Photo: Imperial War Museum, c/o Dorothy Barker

Photo: Dorothy Barker

Angela Conroy has provided the following:

Usually referred to as Sylvia, Mary Sylvia Jane born on the 3rd November 1892, baptised on the 4th December 1892 she was the daughter of Christopher and Mary Stephenson, [nee Brewis], who married in 1887 in the Tynemouth registration district. These were their children: Alverda Ovington, born 1888; Sophia Margaret, born 1890; Mary Sylvia Jane, born 1893; Christopher, born 1894; Robert Brewis, born 1897, and Mary Alice, born 1907.

In St. Peter's Parish Magazine November 1915 is the following:

'War News
The following letters will be of interest. The first is to her mother from Miss Sylvia, now serving her country as a nurse at the Military Hospital, Cairo:- "We reached Alexandria on Saturday morning about ten o'clock, and got into dock shortly after lunch. The principal matron was meeting the ship, and by three o'clock we were all detailed to our different hospitals. About 150 went off to the Alexandria Hospitals, and the remaining 50 were told to sleep on board on Saturday night and leave for Cairo on Sunday morning. We got the matron's permission to go off the boat, and made a "bee line" for the headquarters to see if there were any letters for us. There we found a hopeless muddle, and it is very unlikely that we shall ever see the letters which were sent to the ------- address, but we are still hoping for the best. We had no Egyptian money with us, so I don't know how we should have fared if we had not found an Englishman who changed us enough for car fares, all the quay places were closed, being Saturday evening. We drove around Alexandria, and saw as much as possible before dark. Everything was just exactly the same as pictures of the East, and I really cannot describe it, but it was really gorgeous. There were four hospital ships in the docks besides us, and another came in late on Saturday night with more nurses for Malta from home. We left the ship in motor ambulances about eight o'clock, and the train left Alexandria before nine. All along the line everything was exactly alike. Miles and miles of flat country, very fertile as far as one could see, with just a hint of the sandy desert far away. Every few miles we came to an Arab village, all mud huts, with straw on the flat roofs, which are so low that it looks impossible to stand upright inside the houses. The natives were working in the fields, what the crops were I have no idea, except Indian corn and green figs. The ploughing is done by buffaloes and oxen, and the carrying by asses and camels. There were any amount of palm trees, and the dust, or rather the sand, is over everything. Cairo is about 150 miles, or 3 1/2 hours' journey from Alexandria, and in that distance we cross the Nile twice. One could think that the people have not advanced one bit since the Old Testament times. We got to Cairo where we were again divided, 30 of us going to the Citadel and the others to the Nazarene Schools. The Citadel is high above the city, and besides being a hospital is the Barracks too, so we are certainly in the midst of the army now. The view of Cairo as one looks down is glorious, all flat yellow Eastern buildings with the Mosques and towers rising above in the glorious sunshine. The Citadel itself is enormous, after passing the main gate one has at least a dozen more before getting to the Nurses' quarters and all is of a yellow stone with the sand everywhere. The hospital itself was formerly a palace built in the 12th century and so it should not be copied the slaves who built it had their tongues and eyes put out. It seems hopeless to find one's way through the miles of corridors, all stone and marble, and in our quarters only hanging lamps, although the wards are fitted with electric lights. The wards are so large and cool, each one as big as a large Church, and of course, all of marble and stone. I think there are about 1,000 patients, though we can take more. I started night duty last night and got on alright. The sisters are very nice indeed. I am in the Right Base Ward, there are 75 beds and 98 convalescents in the tents outside, and as there is only the night sister and myself with two orderlies we are kept pretty busy, even though there are not many night dressings to do. Our bedrooms are just like a monastery, nice and large with two windows, two beds. All stone floors, which make them delightfully cool even in the middle of the day. The only objection is that our windows look out on to the courtyard, which is dreadfully noisy during the day. But as you know I can sleep through anything, though some of the others find it very difficult. Yesterday we went down into Cairo to do some shopping before going to bed. It is ten minutes' walk down a very steep hill from the Citadel to the car, and twenty minutes' run down into the city. I got on very well, for you know I can soon find my way about and both Alexandria and here is just full of khaki, so we are all right. Of course, we nurses at the Citadel, think ourselves above the others as this is really the Military Hospital, and has been so for 30 years, besides belonging to the Garrison."

An article bearing her photo shown here reports:

News has been received at Wallsend that Nurse Sylvia Stephenson, eldest daughter of Mrs. M. Stephenson and the late Alderman Chris. Stephenson, the The Green, Wallsend, has died of dysentery at a military hospital in Cairo. The young lady volunteered as a nurse when the war broke out, and was trained at the Jesmond Road Voluntary Hospital and the Royal Infirmary. She proceeded to Cairo some little time ago to take up her duties.

Information of her death has caused great sorrow in Wallsend, as she was well known as a young lady of exceptional Merit and charming manner, and one who will be very much missed for her good works in the district. Two brothers of the dead lady are serving with the forces in France.

St Peter's Parish Magazine August 1922:

'War Memorial
The wreath recently placed on the War Memorial Window by Provisional Superintendent Aitken and Lady Divisional Superintendent Snowden of the Wallsend Borough Ambulance Division and the Wallsend Nursing Division of the St John Ambulance brigade was a tribute to the memory of all those who gave their lives in the war, but with particular reference to M. Sylvia Stephenson, who died Nov. 9th, 1915, in Cairo, whilst on active service in a hospital as a St John Ambulance V.A.D. nurse, and Police Constable Robert Telfer, [this is Robert Telford] who was killed on duty at Coach Open by an enemy bomb during the air raid in June 1915.'

St.Peter's Parish Magazine , date not given.

'Sylvia Stephenson

We reproduce, by Mrs Stephenson's kind permission a letter received by her from the Matron of the Hospital and others at the Citadel Cairo, telling of our dear friend's death and laying to rest. There was also a photograph of the grave sent with the letters, which it may be possible to reproduce in the February Magazine, if it can be done.

The Matron's letter - "I am so glad to be able to enclose for you a few photos of your daughter's grave, and also of the funeral procession. A service was held in the Hospital Chapel where the casket was resting, covered with the Union Jack and lovely flowers. The service was attended by Sisters, Nurses and Officers and Men of the R.A.M.C. Corps, a great many of whom followed to the grave where the Last Post was sounded at the close of the service. She is laid to rest in the Protestant Cemetery, where so many of our brave ones are laid, and a few paces away lies another of our Sisters, who passed away in September. She was a sweet girl, your daughter, and had many friends. With our very deepest sympathy - I remain yours very sincerely, J. E. Woods (Matron)."

Extract from Nurse Gibson's letter:- "Every one of us who knew her, every one of us out here working, are full of the deepest sorrow. She died as she was living for others. Just as surely as a soldier braves the bullets to save a fallen friend, so she worked her best, gave all and laid down her life for those she came to help. And we who are left will do our best to carry on the work she put down so soon. I have lost a dear chum in Sylvia, and I can't express all I feel, and how deeply I sympathise."

Extract from Nurse Sturge's letter: "It was my great privilege to nurse Sylvia at night. We two had shared a bedroom so I was with her from the first. The Chief Surgeon gave her every attention; all was done that possibly could be. She was buried with full military honours, and in the little Hospital Church we sang 'Now the Labourer's task is o'er.' We were all very fond of Sylvia, and we will look after her grave, and she will not be forgotten by one of us."

Sylvia's brother Robert Brewis Stephenson died two years later.

Dorothy Barker has sent the following, plus the photos of Sylvia Stephenson and her headstone in Cairo:

This lady was my first cousin twice removed ie my paternal grandmother's cousin. She was born at 2 Elm Terrace Wallsend on 3rd November 1892, the daughter of Christopher Stephenson and Margaret Brewis. He was a ship yard manager responsible for the overseeing of the building of the Mauretania and a one time Mayor of Wallsend. Two older sisters Alverda Ovington (1888 - 1891) and Sophie Margaret (1890 - 1893) had died as toddlers. As you know her two brothers Christopher and Robert Brewis Stephenson both served with the Northumberland Fusiliers both being awarded the Military Cross. 2nd Lt Robert Brewis Stephenson born at The Green Wallsend on the 8th November 1896 was killed in action on the 23rd October 1917 and was buried in Dozinghem Military ceremony. Flanders. Christopher (4th May 1894 - 4th Feb 1981) survived. There was a younger sister Elizabeth Ewing Stephenson (9th November 1898 - 15th March 1992).

Mary Sylvia Stephenson is remembered in Gateshead on G39.030, and in Wallsend on W7.04, W7.15 and W7.19 page 25.

The CWGC entry for Nurse Stephenson