Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Lieutenant E. G. Stevens, West Yorkshire Regiment, late Devonshire Regiment, taken prisoner at Baupaume, March 1918

1914-15 Star (11053 Pte., Devon R.); British War and Victory Medals (2 Lieut.), mounted as worn, good very fine (3) £200-250

Ernest George Stevens was born on 1 November 1896, the son of F. Stevens of Pulchrass Street, Barnstaple, Devon. He was educated at Holy Trinity Boys school, Barnstaple and on leaving school became a local Grocer’s Apprentice. With the onset of war, Stevens, then aged 17, attested for service with the Devonshire Regiment,on 5 September 1914, falsifying his age as 19. Posted to the 9th (Service) Battalion, he was sent to France on 27 July 1915, his unit being part of the 20th Infantry Brigade, 7th Division. The division took part in the following actions, the Battle of Loos, 25 September - 8 October 1915; the Battle of Albert, 1 13 July 1916; the Battle of Bazentin, 14 - 17 July; the Battle of Delville Wood, 15 July - 3 September and the Battle of Guillemont, 3 - 6 September 1916. Following this intense action, Sergeant Stevens was sent to England as a candidate for an Officer Training Course. He was duly commissioned into the West Yorkshire Regiment on 29 May 1917, and was later posted to the 15th (Service) Battalion (1st Leeds) for service on the Western Front. The battalion formed part of the 93rd Infantry Brigade, 31st (New Army) Division, and owing to its depleted strength by December 1917, it was amalgamated with the 17th (Service) Battalion (2nd Leeds), West Yorkshire Regiment, adopting the title 15th/17th Battalion. Under its new designation, the battalion met the onslaught of ‘Ludendorff’s’ Offensive at St. Quentin, 21-23 March 1918 and again at Baupaume, 24 - 25 March, being overwhelmed by the attack. 2nd Lieutenant Stevens was amongst those reported ‘Missing - Prisoner of War, 27 March 1918’. His statement, made when repatriated in April 1919 records that he was with ‘D’ Company when captured, unwounded, at Moyenville, near Arras. Steven was promoted Lieutenant in November 1918. The following year he relinquished his commission and joined the Metropolitan Police Force as a Constable. Sold with a folder of copied service details and research.