Shields Gazette 20/06/1916

William was the son of William and Georgina Stephenson, of 59, Gilbert St., South Shields. He was a miner born on the 20th December 1895. He worked at Boldon Colliery.

He enlisted 25th May 1915 and joined the Hawke Battalion at Mudros. He had been drafted for the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force 5th December 1915.

William was accidentally killed by a defective Mills Grenade 2nd June 1916. Aged 20. The official report at the time reads:- "Bombing accident: premature explosion of defective Mills Grenade".

The Grenade thrower was Able Seaman James Custance, Tyneside Z/5251, who suffered bomb wounds to his neck and left hand and the 2nd and 3rd fingers blown off.

Also victims of the accident was Stanley Pearce Hancock of the R.N.V.R. also of the HAWKE. Battalion, Temporary Sub-Lieutenant. He was born on the 25th February 1886. His mother resided at Kingswear, South Devon.

Son of the late Alfred James Hancock and of Matilda Hancock, of 10, Grange Drive, Winchmore Hill, London.

He had been adjutant of the Hawke Battalion between March and May 1916.

He was commissioned a temporary sub-lieut on the 4th May 1915. Was drafted for the MEF on the 5th October 1915. Then joined 'C' Company of the Hawke Battalion on the 25th October 1915. He was killed on the 2nd June 1916. He had been mentioned in Dispatches. (London Gazette page 6952.) For distinguished and gallant services.

The other victim of this accident was Able Seaman John Fenton, Z/2509, who had enlisted on the 3rd July 1915. Then was drafted for MEF as a bomber on the 25th October 1915. Joined the Hawke Battalion on the 2nd December 1915.

"The Hawke Battalion had recently arrived in France with the rest of the Royal Naval Division (RND) from Gallipoli and were undergoing training before becoming operationally ready for the BEF. All were killed by the explosion of a Mills bomb thrown by AB James Henry Custance, TZ/5251, who suffered bomb wounds and lost some fingers." Douglas Jerrold in "The Hawke Battalion" wrote "Only one sad mischance had marred the initials stages of preparation. This was a disastrous bombing accident on June 2nd [1916], involving the death of Sub Lieutenant Hancock and two men. The cause was, without doubt. a defective bomb..."

The War Diary states "DOUDELAINVILLE. In forenoon, bombing accident occurred on ground taken over for instructional purposes. The following casualties resulted: Sub Lt AP [sic] HANCOCK and 2 OR severely injured and 2 OR slightly injured. Court of Inquiry to investigate circumstances of foregoing assembled. Funeral service at 7pm. GOC RND, GOC 2nd Bde and Battalion attended."

All three are in Doudelainville Communal Cemetery.

But only one is remembered in the North East.

He is remembered at South Shields on S86.003, S86.009 in S86.86 page 14