Name
William Fortescue Stephens
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
28/03/1918
22
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
20754
York and Lancaster Regiment
1st Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
STRUMA MILITARY CEMETERY
Plot IV, Row B, Grave 11.
Greece
UK & Other Memorials
Watford Borough Roll of Honour,
Watford Printers Memorial, Watford
Pre War
Son of Annie Matilda (nee SAMPSON) STEPHENS of Watford, and the late Robert Fortescue STEPHENS.
His parents married 22 February 1881 at All Saints, Upper Norwood, Surrey. Robert died 1908 in London aged 52, and was buried 9 March in Vicarage Road Cemetery, Watford; Annie died 1941 in Watford aged 81, and was buried 17 March, also in Vicarage Road Cemetery.
William was born 30 June 1895 in Watford, and baptised 1 September 1895 at St Mary’s, Watford. He resided in Watford.
On the 1901 Census, aged 5 he lived in Watford, with his parents and three siblings. On the 1911 Census, a milkman aged 16, he still lived in Watford, with his widowed mother and no siblings.
Wartime Service
He enlisted 31 August 1914 in Westminster, London, for Short Service (3 years with the Colours): a labourer aged 20, 5’7¾” tall, C of E.
He served at Home 31 August 1914 to 20 July 1915, and in France 21 July 1915 to 21 February 1916, when he was sent to England aboard H.S. Brighton suffering a severe case of trench foot.
He left hospital 17 March 1916 and re-embarked 14 June 1916.
He served again in France 15 June 1916 to 12 October 1917, when he was sent wounded to England aboard St Denis from 55 General Hospital, Boulogne.
He was posted to Salonika 25 December 1917 and died of a gun shot wound to the right leg at 40 Casualty Clearing Station, Salonika.
He was formerly Private 16619 Hussars, and was entitled to the Victory, British War and 1914-15 Star medals, his qualifying date being 21 July 1915.
Additional Information
William is possibly the W STEVENS commemorated by Watford Printers
Acknowledgments
Sue Carter (Research) and Watford Museum (ROH on line via www.ourwatfordhistory.org.uk)
