Photo: Brian Pirrie
Photo: Brian Pirrie
The headstone reads:-
Front
In Loving
Memory of
Francis
Stephenson
who died at
Ferryhill
29 Nov. 1918 aged 53 years
Also Margery
beloved wife of the above
who died 5 Nov. 1909
Aged 47 years
At Rest
Side
Also
2nd Lieut.
Francis Leamon
Stephenson
3rd D.L.I.
Their fourth son
Who died in
1st N.G. Hospital Newcastle
6 Feb. 1918 Aged 21 years
William Kirby has submitted the following:-
Francis Leamon was born in 1896 the son of Francis and Margery Stephenson. In 1901 the family were living at High Hold Cottages. Francis was a Coal Miner Stoneman under ground. Son William (15 born Cockfield) was a Junior Commercial Clerk. Thomas (11 born Shildon) Eleanor (9 born Bishop Auckland) John (6 born Cockfield) and Francis (4 born West Pelton) completed the family.
In 1911 his mother had died but the family were still living at High Hold. Thomas was a Coal Miner Shifter, Eleanor was the house keeper, John was a Screener at the Colliery, Francis was a Post Boy at the Colliery and youngest brother George was 8 years old.
Francis enlisted as Private 24825 in the Yorkshire Regiment. He later became a Corporal. He embarked for France 6th June 1916. He was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant leaving the Yorkshire Regiment 27th November 1917.
Francis died at the 1st Northern General Hospital Newcastle upon Tyne on 6th February 1918.
Recipient of the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Francis' medal card gives his mother's (sic) address as 10 John Street, Ferryhill Village.
Leamon is sometimes spelled Leaman.
Francis Leamon Stephenson is remembered at West Pelton on W112.01
He is also remembered in The DLI Book of Remembrance page 21
