"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old.
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them".
Frederick James, and Charles Stevens were born in Maidenhead, Berkshire on 29th September 1895 and 13th October 1892, to Charles W Stevens, a labourer in a sewage works and later Cooper's Brick Kilns, Pinkney's Green, and his wife Elizabeth Susan Cole.
In 1901 Frederick aged 5 and Charles aged 7 are living with their parents and sister Lily at No 5 Dolman's Buildings, King Street in Maidenhead Berkshire.
1911 and Frederick, now 15 and a caddy at a local golf course, is still living with his parents at No 5 Dolman's Buildings. Charles, now a private in The Royal Berkshire Regiment can be found at Fort Burgoyne, The Red Huts, Military Quarters at Castle Hill in Dover.
Sometime afterwards Frederick joined his brother in 1st Battalion of The Royal Berkshire Regiment.
It seems that their father didn't take to their joining the war effort too well. On 3rd October 1914, The Slough, Eton and Windsor Observer reported -
"Maidenhead. Attempted Suicide
Worried about His Son At The Front.
Lying face downwards with a razor in his right hand and three gashes in his neck, a man named Charles Stevens was discovered in a semi-conscious condition on the common at Pinkney's Green. For reasons which at present are unknown he had attempt to take his life, but the wounds were not sufficiently severe to serve his purpose, and he is now at the Maidenhead Cottage Hospital making rapid progress towards recovery. When he is in a fit condition he will be brought before the magistrates to answer for his foolish action. The man is 44 years of age and is in lodgings at Pinkney's Green. He is employed at Cooper's Brick Kiln. It is thought that among other things he has been worrying about his son at the front."
Unfortunately I have been unable to locate any military records for either Frederick or Charles.
Frederick was wounded in battle and sent to
The General Hospital in Nottingham. From his hospital ward Frederick penned a letter home. The Reading Mercury reported on 9th January 1915 -
"Maidenhead Man Wounded - The following is an extract from a letter sent by Private F. Stevens of the 1st Battalion Royal Berkshire Regiment (son of Mr. C. Stevens, 5, Dolman's-buildings, Maidenhead) who was badly wounded at the front, and is now in the General Hospital at Nottingham: 'My upper jaw has been broken and my left eye is useless. I have been in this hospital since November 22, and I am progressing as well as can be expected. The hospital authorities cared for us very well this Christmas and I enjoyed myself very well under the circumstances. The people of Nottingham are very good indeed to all the wounded here.'
Sadly, Private Frederick was to die as a result of his wounds on January 12th 1915, aged just 21 years.
The Nottingham Journal later reported on Friday 15th January 1915:
"The relatives of Private Frederick James Stevens, of the Royal Berkshire Regiment, who died in Nottingham General Hospital on Tuesday from wounds received at the front have arranged for his body to be conveyed to Maidenhead for burial. This will be done to-day. Stevens was only 21 years of age, his home being Dalman's Buildings, King-street, Maidenhead. He was shot through the right [sic] eye, and had been in Nottingham since November 22nd."
On 20th January 1915 the Maidenhead Advertiser reported on Frederick's funeral at All Saints' Church, Boyn Hill, Maidenhead:
"Mortally Wounded.
Military Funeral For Brave Berkshire Lad.
First War Victim Brought to Maidenhead for Burial
With their rifles pointed towards the setting sun, which transformed the western sky into a blaze of light, fourteen Royal Berkshires fired three volleys over the grave of a comrade laid to rest in All saints' churchyard on Monday afternoon last, thereby according him the last honours associated with a military funeral.
The brave young fellow, who was mortally wounded when fighting for King and Country in the great war, was Private Fred Stevens, of 1st Batt. Royal Berks. Regt., now fighting in the trenches. He was badly wounded a short time ago and was brought to England and taken to the General Hospital at Nottingham. Writing from this institution to his parents, who reside at 5, Dolman's buildings, High Town-road, Maidenhead, the soldier said:- 'My upper jaw has been broken and my left eye is useless. I have been in this hospital since November 22, and I am progressing as well as can be expected. The hospital authorities cared for us very well this Christmas and I enjoyed myself very well under the circumstances. The people of Nottingham are very good indeed to all the wounded here, and I am well-cared for by the hospital staff.' The latter statement is true, as the hospital staff did all they possibly could for the lad and his recovery seemed but a question of time, though permanent disablement seemed probable. Fortunately, however, Private Stevens passed away suddenly, a telegraph to this effect being received from the Sister at the General Hospital at Nottingham on Tuesday last. Needless to add, the sad news caused his parents much grief. We may here state that the deceased's brother is still at the Front with the 2nd Royal Berks and has also been in the thick of the fighting.
The body was brought to Maidenhead for burial and the funeral took place on Monday afternoon, with military honours. The funeral procession was formed in High Town-road, and its departure for Boyne Hill was witnessed by many hundreds of persons, this being the first funeral in Maidenhead of a victim of the present war. A bearer party was supplied by the 4th (Reserve( Batt. Royal Berks Regiment, stationed at Maidenhead, who also supplied the firing party, while about eighty of the rank and file attended to pay a last mark of respect for the deceased soldier.
At the close of the service at the graveside, the firing party fired three volleys, and then the bugler sounded the "Last Post." After the mourners had taken a last look at the coffin, the soldiers passed round the grave, saluted their deceased comrade and then marched back to their headquarters."
Charles rose to the rank of Acting Lance Sergeant before he was killed at the battle of Bourlon Wood as a result of enemy action on 29th November 1917, aged just 25 years. Charles is buried in the Moeuvers Communal Cemetery in France. On 19th December 1917 the Maidenhead Advertiser reported:
"Acting Lance-Sergt. Charles Stevens, of the Royal Berks Regiment, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Stevens, of 5, Dolman's Buildings, King-street [sic], Maidenhead, was killed in action on November 29th. He had distinguish himself for bravery in the field in the earlier part of the war and was the possessor both of the Distinguished Conduct Medal and the Military Medal. Lieut. E. C. de Vitre, writing to Mrs. Stevens says: By now you have doubtless heard the sad news of the death, in action, of your son, and I thought that you might care to hear from one who was with him when he was killed. Writing as his Platoon Officer, I can say without hesitation that he was by far the best N.C.O. in the platoon, and, more than that, I and all the men liked and trusted him completely. It will be quite impossible to ever find another as he was. The men would follow anywhere, and his coolness and bravery under fire were exceptional. He was killed by a sniper as he led his men to his objective and had begun to dig in. His death was instantaneous and entirely without pain, and the bullet went through his brain, it is impossible that he could have felt anything. We brought his body in that night and buried him beside two other men of his section who met their end at almost the same time as he did. He was buried by our Regimental parson and a wooden cross makes his grave. I hope I have not caused you any pain by what I have written, but I should like you to know how I and all the men miss him and sympathise with you in your great loss."
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Charles Stevens War Grave
Moeuvres Communal Cemetery |
Charles Stevens Sr passed away on 15th November 1924 after collapsing in Maidenhead High Street. On 19th November 1924 the Maidenhead Advertiser reported:
"Death In The Street.
On Saturday evening an elderly man named Charles Stevens, of Dolman's Buildings, King-street, was taken ill in the High-street, and before medical aid could arrive death had taken place, and the body was removed on the borough ambulance. The man's doctor was able to give a certificate, having attended Stevens for heart-disease, so that no inquest was necessary. Stevens had been for many years a Corporation employee."
How heartbreaking for Elizabeth to lose two sons to war and then her husband not long afterwards. The widowed Elizabeth can be found on the 1939 Register living at 3 Hope Cottages, King Street, Maidenhead. Elizabeth finally joined her husband and sons in 1949 when she passed away aged 82.
