William Duncan Stevens
He was educated at the Nottingham High School.
- Family History
- Military history
- Extra information
- Photographs
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.
William Duncan served with the British Columbia Regiment, Canadian Infantry.
He was killed near Ypres on 30 May 1916.
29th Bn War Diary: '30 May Lieut WD Stevens killed by direct hit on his dugout in (-) Fort in the early morning. 31 May Lieut WD Stevens buried in the morning at Reninghelst cemetery.'
(see photograph)
He is buried in Reninghelst New Military Cemetery, Belgium (grave ref. I. D. 19)
CWGC history of the New Military Cemetery (extract): 'The village of Reninghelst (now Reningelst) was occupied by Commonwealth forces from the late autumn of 1914 to the end of the war and was sufficiently far from the front line to provide a suitable station for field ambulances. The earliest burials took place in the Churchyard, but in November 1915 the New Military Cemetery was opened. It remained in use until September 1918.' (www.cwgc.org)
William's brother, Lieutenant Alfred Leslie Stevens, 1st Bn Leicestershire Regiment, was killed in France on 18 April 1917 aged 30. He is commemorated on the Loos Memorial. (See record on this Roll of Honour.)
CWGC Additional information: Son of Alfred and Florence Stevens, of 4, Third Avenue, Sherwood Rise, Nottingham, England.
CWGC headstone, personal inscription: 'Also in memory of Lieut. A. L. Stevens. Aged 30. Leicestershire Regt. Missing France 18.4.1917'
Nottingham Church (Rock) Cemetery, family grave/headstone, inscription: (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, ‘Roll of Honour’, 8 June 1916: Stevens. Killed in action on May 30th, Lieut. William Duncan, of the Canadian Infantry, younger son of Alfred Stevens, Third-Avenue, aged 25 years.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Probate: Stevens William Duncan of 4 Third-avenue Sherwood Rise Nottinghamshire lieutenant in HM Army died 30 May 1916 in France Probate Nottingham 18 July to Alfred Stevens tailor. Effects £327 3s.
Alfred and Florence 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.
Courtesy Simon Williams
Extract for 29th Bn's War Diary
William Duncan Stevens
Family grave/headstone Nottingham Church (Rock) Cemetery. Photograph Rachel Farrand (July 2012)
William Duncan Stevens
Family headstone Nottingham Church (Rock) Cemetery. Photograph Rachel Farrand (July 2012)
Photo of William Duncan Stevens
Buried in Reninghelst New Military Cemetery, Belgium (www.cwgc.org)