Private Ernest James Charles Stevens
| Date of Birth | 5 March 1894 |
|---|---|
| Age at Death | 24 |
| Date of Death | 30 March 1918 |
| Service Number | 31797 |
| Military Service | 12th Battalion East Surrey Regiment |
| Merton Address | |
| Local Memorial | St. Mark's Church, Mitcham |
Additional Information
Ernest was born on 5 March 1894 in Yiewsley, Middlesex and baptised on 25 March that year. His father, Thomas was a builder and the family, Thomas, Eliza his mother, big brother George, sisters Lily, May and Violet were all living at 49 Bell Year, Uxbridge at the time of the 1901 census. They had moved to 104 Lilian Road, Greyhound Lane by 1911 and Ernest had become a Carman.
He married Maud Florence Dickenson in April 1915 and their daughter Maud Violet was born in July the following year.
When the time came for Ernest to enlist in the Army he joined up as a Private in the 12th battalion of the East Surrey Regiment. They had been based in Italy since November 1917 but returned to France early in March 1918. They moved around the area of Mondecourt then on 29th March they moved via Gommecourt to relieve the 7th Manchester Regiment in support of the 124th Brigade in front of Bucqoy. The War Diaries report that the 30 March was a fairly quiet day but with some aerial activity and some shelling by the enemy.
Unfortunately, Ernest was killed on 30 March but his body could not be identified and he is commemorated on the Arras memorial and in St Mark’s Church, Mitcham.
Maud remarried and is shown on the Register of Soldier’s Effects as being Maud Lavey of 44 Streatham Road, by December 1919.