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James Arthur Sturges, known as Gus to his friends

Heads of the Sturges dynasty, Arthur and Sarah, with their sons, from left, Augustus, Arthur and James in 1890

The Mayor's Procession in 1909. James Arthur Sturges (1st) is third from the left

Colours on parade at Abbeyville, France, in 1919. Gus Sturges is on the far right

The Freedom of the City parade for members of the Armed Forces in Derby Market Place in 1946. James Sturges (3rd), of Harrogate, is third from the left in the colour party

These remarkable pictures show three generations of the Sturges family who all served with the Sherwood Foresters in an unbroken line from 1863 to 1947, seeing action in the Boer War and two world wars. They were sent in by James Sturges, formerly of Derby and now living in Harrogate, who enlisted in the Foresters himself in 1943. Pat Parkin reports

Families with several serving members of the Armed Forces are understandably proud of their record, but there must be few who can compete with the Sturgeses of Derby who had seven members serving continuously across two centuries.

The family’s connection with the Sherwood Foresters began in 1863 and went through three generations in an unbroken line until 1947. Altogether, grandfather, sons and grandsons served for a total of 138 years, gaining 22 medals between them and fighting in three major wars.

James Arthur Sturges (3rd), formerly of Coleridge Street, Derby, and now living in Harrogate, contacted the Derby Evening Telegraph's Bygones team to tell the story of his family’s long and proud service history which is recorded in the regimental journal of the Sherwood Foresters , the Forester magazine.

“It is a record to be proud of,” said James, “especially that of my father who, at one time, was almost certainly the most senior RSM in the Army.

“He was also called James Arthur, but was affectionately known as Gus – not surprising really because, like many families at that time, the same Christian name was shared by several generations and could cause great confusion.

“I am pleased to report it stopped when I named my son,” he laughed.

Gus served in the Foresters for 31 years and became Regimental Sergeant Major at Normanton Barracks, a rank he held for 15 years.

He enlisted in 1914 and served honourably in both world wars. He was among the forces sent to Ireland to quell the Easter Rebellion in 1916, served in France and then, in 1919, re-enlisted in the regular Army.

At the outbreak of the Second World War, he was offered a commission but declined with the comment: “Once a ranker, always a ranker.”

He was awarded the MBE in 1941 and, at the end of the war, worked as a civil servant with the War Department and the Ministry of Housing until retiring in 1967. He received numerous medals and awards during his war years and was a first-class marksman, taking part many times in the Forces Shooting Championships at Bisley. He was also an accomplished fencer.

During his later years he was on the committee of the Derby Wednesday Football League and was closely involved with the Foresters Old Comrades’ Association.

The family’s links with the Army began in 1863 when Arthur Edward Sturges gave up his job as a railway clerk to enlist in the 95th Foot at Dublin.

He moved to Normanton Barracks in Derby where he met his wife, Sarah Davies, a midwife, who became an important contributor to the regiment by helping bring into the world many young Foresters .

In 1868, Sarah and their first-born baby son travelled with Arthur, and the regiment, on an epic and horrendous journey to India on two boats and a train, during which they suffered illness, saw great suffering and their baby died.

They were then marooned for weeks in India because of cholera, before they could join the regiment in the north.

Throughout their ordeal, Arthur retained a sense of humour.

In one letter home, he wrote: “They vary the meals by giving us meat and potatoes one day and potatoes and meat the next, so you see we do have changes.”

Describing his tropical uniform, he wrote:

“You would be immensely amused if you saw my mid-day rig; imagine a helmet the police wear at home only white; a jacket and trousers same colour and something between a sailor and baker in cut.

“I do not believe that even Satan could wear a suit of clothes in this country weighing more than 2lbs.”

One bright spot in those wretched years was the birth of another son, James Arthur (Gus), who arrived in February 1870. When Arthur wrote home to Derby telling them the good news, he said he hoped they would all be home for Christmas.

It was Arthur and Sarah’s three sons, James, Augustus and Arthur who followed their father’s lead in to the Foresters , all serving in the South African Boer War, from which they had the good fortune to return safely.

James, who had been born in India, enlisted at the age of 14, became a drill instructor and served with the Foresters for 27 years before joining Derby Borough Police. There he became an inspector training recruits and served for many years.

Augustus served for a total of 24 years in three separate sessions, reaching the rank of Sergeant and serving for four years in the First World War. He was later employed at the Westminster Bank in Derby until retiring in 1935.

Arthur (2nd), known as Big Arthur as he was more than six feet tall, served with the Foresters for 21 years. He was invalided home from South Africa, wounded in the First World War and then, after returning to France, was invalided home again in 1916, a year before his death.

He was chief cheer leader for the successful 2nd Battalion soccer team, which was the Army Cup winners for two years in succession.

Gus’ son, James Arthur (3rd), who sent in the information, was, as a teenager, company sergeant major of Littleover Army Cadets Unit before he enlisted in the Foresters in 1943, becoming a sergeant responsible for training new recruits.

After a short spell with Derbyshire Police, he emigrated to Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) where he lived for 50 years, working as a psychiatric nurse until he returned to England in 2002. His sister, Mrs Violet Holbrook, still lives in Derby.

The last Sturges in the list was his cousin, Ronald, who served for two years with the Midland Brigade Training Centre and three years with the 5th Foresters before becoming a senior civil servant with EFTA in Geneva. He now lives in retirement in Luxembourg.

If you remember the Sturges family or know anyone with a long family connection with the Sherwood Foresters, you can post your memories on You&Yesterday by creating a new article, or by clicking the 'discussion' link above and then adding your comment.

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