Pte 35420 John Joseph Stephens

• Age: 25
• From: Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 18th Btn
• D.O.W Tuesday 12th September 1916
• Commemorated at: La Neuville Brit Cem Corbie
  Panel Ref: II.C.73

John Joseph Stephens was born in 1890 in Liverpool and was the son of John Stephens and his wife Bridget (nee Sullivan), of Liverpool. His parents John and Bridget had married in West Derby Register Office in 1888.

The 1901 Census shows the family living at 18, Kilshaw Street, Everton, Liverpool. His father, John, is aged 40, and is employed as a seed crusher in a oil cake mill, his mother, Agnes, is aged 38 and has no occupation listed. At the time of the Census they have five children in the household; John Joseph aged 10, Jerome aged 6, Catherine aged 5, Bernard aged 3 and Robert aged 1.

The 1911 Census shows the family living at 18 Kilshaw Street Everton, Liverpool.  His father, John, is now aged 50, born in Liverpool in 1861 is a seed crusher in a oil cake mill, his wife Bridget is aged 50, born in Cork, Ireland in 1861 (has forename Agnes on 1901 Census and on pension records). They have been married for 23 years and have had seven children of which two died. THose listed in the household are; John Joseph aged 20, is a housepainter, Jeremiah aged 16, born 1895 a junior salesman in a pawnbrokers (he is named Jerome in the 1901 Census), Catherine aged 15, born 1896 is a shop assistant in a drapers shop, Bernard aged 13, born 1898 and Robert aged 11, born 1900 are at school.

He enlisted in Liverpool and was serving in the 18th Battalion, The King’s Liverpool Regiment as Private No 35420 when he died of wounds on the 12th September, 1916 aged 25 during the Somme offensive.

He now lies in La Neuville British Cemetery, Corbie, France. The Inscription on his headstone reads:

“R.I.P.”

In April 1916, No.21 Casualty Clearing Station came to La Neuville and remained there throughout the 1916 Battles of the Somme, until March 1917. La Neuville British Cemetery was opened early in July 1916. Most of the burials date from this period, but a few graves were added during the fighting on the Somme in 1918. Neuville British Cemetery contains 866 Commonwealth burials of the First World War. There are also 27 German war graves. The cemetery was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens. 

Liverpool Echo 26th Sept 1916

STEPHENS - Private J. J. Stephens K.L.R., he was the eldest son of Mrs J. Stephens of 179 Faulkner Street. He joined the army in November 1915 and was drafted to France in August.

Liverpool Daily Post 29th Sept 1916

STEPHENS - September 12, died of wounds received in action, aged 25 years, Private J. J. Stephens K.L.R., eldest son of John and Agnes Stephens of 179 Faulkner Street. (His loss deeply felt by all.)

Liverpool Daily Post 13th Sept 1917

STEPHENS - In loving memory of Private J. J. Stephens K.L.R., killed in action, he was the eldest son of Mr and Mrs J. Stephens of 179 Faulkner Street. Killed in action on September 12, 1916 in France R.I.P.

He sleeps beside his comrades in a grave unknown, but his name is written in letters of love in the hearts he has left at home. 

Soldiers Effects to his father John and pension to his mother Agnes. His mother died December 1917.

John Joseph is commemorated in the Hall of Remembrance inside Liverpool Town Hall at Panel 39. 

His father John died aged 88 in September 1949.

We currently have no further information on John Joseph Stephens, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.