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2nd Lieutenant Ralph Tapley Stevenson

Photograph courtesy of Royston Williamson

Thank you to Margaret Dennis for the following research.

Ralph was born  in April 1889 in Bermondsey, London.  His parents were William Henry Stevenson and his wife Emma (nee Fowler). Ralph was their sixth son, and there were also two daughters.

The 1901 Census shows the family living at Temple Road, Epsom, and that Ralph’s father was a foreman tent maker. Ralph was aged 11 years, and at school.

By the 1911 Census, the family lived at Millside House, Reigate Rd, Holmwood, Dorking. The father  still worked as a sail and tent maker, and Ralph was then aged 21 years and had followed his brothers into work at National Provincial Bank, Dorking. Three of Ralph’s brothers, and his two sisters, were also living at home.

Ralph enlisted as a Private, S19721 in the Gordon Hussars, London Regiment. He then moved to the 5th (City of London) Battalion, London Rifle Brigade, London Regiment as a Second Lieutenant.

Aged 29, he was killed in action on 31st August 1918 at Killem, near Dunkerque, Nord Pas de Calais, in northern France. 

He is remembered on Vis en Artois Memorial  near Arras, Pas de Calais, France, and also commemorated on the South St Memorial, Dorking.

Probate of Ralph’s estate was granted to his brother Edwin John Stevenson, bank manager. The effects were valued at  £363 10s 9d (almost £24,000 at 2018 values).

Born Bermondsey, London
Lived Holmwood, Surrey
Son of William Henry and Emma (nee Fowler) Stevenson
Regiment 5th City of London Battalion. London Rifle Brigade. London Regiment
Date of Death 31st August 1918
Place of Death Killem, near Dunkerque, Nord Pas de Calais, France
Cause of Death Killed in action
Age 29
Memorial Vis en Artois Memorial, near Arras, Pas de Calais, France
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