STEVENS Daniel

Daniel Stevens was born c1893 in Upton Warren, Worcestershire, the son of Joseph and Mary Ann Stevens (nee Hipkiss). Joseph was a farmworker and the couple had twelve children. In 1901 the family were resident in Berrys Lane, Upton Warren, in 1911 they lived in Melbourne Cottages near Stat St, Bromsgrove.

Daniel enlisted in the army in September 1914 when he was resident at 18 Anne Road, Handsworth. He entered France on 14th November 1914, in September/October 1915 he arrived in Salonika. He died on 14th November 1918 from pneumonia following malaria. He was awarded the 1914 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal

Bromsgrove Messenger, 23rd November 1918:
BROMSGROVE SOLDIER’S DESTH AT SALONIKA
On Monday Mr and Mrs J. Stevens, of Wellington Road, Bromsgrove, formerly of Dust House Lane, Finstall, received a telegram from Salonika stating that their son, Private Daniel Stevens, of the Army Service Corps, was dangerously ill with pneumonia, and on Wednesday a further wire stated that he had died on November 14th. The deceased soldier enlisted in September, 1914, at which time he was residing with his eldest brother, 18 Anne Road, Handsworth, and was employed as a finished test motor mechanic by Messrs. Alldays and Onions, of Birmingham, he having served an apprenticeship in the motor trade with Mr Fred Deeley, of Bromsgrove. He had been in the army a week when he volunteered and went on active service. He was in France 12 months, when he went to Salonika, and after being at the latter front 18 months he had three weeks leave. He returned to Salonika, and three weeks ago he wrote saying he had had malarial fever. Deceased was 26 years of age and single, and was a clever linguist, he being the only man in his company who wore the red letter L. He was for five years a member of Upton Warren Church Choir. A brother of the deceased has been previously reported “Missing, believed killed” since July 15th 1916, and his eldest brother has also served during the whole of the war, having been called up on reserve; he was discharged from the army the day before Private Stevens’ death. Deceased was well known, and respected by a large circle of friends, especially in the motor world, where his loss will be keenly felt. Two other brothers are still serving overseas.
A photograph of Private Daniel Stevens can be found in the Bromsgrove Messenger, 30th November 1918.

Daniel Stevens is also commemorated on the Roll of Honour in Bromsgrove Library and on a war memorial in St James’s Church, Handsworth, Birmingham.