Person

Andrew Stephenson was born on 28 October 1879 in Tanfield, near Stanley. His father was John Stephenson, a colliery engine-man originally from Rochdale, Lancashire. His mother was Elizabeth Stephenson (1848-1896) from Gateshead. He is known to have had at least four brothers and three sisters. In 1881 the Stephenson family were living at 2 Brick Row, Tanfield. By 1891 they had moved to 2 James Street, Tanfield.

At the time of the 1901 census Andrew was working as a hewer in a coal mine and boarding with the Reid family at 9 Shops’ Square, Tanfield. He married Mary Ada Stephenson nee Towler in 1901. She was a coal miner’s daughter from Hunwick. The 1911 census records the couple and three sons living at 17 Ann Street, East Stanley. The census further notes that by that time in total five children had been born but only three were surviving.

Some time before the outbreak of war Andrew had served over four years in the Durham Light Infantry (DLI). On 1 September 1914, after war was declared, he re-enlisted into the DLI. However, he transferred to the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve (RNVR) on 9 September 1914. He was given the service number KX/355 and joined the Hood battalion, Royal Naval Division (RND) to serve as an able seaman.

Andrew was drafted to the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force (MEF) for operations in the Dardanelles. On 8 May 1915 he received a gunshot wound to his right side. He was taken to the No 11 Casualty Clearing Station where he died of his wounds the same day. He is buried in the Lancashire Landing Cemetery, Gallipoli, Turkey (grave E 14). He is remembered in his home town in the Book of Remembrance 1914-18, St Andrew’s Church, Stanley.

Andrew Stephenson was awarded the 1914 Star, the Victory Medal and the British War Medal for his service in World War One.

Civil Parish: Oxhill

Birth date: 28-Oct-1879

Death date: 08-May-1915

Armed force/civilian: Navy

Residence: 2 Brick Row, Tanfield (1881 census)
2 James Street, Tanfield (1891 census)
9 Shops’ Square, Tanfield (1901 census)
17 Ann Street, East Stanley (1911 census)

Employment: Coal miner – hewer (1901 census)
Haulage rope attendant (1911 census)

Family: Parents: John Stephenson (b 1848), Elizabeth Stephenson (1848-1896)
Siblings: William Stephenson (b 1866), Joshua Stephenson (b 1868), John Stephenson (b 1874), Sarah Stephenson (b 1877), Alice Stephenson (b 1882), George Stephenson (b 1884), Isabella Stephenson (b 1889)
Spouse: Mary Ada Stephenson nee Towler (b 1881)
Children: Norman Stephenson (b 1903), Sidney Stephenson (b 1909), Ernest Stephenson (b 1911)

Military service:

Durham Light Infantry
Transferred to Royal Naval Division
Able seaman
Service number KX/355
Hood battalion

Medal(s): 1914 Star
Victory Medal
British War Medal

Memorial(s): Lancashire Landing Cemetery, Gallipoli, Turkey
Book of Remembrance 1914-18, St Andrew’s Church, Stanley

Gender: Male

Contributed by David D, Stanley, Co Durham