British Campaign and Gallantry Medals

Five: Second Lieutenant F. Stevenson, Royal Fusiliers, late Serjeant-Trumpeter, 6th Dragoon Guards, killed in action, 29 April 1917

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 5 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (3418 Pte., 6th Dragoon Gds.); 1914 Star, with copy slip-on clasp (3418 Sjt. Trtr., 6/D. Gds.); British War and Victory Medals (2 Lieut.); Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (3418 Sjt. Tptr., 6/D.G.) mounted court style for wear, Q.S.A. with edge bruising, fine; others good very fine and better (5) £480-520

Frederick Stevenson was born in St. Saviour, on the isle of Jersey. On 16 March 1896, aged 14 years, 2 months, he attested for long service with the Corps of Dragoons of the Line. Posted to the 6th Dragoon Guards, he was appointed a Bandsman in December 1896, a Private in March 1898, and a Trumpeter in March 1903. With the regiment, he served in South Africa, January 1900-August 1902, and again in October 1908-January 1913. Promoted to Serjeant-Tumpeter in July 1907, he entered the France/Flanders theatre of war on 6 August 1914. In December 1914 he was awarded the Army Long Service Medal with a £5 Gratuity. In November 1916 he was attached to the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards and on 9 March 1917 was discharged to a commission with the 22nd Battalion Royal Fusiliers. 2nd Lieutenant Frederick Stevenson was reported missing on 29 April 1917 and was later confirmed as being killed on that date.

‘7099 Private J. Austen, 22nd Battalion Royal Fusiliers’ stated, ‘2nd Lt. F. Stevenson was killed by a machine-gun bullet through the head. He was leading my platoon at the time & had taken us as far as the German wire. The wire was not properly cut & while we were trying to get through it, the Germans were playing their machine-guns on us. Lt. Stevenson was firing at one of the machine-guns with his revolver when he fell. Soon after this we had to retire to own trench, as it was impossible to get through just there. That was the last I saw of Lt. Stevenson, one of the best officers I ever had. The above happened on the morning of the 29th or 30th of April, just before daybreak, in front of Oppy Wood’.

With copied m.i.c. and a quantity of copied service papers.