Personal Details
Cyril Stanley Geoffrey Stevens, born in Ludlow, Shropshire in 1885, the fourth son of the late Ernest Frank and Mrs Louisa Harriett Stevens (nee Ash) of Idsall, Prestbury, Solihull.
Geoffrey (as he was known) is recorded on the 1911 Census as a works’ manager in a galvanising mill (the family business of Ash and Lacy is a metal galvanising business and it is probable that this is where he worked). He was husband to Mary Ada Stevens (nee Pearse) of St Ninians, Moffat, Dumfriesshire, Scotland and father to a son.
His mother was born into the Ash family of Packwood House, Warwickshire (now belonging to the National Trust)
The link between Cyril and Ash Magna is unclear, although the family name may be more than a coincidence?
Cyril attended both Seaford College and Cheltenham College and is on the Roll of Honour for both
Cyril is commemorated on the Prestbury, Gloucestershire war memorial.
Military Details
Regiment : 1st/2nd Battalion attached to 3rd/5th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers (previously Royal Fusiliers and Manchester Regiment)
Rank : Captain
Service Number :
Killed in Action; Belgium 9 October 1917 Aged 30
The British War Medal (also known as 'Squeak') was a silver or bronze medal awarded to officers and men of the British and Imperial Forces who either entered a theatre of war or entered service overseas between 5th August 1914 and 11th November 1918 inclusive. This was later extended to services in Russia, Siberia and some other areas in 1919 and 1920. Approximately 6.5 million British War Medals were issued. Approximately 6.4 million of these were the silver versions of this medal. Around 110,000 of a bronze version were issued mainly to Chinese, Maltese and Indian Labour Corps. The front (obv or obverse) of the medal depicts the head of George V. The recipient's service number, rank, name and unit was impressed on the rim.
The Allied Victory Medal (also known as 'Wilfred') was issued by each of the allies. It was decided that each of the allies should each issue their own bronze victory medal with a similar design, similar equivalent wording and identical ribbon. The British medal was designed by W. McMillan. The front depicts a winged classical figure representing victory. Approximately 5.7 million victory medals were issued. Interestingly, eligibility for this medal was more restrictive and not everyone who received the British War Medal ('Squeak') also received the Victory Medal ('Wilfred'). However, in general, all recipients of 'Wilfred' also received 'Squeak' and all recipients of The 1914 Star or The 1914/1915 Star (also known as 'Pip') also received both 'Squeak' and 'Wilfred'. The recipient's service number, rank, name and unit was impressed on the rim.
Further Information
Report in the Dumfries and Galloway Standard 20 October 1917 regarding the death of Cyril Stanley Geoffrey Stevens
“Intimation has been received that Lieutenant Geoffrey Stanley Stevens, Lancashire Fusiliers, son-in-law of the Rev. F. Wingate Pearse, headmaster of St Ninian’s Boy’s School, Moffat, has been killed in action in France on 9th October. Lieutenant Stevens was married to Miss Wingate Pearse, only daughter of Mr Pearse, just two years ago, and is survived by his widow and an infant son. Lieutenant Stevens had been at the front for about six months.”
Dumfries and Galloway 20 October 1917
Taken from Forces War Records
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Information provided by Whitchurch Museum and Archives