The
9th Royal Sussex was a New Army battalion formed at Chichester in September 1914. It formed part of the 73rd Brigade
in the 24th Division and first saw action when rushed up at the
Battle of Loos on 26th
September 1915 . It seems
probable that Private Stevens was one of the 24th Division’s many
casualties on that day and, if so, means that he would only have been overseas
a few days before being captured.
He
is probably William H Stevens who, at the time the 1901 census was taken, was
living with his family at Wapsbourne Garden Cottage. The household comprised James Stevens (head,
aged 45, working as a farm labourer), his wife Ellen Stevens (aged 40) and
their four children: Alice Stevens (aged ten), William (aged eight), James
Stevens (aged five) and Frank Stevens (aged three). There were other children too, not living at
Wapsbourne in 1901. The 1891 census
notes Annie K Stevens (aged six) and Emily J Stevens (aged four).
Living
close by at Wapsbourne Farm Cottage were William’s cousins and his uncle and
aunt.
Their
household comprised John Stevens (head, aged 40, working as a thrashing engine
driver), his wife Sarah (aged 41) and their four children: Albert Stevens (aged
13, working as a stock boy on a farm), Margaret Stevens (aged 11), William
Stevens (aged six) and George Stevens (aged two).
Chailey
Parish Magazine notes nine men with the surname Stevens who served their King
and Country during the First World War.
If W Stevens is William H Stevens, his brother Frank certainly served
(and was killed in action) and so too possibly did James (if the J Stevens
mentioned by Chailey Parish magazine is the same James Stevens). In addition it seems likely that his cousins Albert,
George and William Stevens also served.
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