More on Stanley and Benjamin

Rippingales in Ontario - Genealogy

Stanley Rippingale was born October 13 1897. He joined the Canadian Expeditionary Force (57th Regiment) on November 10 1915. For some reason his father's name is given as 'Elped' on his Attestation Paper. His occupation was 'Farm Laborer'.

Benjamin Rippingale was born March 18 1895. He joined the CEF on December 18 1915. His occupation was the same.

Both lived with parents at 464 Parnell Street, Peterborough.

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Why I started this blog

Richard Wilcocks writes:

The photos below are selections from a battered old album I inherited from my grandparents. They were sent to them before and after the First World War by old friend and relative Alfred Rippingale, who had emigrated with his family to Ontario, Canada, at the beginning of the last century. Alfred (born 1872) was an old friend of my grandfather (mother's side) James Smith: both of them were born in Gestingthorpe, Essex, where there were many family connections, both of them were skilled agricultural horsemen and both of them moved out of Essex to Bickley, Kent at the turn of the century. The Smiths lived at 3, and the Rippingales lived at 28, Blackbrook Lane, to be exact.

I assume that the agricultural opportunities were better for a while in Kent. My mother Amy was born there in 1909, but the Smiths moved on soon afterwards to live on the edge of Rainham, back in Essex, and the Rippingale family embarked for Canada, ending up in Peterborough. The work was agricultural, and I assume that it was to be found in the vicinity of Otonabee or Keane, which is where the war memorial is situated. Otonabee is a short drive away from the city.

I remember my mother telling me at an early age that there had been a tragedy during the Great War, of course one of millions: Alfred's two sons Ben and Stan had eagerly joined up in 1916, becoming members of the Central Ontario Regiment. They had been sent across the Atlantic to France to fight the Germans - perhaps they were involved in the assaults on Vimy Ridge - and had both been killed by the same shell, on July 16, 1917. They are officially listed as Pte. Benjamin Alfred Rippingale and Pte. Stanley Horace Rippingale, but they must have switched their first and middle names at some time, because they were originally Alfred Benjamin and Horace Stanley. Alfred's first wife was called Agnes, and so was his daughter. I have yet to find the younger son's name.

If you recognise anyone in these photos or if you have any relevant information, I would be very pleased to hear from you. Email me at heveliusx1@yahoo.co.uk or leave a comment. Put RIPPINGALE in the subject line.

The complete album is on Photobox. I'll provide a link if you ask.

Click on any of the photos below to enlarge them.

Below, Alfred and Agnes Rippingale -

The first house they lived in - 464 Parnell Street, Peterborough.

On the farm near Otonabee?

Stan (slightly taller) and Ben with father's second wife Elizabeth, sister Agnes Lily and younger brother Dennis Fenn Rippingale:

Stan and Ben with father's second wife Elizabeth, father and younger brother Dennis carrying Union flag:

Official army photo. Stan on our left :

Graves in the Pas de Calais, France (near Béthune):

Names on the Otonabee Memorial:

Family automobile (1920s) Alfred with pet dog:

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Email heveliusx1@yahoo.co.uk