Private Wilfred Stephenson
58327 Machine Gun Corps
Died from the effects of Gas 24th September 1920, aged 32
Lived at 23 Walter Street, Brierfield
Buried in the Inghamite Church Graveyard Wheatley Lane, Fence,UK
Commemorated on Colne Road Wesleyan Church Memorial

Wilfred was one of 6 children born to William and Jane Stephenson in 1888 at 7 Smith Street, Brierfield. By 1901 the family had moved to 10 Bridge Street, Brierfield and Wilfred is shown as a Cotton Weaver on the census of that year (aged 13yrs). On 1st of July 1915 he married Martha Emily Beswick of 21 Briercliffe Road, Burnley, the daughter of Amos and Mary Beswick. They were married at Colne Road Wesleyan Chapel, Burnley. They had 1 son, my father, Kenneth (born 4th of April 1920). Wilfred was by now a Master Plasterer and after marriage they moved to 23 Walter Street, Brierfield. Prior to going to war in France he was in partnership with a Mr Warburton of 128 Burnley Road. Their business card described themselves as Plasterers, Tilers and Concretors.....and Decorators.
Wilfred then saw service in France and was Private 58327 in the Machine Gun Corp. The only information on his medals war card says he received the British and Victory medals and his reference was Roll MGC101B Page 3446. During his service he was gassed and returned home for convalescence. He died on the 24th of September 1920 at his home 23 Walter Street, Brierfield. Death was said to be attributed to his being gassed. The cause of death on his death certificate being Acute Catarrhal Laryngitis.
He was buried at Inghamite Church Graveyard at Wheatley Lane.
On the 11th of December 1921 a service was held at Colne Road Wesleyan Church, Burnley, to commemorate a War Memorial Window and tablet. Wilfred was one of the soldiers remembered. His father died in May 1920 and his mother died in December 1926. They were both buried in the same grave as their son. His wife and son moved to Blackpool in 1930. She died in 1950 and her son Kenneth died in 1995.

Lace postcard sent from France by Wilfred with insert card held within lace,
sent to Emily for her birthday in March ?1917

2nd lace postcard with insert card in lace sent from France by Wilfred

Wilfred was one of 6 children born to William and Jane Stephenson in 1888 at 7 Smith Street, Brierfield. By 1901 the family had moved to 10 Bridge Street, Brierfield and Wilfred is shown as a Cotton Weaver on the census of that year (aged 13yrs). On 1st of July 1915 he married Martha Emily Beswick of 21 Briercliffe Road, Burnley, the daughter of Amos and Mary Beswick. They were married at Colne Road Wesleyan Chapel, Burnley. They had 1 son, my father, Kenneth (born 4th of April 1920). Wilfred was by now a Master Plasterer and after marriage they moved to 23 Walter Street, Brierfield. Prior to going to war in France he was in partnership with a Mr Warburton of 128 Burnley Road. Their business card described themselves as Plasterers, Tilers and Concretors.....and Decorators.
Wilfred then saw service in France and was Private 58327 in the Machine Gun Corp. The only information on his medals war card says he received the British and Victory medals and his reference was Roll MGC101B Page 3446. During his service he was gassed and returned home for convalescence. He died on the 24th of September 1920 at his home 23 Walter Street, Brierfield. Death was said to be attributed to his being gassed. The cause of death on his death certificate being Acute Catarrhal Laryngitis.
He was buried at Inghamite Church Graveyard at Wheatley Lane.
On the 11th of December 1921 a service was held at Colne Road Wesleyan Church, Burnley, to commemorate a War Memorial Window and tablet. Wilfred was one of the soldiers remembered. His father died in May 1920 and his mother died in December 1926. They were both buried in the same grave as their son. His wife and son moved to Blackpool in 1930. She died in 1950 and her son Kenneth died in 1995.

(Courtesy of his grandson Neil Stephenson)