Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of William Stevenson, a hosiery trade worker, born 1857 in Barrow upon Soar, Leicestershire and his wife Catherine Stevenson (nee Tuckwood, married in the 3rd quarter of 1876 in the Barrow upon Soar, Leicestershire district), born 1859 in Quorn, Leicestershire. Silas, a schoolboy, was born in the 4th quarter of 1887 in Quorn, his siblings were, Emma, a cotton winder, born 1879, George, a schoolboy, born 1880, Fanny, a schoolgirl, born 1883, Kate, a schoolgirl, born 1885 and William, born 1891, all his siblings were born in Quorn, also residing in the family home was Silas’s widowed maternal Grandmother, Bridget Caudle, born 1811 in Ireland, in April 1891 the family home was at Quorn. In March 1901 Silas was employed as a wagoners farm boy and was residing in the family home at Quorn, together with his father, a cotton preparer, his mother and siblings, Emma, a silk winder, George an elastic trade worker, Fanny, an elastic trade weaver, Kate an elastic trade weaver, William, Clara, born 1894 and Percy, born 1896, the latter two siblings were both born in Quorn, also residing with the family were Silas’s Nephew, Tom William Stevenson, born 1900 and Niece, Bridget M. Stevenson, born 1900, the latter two children were both born in Quorn. In the 3rd quarter of 1905 in the Loughborough, Leicestershire district, Silas’s father died aged 48. In April 1911 Silas was absent from the family home at Station Road, Quorn, residing there was his widowed mother, a cook and his siblings, Clara, a weaver and Percy a rubber trade worker, Silas was serving as a Private with the 1st Battalion Leicestershire Regiment stationed in Aldershot.
Silas attested into the Army on a Short Service engagement of 7 years with the Colours and 5 years in the Reserve on the 18th May 1908 in Loughborough. He gave his place of birth as Quorn, Loughborough, Leicester, his age as 20 years and 2 months and his trade or calling as farm labourer. He confirmed that he was unmarried. He gave his mother, Catherine Stevenson of Stanley Cottages, Quorn, Leicestershire, his older brother, George Stevenson of Coalville, Leicestershire, his younger brother, William Stevenson, serving with the Leicestershire Regiment and his younger brother Percy Stevenson of Stanley Cottages, Quorn, Leicestershire as his next of kin. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 4¼ inches in height, weighed 125 pounds and he had a chest measurement of between 32½ and 35 inches. His complexion was described as fresh, his hair colour as brown and he had grey eyes. It was noted that he had a small scar on his left knee cap. He gave his religion as Wesleyan. He was pronounced fit for the Army on the 19th May 1908 in Leicester. His record of service began when he joined the Depot of the Leicestershire Regiment as a Private, service number 8361 on the 19/5/08. Posted to Shorncliffe on the 19/11/08. Posted to Aldershot on the 5/1/10. Posted to Fermoy, Ireland on the 28/9/12. Posted to Leicester on the 1/4/14. Embarked with the 1st Battalion Leicestershire Regiment to join the British Expeditionary Force in France on the 8/9/14. Disembarked in St. Nazaire on the 10/9/14. Appointed Acting Lance Corporal (unpaid) on the 25/3/15. Reverts to Private at his own request on the 29/5/15. Wounded in action, in the field on the 4/10/15. Admitted to the 11th Field Ambulance suffering from a gunshot wound to the left hip and buttock on the 4/10/15. Admitted to the 8th General Hospital on the 7/10/15. Transferred to Base Details in Boulogne on the 7/11/15. Joined the Infantry Brigade Depot in Rouen on the 18/11/15. Rejoined the 1st Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, in the field on the 20/11/15. A summary of his service records: Home Service, 18/5/08 – 8/9/14, 6 years 134 days. British Expeditionary Force, France, 9/9/14 – 15/9/16, 2 years 8 days. Total service 8 years 142 days. Silas was awarded the 1914 Star, British War and Victory medals. The following information was provided by Silas’s mother Kate Gifford on the 19th August 1920, and was witnessed and signed by David Dewar, Clerk in Holy Orders, Holy Trinity Vicarage, Loughborough on ARMY FORM W. 5080 (Information on deceased soldier’s family) Father of soldier none. Mother of soldier, Mrs. Kate Gifford of 60, New King Street, Loughborough. Full blood brothers of soldier, George Stevenson, age 41 of 78, Melbourne Street, Coalville. Percy Stevenson, age 25 of 60, New King Street, Loughborough. Full blood sisters of soldier, Emma Williamson, age 43 of 12, Brandon Avenue, Toronto, Canada. Kate Deacon, age 35, address not known. Fanny Clarke, age 37 of 24, Queen Street, Loughborough. Clara Stevenson, age 27 of 60, New King Street, Loughborough. Silas’s surviving service documents are in a very poor condition, and much of the finer detail relating to the period of time that he spent in the Army, is either illegible or missing, hence the sparse overall description of his military and personal family history.
The War Diary records: 15 Sep-16 - Battalion moved into its attack position during the night and were finally settled down and ready to attack by 4.30am. 2nd Lieutenant Davis attached Q 6th Division. The Commanding Officer decided to attack with “D” and “B” Companies in the front line, with “D” on the left and “B” on the right. “A” and “C” Companies formed the second line, with “A” on the left and “C” on the right. Two Lewis Guns accompanied each Company, and two were left in reserve with Battalion Headquarters. Two Bombing Squads of ten each were also formed in each Company. These squads carried the full amount of bombs, while every man also carried two Mills No.5 bombs (one in each pocket). The fighting strength of the Battalion going into action was 23 officers including (the Medical Officer and Chaplain) and 643 other ranks. About 5.50am two enemy aeroplanes appeared above us, but did not stay long. About this time also, a Tank was noticed on our right moving quietly up to the enemy’s front line. On arriving there he immediately opened fire with his machine guns, enfilading the German trench on either side. He was very heavily fired on by the enemy’s machine guns which apparently had no effect as he still continued his movements and firing. Nothing further happened till ZERO (6.20am) when the attack commenced. The leading Company’s at once advanced at the walk in from lines 30X entrance between lines. A heavy machine gun fire was immediately opened by the enemy from about T.15 b 0.4. The Support Companies followed on in the same formation 300X in the rear of the last wave of the leading Company. Battalion Headquarters moved immediately in the rear of the last wave of Support Companies. The mist and smoke was terribly thick, and allowed no observation by the Support Company’s and Battalion Headquarters as to what was exactly happening to the leading Companies. Owing to this (mist and smoke) a slight error occurred in direction. The right and left under orders to keep in touch with units attacking on our right and left, moved with these units thereby causing a small gap near our centre. This was immediately filled up by Support Companies. The Artillery barrage opened too late to do any harm as the whole of the Supports had crossed the road moving due south from GINCHY (the place where the barrage was directed) before the barrage commenced. Battalion Headquarters had by this time moved into a shell hole about T.14 b 7.4. Throughout the advance the Battalion suffered very heavily from Machine Gun fire. The Battalion had not gained its objective line held up by very heavy fire, and the very strong and undamaged wire of the trench leading from the North West corner of the Left Quadrilateral (a strong point hitherto unknown). “A” Company immediately entrenched itself on a small ridge about T.14 b 9.6 to T.14 b 8.2. Efforts were made to locate the exact positions of “B,” “C” and “D” Companies. It was found that “B” and “C” were entrenched about T.14 b 7.7. had lost very heavily while unsupported. “D” Company had lost very heavily also and the remainder (“D” Company) were still advancing with the GUARDS and occupying shell holes between our new position and the German wire ( a few of the latter came in under the cover of darkness). Good communication was kept with the contact aeroplane by means of flares and groundsheets throughout the day. Great difficulties were experienced in keeping track with Brigade Headquarters owing to the impossibility of using means of wired signalling, and the heavy barrage kept up throughout the day making it impossible for a runner to succeed in getting through. And then later Private PARRY (“A” Company) did excellent work in getting through and returning safely to us, thus three times saving the day, he was finally detained by Brigade Headquarters after a fourth journey. Throughout the day the trenches were improved, and by night everyone had more or less good cover. “A” Company, “B” Company and Headquarters were subjected to heavy shell fire throughout the day. “B” and “C” Company were moved up to where our new line was continued to the right and left. The night was quiet except for heavy sniping in front of “C” Company and its attack on one line of trenches and a communication trench (in course of construction) line carried without any serious opposition. These were occupied by the 9th Bavarian Regiment. No prisoners were taken. Casualties, 2nd Lieutenant J. C. WEBB, 2nd Lieutenant J. G. KENNEDY and Lieutenant A. H. PINDER were all killed. 2nd Lieutenant F. B. STEVENSON, Captain H. PICKBOURNE, 2nd Lieutenant H. A. GRAVES, 2nd Lieutenant W. BLACKLOCK, Captain G. H. SALMON, Lieutenant J. H. JOHN and 2nd Lieutenant R. PICKERSGILL were all wounded. Captain C. W. HERBISON, 2nd Lieutenant G. H. GRISTWOOD, 2nd Lieutenant J. BURNETT and 2nd Lieutenant J. G. GARDNER were all wounded and subsequently died. Other Ranks, “A” Company 23, “B” Company 35, “C” Company 23 and “D” Company 27 were killed. “A” Company 36, “B” Company 69, “C”. Company 56 and “D” Company 60 were wounded. “A” Company 5, “B” Company 11, “C” Company nil and “D” Company 16 missing in action.
On Friday October 27th 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “LOCAL MEN IN THE CASUALTY LISTS.” – The following casualties in the Leicestershire Regiment. Some of which have already been notified from other sources, were officially reported on Friday. All are privates except where otherwise shown. KILLED. Stevenson, 8361 S. (Quorn).