Name
Ernest William Stevens
25 May 1886
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
15/09/1916
34
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
22435
Bedfordshire Regiment
"C" Coy. 8th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
SERRE ROAD CEMETERY No.2
XXXIII F 9
France
Headstone Inscription
No Report
UK & Other Memorials
Flamstead Village Memorial, St Mary the Virgin Church Roll of Honour, Flamstead, St Leonard's Church Roll of Honour, Flamstead, Not on the Markyate memorials, Luton Hoo Memorial, Luton, Beds.
Pre War
(Ernest) William Stevens was born in Markyate on 25 May 1886 (baptised 15 Jul 1886) to William Stevens labourer, and Amy (nee Clifton).
On the 1891 Census the family of parents, Eliza (born 1881), Annie (born 1883), Elizabeth (Lizzie, born 1884), and William were living at London Road, Flamstead.
On the 1901 Census still living on London Road but now designated as Markyate the family consisted of parents, Eliza, Annie, Elizabeth, William, Walter (born 1892) and Archibald (born 1899).
William married Clara Jane Bandy on 12 Nov 1910.
On the 1911 Census William, Clara and son Ernest Wilfred were living at Pie Corner Flamstead. His parents, Eliza (hat Machinist), Elizabeth (farm labourer), and Archibald were living at 57 London Road, Markyate.
William worked in Clerk of Works Dept on Luton Hoo Estate. There would further children for William and Clara : Arthur W (born 18 Jun 1912) and Constance May (born 24 Dec 1915)
Wartime Service
No Service record was found for William, he probably volunteered in early 1915 as private 22435 in the Bedfordshire Regiment and joined the 8th (service Battalion in C Company soon after its formation at Bedford. The battalion became part of 16 Brigade 6th Division on 17 Nov 1915. In 1916 the Division took part in the Battle of the Somme in the phase of Battle of Flers-Courcelette (15-22 Sep 1916).
Extract from War Diary: ‘Relieved 8th Middlesex in trenches north-east of Leuze Wood (12/9). Two attacks made on The Quadrilateral (13/9) - B Company bombing its way about 100 yards along German trench at 6am but forced to retire. Later, in frontal attack, enemy driven in from his advance post but Quadrilateral not taken.. Renewed attack (15/9) also failed. Withdrew to reserve trenches south-east of Guillemont. Casualties since (13/9) - about 400 To Maltz Horn Farm (16/9), trenches south-east of Guillemontin reserve (18/9). ‘
William’s death was presumed to have occurred on or since 15 Sep 1916.
Additional Information
War Gratuity of £14 and arrears of £8 7s 11d to his widow Clara.
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
Jonty Wild, Simon Goodwin, Gareth Hughes, Anne & Gordon Mead, Felicity Brimblecombe
