to the Royal Army Service Corps and promoted to Staff Sergeant. He saw service at home and was awarded the first clasp to his Efficiency Medal in Army Order 29 of 1940. At the end of the War he was awarded the Defence Medal and War Medal 1939-1945. In later life Harold and Eva lived at 2 Harkness Way Hitchin, and Harold died on 23rd January 1981 aged 80, just four days before his 81st Birthday and Minnie lived another five years and died on 1st March 1986. He left a net value of £35857.25 (approx. £123,000 in 2020).
The Story The medals awarded to Harold Edward Studman were purchased in September 1993 from John Richardson in Coventry. They came with a letter and an engraved King’s Cup medallion, confirming his service with the 86th Brigade Royal Field Artillery. Some correspondence with the 201 (Hertfordshire & Bedfordshire Yeomanry) Field Battery Royal Artillery (Volunteers) also provided further minor detail. Sadly, at the time of looking little else could be found on Ancestry.UK, and without a first name it was difficult to be more specific when searching. However, a review of Ancestry.UK during the 2020 ‘lock down’ proved more successful! It was quickly established that his full name was Harold Edward Studman and the usual range of biographical detail downloaded. The 1939 census, even though Harold did not appear on it presumably having been already ‘called up’, showed his wife, living at the same address that was on the original letter with the group, thus confirming it was the correct person.Most satisfying of all were several family trees, one of which contained the highly prized picture of Harold. 39 years after his death and 27 after the acquisition of his medals, Harold Edward Studman may now be added in some detail to the ranks of those recognised for their service and life.
Medal Details:
- Defence Medal: Unnamed as awarded.
- War Medal 1939-45: Unnamed as awarded.
- Efficiency Medal: 734840 BMBR. H.E.STUDMAN. R.A.
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This page last updated 18 Jun 20