Life story retold by Paul Beecroft
IN AFFECTIONATE REMEMBRANCE
OF
FREDERICK GEORGE STEVENS
DIED 21ST JAN 1940
AGED 35 YEARS
———-
KATE STEVENS
DIED OCT. 26TH 1965 AGED 82 YEARS
AND HER BELOVED HUSBAND
FREDERICK THOMAS STEVENS
DIED FEB. 19TH 1966 AGED 81 YEARS
ALWAYS IN OUR THOUGHTS
Frederick George STEVENS was born in Reading in 1905. His parents were Frederick Thomas STEVENS and Kate (nee EDGINTON) and were also both born in Reading and lived at 78, Spring Gardens, Reading. Frederick (senior) worked at Huntley & Palmers.
Frederick was the eldest of five children. His siblings were Charles (1906), Violet Catherine (1908), Florence (1911) and John (1913). Frederick was educated at Christ Church School in Reading.
After leaving school it is not known if Frederick was employed or not but at the age of 19 he joined the Royal Navy. His official service number was P/KX65044. He became a Stoker working in the engine room. Nothing is known of his Navy service until around 1938/39 when he joined H.M.S. Leda as a Stoker 1st Class.
The Leda was a Fleet Minesweeper and was commissioned on 17th May 1938. Following her Acceptance Trials she was deployed for Fishery Protection duties in Home waters. This duty consisted of monitoring British fishing activities to ensure adherence to internationally agreed rules and to prevent ships of other nations from fishing in territorial waters. Fishery protection continued during the first half of 1939 and then in July the Leda was nominated for duty with the 5th Minesweeping Flotilla. The following month the Leda joined other Minesweepers and by October the Flotilla was in the Nore Command guarding against invasion and protecting trade in the North Sea along the East Coast of Britain.
Sadly, Frederick became ill towards the end of 1939 and was transferred from the Leda to the Royal Naval Hospital in Gosport and died on 21st January 1940 of Broncho Pneumonia.
Frederick was buried in Reading Old Cemetery on 25th January. The Reading Standard reported, in part, as follows:-
OVER FIFTEEN YEARS IN THE NAVY
—–
FUNERAL OF FIRST CLASS
STOKER FREDERICK STEVENS
The funeral took place at Christ Church, Reading of First Class Stoker Frederick George Stevens, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Stevens of 48, Spring Gardens, Reading, who died in hospital at Gosport, on Sunday, after a short illness. Mr. Stevens, who was 35 years of age, joined the Royal Navy when he was 19 years of age, and recently he was awarded the good conduct medal. The funeral service was conducted by the assistant priest, the Rev. P.G. Medd. The coffin was draped with the Union Jack.
On Friday 2nd February a personal message from the family was printed in The Reading Standard:-
Mr. and Mrs. F. STEVENS and FAMILY desire to express their sincere thanks to friends, neighbours and relatives for kind sympathy in their recent sad loss, also for letters and beautiful floral tributes received.
48, Spring Gardens, Reading.
Although Frederick died during World War II, he did not have a traditional war grave headstone. His was a private grave obviously arranged by his family.
In 1964, Frederick’s parents, Frederick Thomas and Kate, celebrated their Diamond Wedding Anniversary, and a local paper published their photograph and reported:-
A couple who have lived in the same house in Reading for 56 years, yesterday (Thursday) celebrated their diamond wedding. They are Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Stevens, of 48, Spring Gardens. Both are natives of Reading and Mr. Stevens, in fact, has lived in Spring Gardens all his life, but not in the same house. The couple who were married at Reading Register Office on October 1st 1904, have four children, eight grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. Mr. Stevens (81) spent all his working life with Huntley and Palmers Ltd. retiring 13 years ago. To mark his service, the firm have sent Mr. and Mrs. Stevens a diamond wedding cake for their anniversary. Their children are giving the couple a party at their home on Saturday.
Frederick’s mother Kate died in October 1965 and his father Frederick Thomas died just four months later in February 1966. They were both buried with their son in Reading Old Cemetery.
N.B. On 20th September 1942, HMS Leda was torpedoed and sunk by a U-boat with the loss of 47 lives.
Division 10, Row C, Plot 13