John Albert Stephenson (1894-1917)
Miner who served in the Durham Light Infantry
John Albert Stephenson was usually known by his middle name Albert. Born in 1894, he was the son of Joseph and Jane Stephenson. The couple had 14 children during their married life, all of whom survived childhood. In 1901 the large family were living at 8 Fourth Street, Heworth. Alongside Joseph, Jane and eight children, Joseph’s nephew was also living with the family. By 1911 a further three children had arrived resulting in 15 people living in three rooms. All the males in the family worked in various roles at the local colliery. Albert was a braker, a job involving sorting the impurities from the coal by hand.
Albert enlisted into the Durham Light Infantry, beginning his service as a private in France on 20 April 1915. Early in 1916 he married Alice Foster and later that same year the couple had a son, named John Albert after his father.
Albert was killed in action on 14 April 1917. He is remembered on the Arras memorial and several memorials in his home town of Eighton Banks. On all these memorials his name is listed as Albert. Sadly only four months after Albert’s death, his wife Alice also died at the age of 28, leaving their young son an orphan. She was living at 48 Eighton Terrace, Eighton Banks at the time of her death.
It is not entirely clear what happened to John Albert junior following the death of his parents. Albert’s accrued pay of £5.3.6d plus a war gratuity of £11.0.0 was paid to Alice’s parents George & Hannah Foster. This may suggest that John Albert went to live with George and Hannah following the death of his mother.
Civil Parish: Gateshead
Birth date: 16-May-1894
Death date: 14-Apr-1917
Armed force/civilian: Army
Residence: Fourth Street Heworth (1901 Census)
8 Fourth Street Heworth Colliery (1911 Census)
48 Eighton Terrace, Eighton Banks (Wife’s address, CWGC website)
Employment: Coal Miner – Braker (1911 Census)
Family: Parents: Joseph Stephenson (b 1865), Jane Stephenson nee Cowans (b 1867)
Siblings: William Stephenson (b 1886), Jane Stephenson (b 1888), Joseph Stephenson (b 1890), John William Stephenson (b 1890), Matthew Stephenson (b 1893), James Cowans Stephenson (b 1897), Ralph Stephenson (b 1899), Thomas Stephenson (b 1900), Gladys Stephenson (b 1903), Dora Isabella Stephenson (b 1906), Robert Stephenson (b 1908)
Cousin: John William Cowans
Wife: Alice Stephenson nee Foster
Child: John Albert Stephenson (b 1916)
Military service:
1/9th Battalion Durham Light Infantry
Private
Service Numbers 270005, 3077
Medal(s): British War Medal
Victory Medal
1915 Star
Memorial(s): Book of Remembrance 1914-18 Durham Light Infantry, Durham Cathedral
Cross 1914-18 1939-45 St Thomas’ churchyard, Eighton Banks
Plaque 1914-18 St Thomas’ Church, Eighton Banks
Gender: Male
Contributed by Brenda Mc, Gateshead