Harold Stevenson

Private Harold Stevenson enlisted on 7th September 1914 at Mansfield, giving his age as 20 years and 8 months he was a coal miner. Posted to the 1/8th battalion Sherwood Foresters Regiment he landed in France on 2nd March 1915 He was killed in action on 23rd April 1915 and is buried at Kemmel Chateau Military Cemtery (grave ref. E.69).

Nottingham Post notice (abridged), 15 May 1915: 'Stevenson. Private Harold Stevenson, nephew of Mr and Mrs Walter Philips, 320 Alfred Street North, killed in action April 23rd.' Mansfield Chronicle Advertiser; 06/05/1915; A long report about Harold's death including a letter from Elsie's brothers "we were both greatly upset about Harld. I was close to him when he got hit. It was a shell that's killed him. When he was hit he cried Oh God! stretcher-bearer, quick. At that time I could not realise it was him. He died about five minutes afterwards, and I went to look at him. He looked just like wax, and he had a sweet smile on his face, so I don't think he was in much pain, and anyone would have thought he died a natural death. I went to his grave the other morning, it looks a treat. It is in a proper soldier's graveyard, and is as good as any officers. The Pioneer-Sergeant is a pal of ours, and we got him to make it all right. After the war is over you will be able to come out here and see it for we are not far out of England and it won't cost too much. L/Cpl Len (Arthur Leonard) Hinchley and L/Cpl Jack (John ) Hinchley. Len was later badly wounded in the head and discharged in Sept 1917 Jack was killed 23/04/1917.