Lance Corporal Frederick Daniel Stephens

Frederick Daniel Stephens was born in Battersea on 20th October 1891 and Baptised at St. Mark in Battersea on 30th April 1892. His parents Henry who worked as a plumber and Sarah nee Priest had married on 28th December 1887 and by the time Frederick was born, they already had two children: Ellen and Margaret and were living at 2 Oakbury Road, in Fulham.

By 1894 the family had moved to 44 Mallinson Road, and a further child called Alice had been born. Another child named Annie followed a few years later.

On 3rd July 1899 Frederick aged six was registered at Belleville Road School, the same school his two older sisters were attending. All three children left in the June of 1901.

In the census of 1901 Henry 48 was still working as a Plumber and Sarah 45 were living at 195 Mallinson Road, Battersea with their five children.

By 1911 parents Henry 57, Sarah 54 had been married for 23 years, and the family were living at 2 Cromer Road, a house with 5 rooms. As well as the five children two relatives were also living with them. Susan Wise (Henry’s sister) 52 working as a nurse, and Alice Wise Niece aged 22 working as a Postal Clerk. Frederick aged 19 was listed as a part time student /Doctors Boy

Frederick enlisted with 5th Durham Light Infantry on 8th February 1916 aged 24 and 4 months. He was given the service number 202175. His occupation was listed as a Dispenser and he was described as 5ft 6 tall with a chest measurement of 35 inches and weight of 128 lbs. He was still living at 2 Cromer Road, Mitcham with his parents.

His appointment was approved on 12th August 1916 at Kingston –Upon-Thames and Frederick was posted on the 14th of August 1916.

In August 1916, the 5th Battalion Durham Light Infantry was actively engaged in the Somme offensive on the Western Front. This was a major British offensive during World War I, and the Battalion along with other units was involved in intense fighting and would continue to fight in the Somme battles throughout the remainder of the year. By October 1916, the battalion was transferred to the Salonika front as a garrison unit. (Now part of modern-day Bulgaria.)

Frederick died on 4th December 1918, at the age of 27. He was serving as a Lance Corporal with the 2nd/5th Battalion. His death is recorded by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) that he was buried at Varna Bulgaria Sofia War Cemetery. He could well have been a prisoner of war.

In 1918, the Central Sofia Cemetery saw burials related to the aftermath of the Bulgarian capitulation in September. Specifically, the Sofia War Cemetery, part of the Central Cemetery, contains the graves of Commonwealth servicemen who died as prisoners of war or with the occupying forces.

Frederick’s name appears on the Mitcham War Memorial, and on his family Gravestone in London Road Cemetery, Mitcham.