62615 Pte Frederick Stevenson, Labour Corps

Frederick Stevenson, a resident of Chailey, enlisted at Chichester (date unknown) and became 34229 Private Frederick Stevenson, Royal Fusiliers.  Chailey Parish Magazine first notes him as serving with the 36th Battalion in England in July 1916.  By January 1917, he was attached to the 10th Labour Battalion, Royal Engineers, and by December that year was serving with the 105th Labour Battalion of The Labour Corps. 

Frederick Stevenson died of sickness on April 12th 1918.  Chailey Parish Magazine reported that his death had taken place one day earlier and in France but he actually died in England and is buried in the now redundant church yard of St Mary’s Church, North Chailey.  His Labour Corps number was 62615, although his headstone (above) gives his Royal Fusiliers details.

Three men killed in a week

April 1917 saw the British Army launching its assault at Arras. As far as Chailey was concerned, it would mourn three more of its sons.

Alfred Bird of the 3rd Dragoons was killed on the 11th April and has no known grave. He is commemorated on the Arras Memorial. The following day, Albert Selby of the Royal Engineers died of multiple shell wounds. He was a regular soldier who had enlisted in 1910 at the age of 15. He is buried in Bethune Town Cemetery.

On 17th April, Frederick Smith of the 4th Suffolk Regiment was killed in action at Arras. He too is commemorated on the Arras Memorial. Three of his brothers were also killed in action during WW1.

Finally, a year later, on 12th April 1918, Frederick Stevenson of The Labour Corps, died at home in Chailey. He is buried in St Mary's Churchyard, north Chailey. Truly a black week for this small Sussex community.