Name
Walter John Stevens
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
20/07/1917
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
201369
Bedfordshire Regiment
1st/5th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Searched but not found
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
GAZA WAR CEMETERY
XXX. A. 9.
Israel and Palestine (including Gaza)
Headstone Inscription
No Report
UK & Other Memorials
Harpenden Town Memorial
Pre War
Walter John was born in 1881 in Blunham, Bedfordshire to John Stevens, railway signalman, and Mary Ann (nee Gibbs). Walter was the second son of 5 brothers and 3 sisters.
On the 1901 Census Walter was still living with the family and described as a grocer’s porter. Walter married Daisy Norman in 1910. On the 1911 Census he was listed as a domestic gardener and boarding at Heath Road St Albans, while Daisy was visiting her parents in Blunham, Beds.
Wartime Service
Walter was enlisted as Private 201369 in the Bedfordshire Regiment. He was posted to 1/5 Battalion Beds who were in Egypt during 1916 having been at Gallipoli during that campaign and spent the year guarding the Suez Canal.
In March 1917 they joined the Palestine Campaign at Gaza. On the 20 Jul 1917 the 1/5 were preparing a raid against the Turkish positions at Umbrella Hill. While the raiders were assembling Turkish artillery opened fire and caused many casualties. The Raid was carried out with few casualties. Walter was killed in this action.
Additional Information
War Gratuity of £11 and arrears of £7 2s 8d paid to his widow.
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
Jonty Wild, Mary Skinner, Harpenden & District Local History Society (www.harpenden-history.org.uk)
