Howard McLean Stephenson

Rank: 
Private
Regimental number: 
55714
Unit at enlistment: 
19th Battalion
Force: 
C.E.F.
Volunteered or conscripted: 
Volunteered
Survived the war: 
No
Date of death: 
October 30th, 1915
Cemetery: 
Ridge Wood Military Cemetery - Ypres, Belgium - II.L.12.
Birth country: 
Canada
Birth county: 
Bruce
Birth city: 
Port Elgin, Ontario
Address at enlistment: 
25 Wellington Street, Brantford, Ontario
Next of kin address: 
85 Gladstone Avenue, Windsor, Ontario
Trade or calling: 
Machinist
Employer: 
Brantford Scale Co.
Religious denominations: 
Presbyterian
Marital status: 
Single
Age at enlistment: 
25

Letters and documents

Cause and Place of Death: Killed in Action

BX November 19, 1915

Four Men, All from Brantford Were Killed by one Hun Shell – Lowes, O’Neill Brothers and Stephenson Were Quartet – Corp. Stephenson Enlisted at Brantford in Newman’s Company with O’Neill Boys

That the four members of Lt.-Col. McLaren’s 19th Battalion, who were recently killed by the explosion of a shell, while the 19th Battalion, in which their company was, was in the first line trenches, were all Brantford boys was definitely ascertained today, the fourth being Corp. Howard McLean Stephenson, for two years a resident of this city.

Two days ago it was known that Pte. J.H. Lowes had been killed, along with three others. Yesterday word was received that the O’Neill brothers, Percy and Vernon, had also been killed by the same shell, and the last list of casualties gave the fourth man as Corp. Howard McLean Stephenson, of Windsor Ont.

While the late Corp. Stephenson resided in Brantford, he lived with Mrs. E. Gilliard, 25 Wellington St. As soon as Mrs. Gilliard saw the casualty list, she recognized the name, which was given under his mother’s address, 85 Gladstone Avenue, Windsor.

Stephenson was employed in the Brantford Scale Company’s plant before enlisting and his intention had been to come back here, as he left all his belongings with Mrs. Gilliard. They heard from him continuously since he left here up to six weeks ago, and until his death was reported they have had no further word from him.

The young man was only 24 years of age and decidedly popular during his sojourn in Brantford. He left Brantford in the fall of 1914, with Major Newman’s company, spent the winter in Toronto, where they became part of the 19th Battalion. Early this year he went to England, and was at the front about two months before he was killed.