Dedicated to the memory of all the men and women of the South Staffordshire area who died during the two World Wars.
Richard Lawrence Luscombe Caunter was born in Banwell, Somerset in 1891. He was the son of Richard Lawrence Caunter and his wife Wilhelmina. By 1911 the family lived at 45 Mecklenburgh Square, London WC. Richard senior was a doctor in general practice. Richard junior was an agricultural student.
By the time of Richard's death the family had moved to Brewood, living in Bargate Close.
Richard served in the 7th Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment. He arrived in Gallipoli in August 1915. In January his Division was moved to Egypt and then moved to Mesopotamia to join the force for the relief of Kut. Richard died of wounds on the 18th December 1916, shortly after the commencement of the second Battle of Kut. He is buried in Amara War Cemetery, Iraq.
2nd Lieutenant Richard L L Caunter, 7th Gloucestershire Regiment, was awarded the Victory and British War Medals and the 1914/15 Star.
Lieutenant Caunter's brother also served in the Gloucestershire Regiment:
OFFICER'S ESCAPE FROM GERMANY. - Capt. J. A. L. Caunter of the GLoucestershire Regiment, and son of Dr R. L. Caunter, M.D., and Mrs Caunter of Bargate Close, Brewood, was taken prisoner a long period ago. He has recently escaped and experienced some thrilling adventures. He was a prisoner at Schwarmstedt Camp, near Hanover, where he had been a prisoner of war with 400 other officers sent there from Grenfeld. Capt. Caunter succeeded in escaping on June 19, and after a variety of exciting experiences and narrow escapes, he crossed the Dutch Frontier on July 2 and subsequently reached London safely. On arriving in England he was wearing the actual clothes that he wore as a prisoner of war in Germany. During 10 of the 13 days' journey across Germany he was accompanied by Capt. Fox. D.S.O. They crossed the frontier on the same day having met by accident at the start, though they were separated for the last 24 hours. It was a marvellous escape. Capt. Caunter is now at his house at Brewood. Dr. and Mrs. Caunter had only two sons. One (Lieut. Caunter, R.A.M.C. [sic]) died from wounds received in action in Mesopotamia some months ago. [Staffordshire Advertiser 28 July 1917]
This memorial has mostly been compiled from official sources. It would be good to be able to expand it with more personal material - memories, stories, photos, etc. If you have any suitable material or any corrections please contact Greg.