In Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension, France  is the Commonwealth War Grave of 2320 Private Fred Stephenson serving with the 5th Battalion Durham Light Infantry who died 29/09/1915.

In St. Mary’s Churchyard is a family headstone for Stephenson which reads:

In loving Memory of
Frances Jane
beloved wife of
George Stephenson
who died 26th April 1925
aged 58 years

also of the above
George Stephenson
who died 25th Feb. 1942
aged 75 years

Also of Fred their son
who fell in action in France
Sept. 28th 1915.

Brenda McMahon has submitted the following:-

Fred was born at Coxhoe, Durham in 1894 the son of George and Frances Stephenson. In 1911 George was the inn keeper at the West Hetton Inn at Coxhoe. Fred with his older brother John was working as coal miners putters at that time.

Fred enlisted into the army at Stockton on Tees and joined the Durham Light Infantry. He entered France on 17th April 1915.

He was listed on two War Office casualty lists during April/May 1915. He was suffering from gas poisoning which also affected his vision. He was transferred from T.F. 9th Ambulance Train into 2nd General Hospital, Havre on May 26th 1915 where he remained for three days until being discharged on May 28th 1915. It seems likely he was then transferred to a convalescent camp for further care. He was aged 19 at this time.

For this injury he was entitled to wear a wound stripe.

Fred died of wounds received in action on September 29th 1915.

His father received a weekly pension of 5 shillings as from July 18th 1916.

Fred’s service totalled 1 year 1 month.

Medals:- 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.

Frederick Stephenson is remembered at Coxhoe on C103.01, C103.02, and C103.08 at Tursdale on T62.02, in the 5th D.L.I. Roll of Honour page 23, in the  D.L.I. Book of Remembrance page 267 and in the Battalion History page 211.