Stephenson T.W.

THOMAS WILLIAM STEPHENSON (1893 – 1918)

91960 Private T.W. Stephenson, 15^th Battalion, the Durham Light Infantry died of wounds 31 May 1918 and is buried at Sissonne British Cemetery, France.[1] He was about 25 years old and is commemorated on the Woodland War Memorial and the memorial plaque in St. John the Evangelist Church, Lynesack.

Thomas’ brother, 39150 Private Percival Cade Stephenson, 12^th battalion, the Durham Light Infantry was killed in action 28 March 1918 and is buried in Duhallow A.D.S. Cemetery, Belgium.[2]

Family Details

Thomas William Stephenson was born 1894[3] the son of Thomas and Phyllis Stephenson. There were at least 8 children, all born in the Parish of Lynesack and Softley:[4]

Arthur bc.1886
Etta bc.1888
Henry bc.1889
Jonathan bc.1892
Thomas William born 1893
Percival Cade born 1895
Emily Lydia bc.1898
Harold bc.1899

In 1901, the family lived at the Edge, Woodland where Henry worked as a “winding engine man” and his son Arthur was a “tailor’s apprentice.” [5] By 1911, the family lived at Lynesack Villa, Butterknowle and Henry worked as a “winding engineer” for the Woodland Co. Ltd. 22 year old son Henry was a coal miner, 17 year old Thomas William was an “apprentice mason.” [6] By 1915, Thomas lived at 54 Newport Road, Middlesbrough. [7] After the war, Mrs. Stephenson lived at 3 Lane Head, Copley, Butterknowle.[8]

Service Details

Thomas William Stephenson aged 22 years old enlisted at Middlesbrough 10 December 1915 joining the Army Reserve.[9] He underwent a medical examination 29 March 1916, his declared age was 22 years 1 month, he stood 5ft.7¼” high and weighed 140 lbs. and was declared fit for general service.[10] He was mobilized 29 March 1916 and posted to the Royal Fusiliers the next day and given the regimental number 10676. Private T.W. Stephenson entered France to join the BEF 10 August 1916 and served there until 10 May 1917.[11] He was posted to 17/Royal Fusiliers in the field 22 August 1916 then posted to 22/Royal Fusiliers 25 August 1916. At some time later he was allocated the regimental number 9/79871.[12]

29 December 1916, he was admitted to No.6 Field Ambulance with scabies and rejoined his battalion 5 January 1917. 26 February 1917, he again suffered from scabies and was admitted to No.5 Field Ambulance, 55 Field Ambulance and Hospital before rejoining his battalion. There appears to have been a re-occurrence before he was discharged.

Private T.W. Stephenson was wounded 29 April 1917 while serving with the Royal Fusiliers. 22/RF was under the orders of 99^th Brigade 2^nd Division.[13] The Division was part of XXIII Corps First Army which saw action at the Battle of Arleux.[14] 22/RF lost 5 officers and 45 other ranks killed in action or died of wounds 29 April 1917.[15] It seems highly likely that Private T.W. Stephenson received wounds in this action. His wound was a gun shot wound to the left thigh and he was admitted to No. 5 Field Ambulance and No. 24 General Hospital in Etaples before 10 May 1915 being transferred to England for treatment.[16] He was granted furlough from 19 to 28 June 1917 and he visited his parents at Lynesack Villa, Butterknowle.[17]

6 December 1917, upon recovery, Private T.W. Stephenson embarked for France and 7 December 1917 was posted to 2/Royal Fusiliers before joining 7/Royal Fusiliers 11 December 1917. 26 January 1918 he was admitted to No.26 General Hospital with trench feet.[18]

31 March 1918 Private T.W. Stephenson was transferred to the Durham Light Infantry [19] and given the regimental number 91960, being posted to 15/DLI.[20] The 15^th (Service) Battalion, the Durham Light Infantry was formed at Newcastle in September 1914 as part of K3, Kitchener’s New Army and came under the orders of the 21^st Division, 64^th Brigade. [21] The following units comprised the 64^th Brigade:

9^th (Service) Battalion, the Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (KOYLI)
10^th (Service) Battalion, the KOYLI disbanded February 1918
14^th (Service) Durham Light Infantry (DLI) left November 1915
15^th (Service) Bn., DLI
1^st Battalion, the East Yorkshire Regiment joined November 1915
64^th Brigade Machine Gun Corps joined March 1916 to move into 121^st MG Bn. February 1918
64^th Trench Mortar Battery joined June 1916
2^nd Bn., the South Lancashire Regiment joined 21 June 1918, left 30 June 1918

The Division crossed into France 13 September 1915 and their first action was at The Battle of Loos in September 1915. The 21^st Division then saw action throughout 1916 on the Somme and during 1917 at Arras, Passchendaele and Cambrai. Then in 1918, the Division encountered the full might of the German Spring Offensive.

The German Offensive, spring 1918 – an overview

3 March 1918: Soviet Russia made peace with Germany and her allies in a separate treaty, the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk. This meant that Germany could now transfer divisions from the Eastern Front to the Western Front. More importantly, these Divisions included the original elite of the German Army – the Guards, Jagers, Prussians, Swabians and the best of the Bavarians. In all 192 Divisions could be deployed in the West so that the Germans held superiority in numbers. The Allies could field 178 Divisions.[22] A single division numbered about 19,000 men[23] so the German Chief of High Command General Ludendorff could call upon about 3,650,000 men as opposed to the Allies 3,380,000.

It was essential that final victory was gained before the American Forces arrived in Europe in huge numbers. America had entered the war 6 April 1917 and the first of her troops arrived in France 26 June 1917. In July 1917, Pershing General of the Armies of the United States asked for 3 million men.[24] The build up of troops took time but eventually by June 1918, the Americans were receiving about 250,000 men a month in France. This amounted to 25 divisions in or behind the battle zone and another 55 in the United States.[25]

The French were able to draw on a new annual class of conscripts after a year of effective inactivity. However, the British were worn down by continuous fighting following the major offensives at Arras, Messines, Passchendale and Cambrai during the summer of 1917.[26]

The strength of the British infantry had fallen from 754,000 in July 1917 to 543,000 in June 1918.[27]

The German Spring Offensive was launched 21 March 1918 and took 5 phases:

21 March – 5 April: Operation Michael, the Battle of Picardy, otherwise known as the First Battle of the Somme 1918 against the British
9 – 11 April: Operation Georgette, the Battle of Lys against the British sector near Armentieres
27 April: Operation Blucher-Yorck, the Third Battle of Aisne against the French sector along Chemin des Dames
9 June: Operation Gneisenau, the Battle of the Matz against the French sector between Noyan and Montdider
15 – 17 July: Operation Marne-Rheims, the final phase known as the Second Battle of the Marne.[28]

The Germans enjoyed spectacular territorial gains particularly during the initial phases of the offensive which led the Kaiser to declare a “victory holiday” for German schoolchildren, 23 March 1918.

BUT

The cost in manpower was enormous:

Between 21 March and 10 April the 3 main assaulting armies had lost 1/5^th of their original strength – 303,450 men
The April offensive against the British in Flanders was estimated to have cost 120,000 men out of a total of 800,000.[29]

The German High Command calculated that it required 200,000 replacements each month but even by drawing the next annual class of 18-year olds, only 300,000 recruits stood available. Also 70,000 convalescents from hospitals were available each month but even counting them, the strength of the German Army had fallen from 5.1 million to 4.2 million men in the 6 months of the offensive. It could not be increased on the estimated scale required.[30]

In June 1918, the first outbreak of “Spanish Flu” laid low nearly 500,000 German soldiers. This epidemic was to reoccur in the autumn and wreak havoc throughout Europe and the wider world. [31]

Added to this the poor diet of the German troops, battle fatigue, discontentment with the military leadership, social unrest at home and a general realization that their great effort was beginning to wane, the Allies counter attack in mid July began to seize the initiative. Sweeping victories over demoralized German forces eventually led to the resignation of Ludendorff, 27 October, the abdication of Kaiser Wilhelm II 9 November and the signing of the Armistice 11 November 1918. [32]

The German Offensive in Picardy 1918

Together with other engagements, the Battle of St. Quentin is otherwise known as one of the First Battles of the Somme, 1918, part of the German offensive in Picardy. The engagements are classified as follows:

21 – 23 March: Battle of St. Quentin
24 – 25 March: Actions of the Somme crossings
24 – 25 March: First Battle of Bapaume
26 – 27 March: Battle of Rosieres
28 March: First Battle of Arras
4 April: Battle of Avre
5 April: Battle of the Ancre
24 – 25 April: Action of Villers Bretonneux
4 July: Capture of Hammel

The Germans enjoyed overwhelming superiority of forces – 58 Division against 16. [33] The 21^st Division served in the VII Corps as part of the Fifth Army and saw action at St. Quentin and Bapaume. [34] The Division moved north to engage the enemy again:

10 – 11 April: The Battle of Messines
25 – 26 April: The Second Battle of Kemmel

Both are phases of The Battle of the Lys then:

27 May – 6 June: The Battle of the Aisne. [35]

15/DLI: in action [36]

The 21^st Division formed the right of the British Corps and the front extended from a point about 1 mile north of Loivre on the Aisne and Marne Canal to Berry-au-Bac and the junction with the 8^th Division.

13 – 21 May: Hermonville, at night relieved 6/299^th (Bayard) French Regiment in the line. The enemy showed little sigh of activity.

22 May: relieved and now in a reserve camp at Chalons-le-Verguer. Training

26 May: morning, a church parade was held. Evening – a warning to expect an attack

27 May: 1.00am mustard gas shells came down on the camp. 15/DLI moved off for Cauroy. 10.00am “C” Company sent forward to reinforce 9/KOYLI but the Germans were already on the main road so “C” Company went to reinforce 14/Northumberland Fusiliers holding Acancee de Cauroy. “B” Company pushed out on the left to hold Boyau de la Somme, hoping to get in touch with the Leicesters of 110^th Brigade, reportedly holding a redoubt called Centre Vauban. “D” Company occupied strong points Bon de la Cuve, Bon de la Lavoir, Redoubt Nord and Redoubt Central. The German attack was supported by a bombardment and “B” Company was pushed back to Avenee de Cauroy.

“15/DLI counterattacked with bombs and a bloody struggle was waged in these trenches on the outskirts of the village until German numbers prevailed. During the afternoon the enemy occupied part of the Boyau de Beau Sejour and bombed his way into Avancee de Cauroy so that in spite of their desperate resistance “B” and “C” Companies were forced back to the sunken road east of Redout Sud.” [37]

5.30pm 97^th Field Company RE arrived to reinforce the left flank, west of the village. 7.30pm and another onslaught came and the British line withdrew but Cauroy was not captured. 15/DLI held some advanced posts but after midnight was ordered to withdraw.

Private T.W. Stephenson serving with “B” Company 15/DLI [38] was reported missing 27 May 1918. [39]

28 May: 4.30am, 15/DLI made their way to camp near Luthernay Farm, now in brigade reserve. By 7.30am the position was under enemy machine gun fire. Colonel Holroyd-Smith was wounded. The battalion withdrew to a point south east of Prouilly and men came in during the afternoon after fighting stoutly. The tired troops were assailed with heavy shell fire and German patrols were active but an infantry attack did not materialize. German troops were assembling in large numbers on the high ground. In the evening the brigade was divided into 2 detachments, the 6 officers and 40 men of 15/DLI were under the command of Lieut.-Col. W.N.S. Alexander DSO of the East Yorkshire Regiment.

29 May: the Germans were known to be in Jonchery and the line was brought back to the river Vesle. 15/DLI held a position on the south bank, west of Muizon then moved back further into support. A fierce enemy bombardment ensued and at 2.30pm 15/DLI were relieved by French troops and moved back to Rosnay.

30 May: withdrew to bivouacs south of the river Marne in the forest of Epernay

31 May: withdrew to Chaltrait.

In heavy fighting 27 and 28 May 15/DLI lost 456 men in killed, wounded and missing, the heaviest casualties in the brigade. [40]

Later research records between 27 and 31 May 15/DLI lost 3 officers, Capt. C.S. Herbert, Second Lieutenants J. Carter and R.C. Gutteridge (seconded from 6/DLI) and 122 other ranks killed in action or died of wounds. [41]

Private T.W. Stephenson was reported as missing. In fact he had been seriously wounded and had been taken prisoner. He died from his wounds, a penetrating gun shot wound to the right thigh on 31 May at 10pm in Bavarian Field Hospital No.28. He was buried in the Military Cemetery at Chateau Porcien. [42]

Private T.W. Stephenson served at total of 2 years 173 days as follows:

Home: 10 December 1915 to 9 August 1916…………………244 days
BEF France: 10 August 1916 to 10 May 1917………………….175 days
Home: 11 May 1917 to 5 December 1917……………………..209 days
BEF: 6 December 1917 to 31 May 1918…………………………177 days [43]

Private T.W. Stephenson was awarded the British War and Victory medals. [44]

Burial

Private T.W. Stephenson is buried at grave reference O.4 Sissonne British Cemetery, France. The village of Sissonne was in German hands for almost the duration of the war. The British Cemetery was made after the Armistice by concentration of graves from the German Cemetery, from other burial grounds and from the battlefield including those from Chateay-Porcien Communal Cemetery. There are 291 Commonwealth burials, 127 are unidentified. [45]

References:

[1] Commonwealth War Graves Commission

[2] Commonwealth War Graves Commission

[3] England & Wales Birth Index 1837-1915 Vol.10a p.196 Auckland 1893 Q4 (& p.249 there are 2 registrations, same year & same quarter)

[4] 1901 & 1911 census

[5] 1901 census

[6] 1911 census

[7] Army Form B.2065 Note: his trade cannot be deciphered

[8] CWGC

[9] Army Form B.2065

[10] Army form B.178

[11] Military History Sheet: handwritten sheet

[12] Medal Roll card index

[13] He may have served with 17/RF under the orders of 5^th Brigade 2^nd Division

[14] http://www.warpath.orbat.com/battles_ff/1917.htm

[15] Officers & Soldiers Died in the Great War

[16] Army Form B.103

[17] Army Form W.3016

[18] Army Form B.103 Casualty Form-Active Service

[19] Statement of Services

[20] CWGC

[21] http://www.1914-1918.net/dli.htm

[22]

Many references have been quoted including some from “The First World War” 1998 John Keegan, “The Imperial War Museum Book of 1918 Year of Victory” 1998 Malcolm Brown, and “The Unknown Soldier” 2005 Neil Hanson.

[23] http://www.cwgc.org/somme

[24] http://www.firstworlwar/timeline

[25] SEE 22

[26] http://www.1914-1918.net/batt22

[27] [28] [29] [30] [31] SEE 22

[32] timeline

[33] http://www.1914-1918.net/batt22

[34] http://www.warpath.orbat.com/battles_ff/1918_pt1.htm

[35] www.1914-1918.net/21div.htm & http://www.warpath.orbat.com/battles_ff/1918_pt1.htm

[36] “The Durham Forces in the Field 1914-1918: The Service Battalions of the Durham Light Infantry” 1920 Capt. W. Miles p.300-304

[37] Miles p.301

[38] Bavarian Field Hospital No.23 Chief Medical Officer Dr. Meyer 6 June 1918