Alfred Leslie Stevens
He was educated at the Nottingham High School. In 1911 he was a manager (industry - 'tailor'), presumably in his father's business. He was a member of the Nottingham Rowing Club and University College Nottingham OTC.
- Family History
- Military history
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William was the youngest child of Alfred and Florence Stevens (née Baker).
His parents were married in 1885 (JAS Nottingham) and had three children, Alfred Leslie b. 3 February 1887, Florence Ida b. June 1888 and William Duncan birth registered 1891 AMJ.
Alfred (b. 1862), a tailor, his wife and their first child, Alfred (4), were living at 150 Alfreton Road, Nottingham, in 1891. Also in the household was a general domestic servant.
By 1901 Alfred, Florence and their three children, Alfred, Florence (12) and William (9) were living at 50 Burns Street, Nottingham. They employed one domestic servant.
The family had moved to 1 Sherwood Rise, Nottingham, by 1911 but only the eldest son, Alfred, was in the home on the night of the census. Alfred and Florence now employed a cook and a housemaid.
The two other children, William and Florence, have not yet been traced on the 1911 Census, but William may have already been living in Canada.
Florence married Albert Ernest Spowage in 1912 (OND Nottingham) and their son Alan Duncan was born the following year.
Their parents later lived at 4 Third Avenue, Sherwood Rise, Nottingham, and this was given as the address of both William and Alfred at the time of their deaths in 1916 and 1917 respectively.
Florence snr. died in November 1935 and in 1939 when the England & Wales Register was compiled Alfred, a retired merchant tailor, was still living on Third Avenue. Also in the household were his married daughter, Florence Spowage, and her husband Albert, managing director, lace machine builder/iron foundry.
Alfred died on 10 October 1939. His daughter Florence died in June 1971 at the age of 83. She was survived by her husband and son.
Alfred Leslie Stevens was a member of the Officer Training Corps. He was commissioned second-lieutenant in the 10th Bn Leicestershire Regiment in September 1914 and promoted lieutenant in November 1915. He served with the 1st Battalion Leicestershire Regiment in France.
Alfred was reported missing 17/18 April 1917 after a large-scale trench raid that night; his death was not confirmed until February the following year.
He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Loos Memorial, France (Panel 42 to 44).
Alfred's brother, William Duncan, served with the Canadian Infantry and was killed on 30 May 1916. (See record on this Roll of Honour)
Nottingham Church (Rock) Cemetery, Inscription family headstone: (Also) 'Lieut Alfred Leslie reported missing at Bethune April 18th 1917 aged 30 and Lieut William Duncan killed at Vormezeele May 30th 1916 aged 25 interred at Reninghelst, sons of Alfred and Florence Stevens.'
Nottingham Evening Post, 8 October 1914: 'War Items. Mr A Leslie Stevens, of 3rd Avenue, Sherwood-rise, has been gazetted Second-Lieutenant of the 10th Leicestershire Regiment. Mr Stevens, who was educated at the Nottingham High School, has been connected with the Officers’ Training Corps for some years.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Nottingham Evening Post, 18 February 1918: 'Killed. Lieut A.L. Stevens. Lieut. A. Leslie Stevens, Leicestershire Regiment, reported missing April last, is now reported killed. He was the son of Mr. Alfred Stevens, Third-avenue, Sherwood-rise, and was 31 years of age. He was educated at the Nottingham High School, and before the war was engaged with his father in the tailoring business on Long-row. For a short period he was in the University Officers' Training Corps, but was given his commission in September, 1914. He was promoted in November, 1915, and was engaged on instructional work until December, 1916, when he went to the front. Last April he led a raid, and was missed in the German third line. He is now posted as having been killed about that time. His brother, Lieut. W. Duncan Stevens, 29th Canadian Infantry, was killed in action on May 30th, 1916.'
Above courtesy of Jim Grundy facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918
Probate: Stevens Alfred Leslie of 4 Third-avenue Sherwood Rise Nottingham lieutenant in HM Army died on or since 18 April 1917 in France or Belgium on active service Administration Nottingham 22 March to Alfred Stevens tailor. Effects £638 14s.
His parents donated a holy table and plate to St Nicholas in memory of their two sons. The inscription on the table reads, 'To the Glory of God this Holy Table was presented by Mr & Mrs Stevens in memory of their two only sons Alfred Leslie and William Duncan who laid down their lives in the Great War 1914-1919.' (Petition dated 4 August 1920 and Faculty dated 26 November 1920.)
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Deaths’, 4 November 1935: ‘Stevens. November 2nd, Florence, dearly loved wife of Alfred Stevens, Third-avenue, Sherwood Rise, after long suffering.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Probate: Stevens Alfred of 4 Third-avenue Nottingham died 10 October 1939 Probate Nottingham 4 March to Florence Ida Spowage (wife of Albert Edward Spowage). Effects £15768 18s. 3d.
Alfred Leslie Stevens
Family headstone Nottingham Church Cemetery. Photograph Rachel Farrand (July 2012)
Alfred Leslie Stevens
Family headstone Nottingham Church (Rock) Cemetery. Photograph Rachel Farrand (July 2012)
Photo of Alfred Leslie Stevens
Commemorated on the Loos Memorial (www.cwgc.org)