George Stephenson

Forename(s):
George

Surname:
Stephenson

Initial(s):
G

Service Number:
C/12324

Rank:
Rifleman

Regiment:
King's Royal Rifle Corps, 21st (Service) Battalion (Yeoman Rifles)

Died:
28/12/1916

Aged:
36

Buried:
Lijssenhoek Military Cemetery

Service History:
Enlisted at Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland.

Died of nephritis (inflammation of the kidneys) at No. 10 Casualty Clearing Station, France.

Background:
Born 1881 at Netherwitton, Northumberland, the eldest son of John R. Stephenson (b.1854 at Rothbury) & Isabella (née Thornton?; b.1858 at Cambo).

In 1881 John who at the time was a Farmer of 213 acres & his wife Isabella were living at Roughlees Ritton Whitehouse, Rothbury with their infant son George.

By 1891 the family were farming at Maiden Hall, Pigdon & had increased considerably with the birth of Gideon (b.1882), Jane T. (b.1883), Bella (b.1886), John Robert (b.1888), Thomas (b.1890), & Mary Ann (b.1891). One farm servant & two domestic servants were employed to help the family. Stephenson was not shown on this Census as he was visiting family at Hollinghill, Rothbury at the time.

1901 & Stephenson was living with his family at Alwinton. Both he & Gideon are listed as FarmerÂ’s Sons & the older daughters as FarmerÂ’s Daughters. Three more children are recorded - Sarah Ellen (b.1894), Clement (b.1895) & Isabella A (b. 1900). Mary Ann had died in 1900 at the age 9. Only one agricultural labourer was employed.

Stephenson's father died in 1906, aged 52.

By 1911 the widowed Isabella, 53, had moved her remaining family to Burradon Mains, Rothbury. Stephenson, then 30, worked on the farm & Jane (28 ) was a Dairymaid. Thomas, 21, also worked on the farm; Sarah was a Dressmaker; & Isabella was still at school. There was also another child, Lily (b.1907). It seems unlikely that Isabella gave birth at the age of 49 after her husband had died so Lily may have been the child of one of the daughters. Lily died in 1913, age 6.

Isabella was living at Great Ryle at the time of Stephenson's death.

One of two sons lost: see, also, Private Clement Stephenson (Regimental service #16593; East Yorkshire Regiment, 8th [Service] Battalion; Died 30 May 1916).

Local Memorial:
Alnham, St. Michael's Church (Source: For Alnham, newmp.org.uk) Whittingham, Roll of Honour in St. BartholomewÂ’s Church