Stephen Edward HANDLEY

‘The Westmorland Gazette’ (2 June 1917)

(Kindly supplied by Sedbergh & District History Society)

SEDBERGH – KILLED IN ACTION

HANDLEY, Pte. S.E. Mr. and Mrs. Handley, of Sedbergh, have received official intimation that their eldest son, Pte. Stephen Edward Handley, of the South Staffordshire Regt., was killed in action on the 3rd May. He was 19, and joining the army in November last, proceeded to the front in the first week of February. Before that he was employed in the printing department of Messrs. Jackson and Son’s business at Sedbergh. He was a pleasant, well-behaved and courteous lad, and much liked by all who knew him.

‘The Westmorland Gazette’ (9 June 1917)

(Kindly supplied by Sedbergh & District History Society)

HANDLEY – Killed in action in France, May 3rd, Stephen Edward (Teddie), the beloved eldest son of Stephen R. and Elizabeth Handley, Sedbergh. Friends please accept this, the only, intimation.

‘The Westmorland Gazette’ (9 June 1917)

(Kindly supplied by Sedbergh & District History Society)

MEMORIAL SERVICES – SEDBERGH

On Sunday, the Rev. W.B. Trewhella conducted a memorial service in the Wesleyan Chapel, in memory of Pte. Stephen Edward Handley, South Staffordshires, who was killed in action in France on May 3rd. Taking as text the words “Be thou faithful unto death and I will give thee the crown of life,” he referred to Mr. Handley’s faithfulness in all the details of his life and said that no one who knew him but would confirm the statement, that he tried to make the world better and sweeter for his presence in it. He was one of the best and brightest young fellows associated with the Wesleyan Chapel at Sedbergh. Mr. Handley was only 19 years of age and will be missed by many acquaintances. There was a large congregation.

‘The Westmorland Gazette’ (20 December 1919)

(Kindly supplied by Sedbergh & District History Society)

UNVEILING OF MEMORIAL TABLET

A service was held in the Sedbergh Wesleyan Chapel on Sunday evening on the occasion of the unveiling of a tablet in the chapel to the memory of the men of the Sedbergh Wesleyan circuit who made the great sacrifice during the war. The tablet was unveiled by the superintendent minister, Rev. C.H. Stanley, in the presence of a crowded congregation, and he preached a sermon appropriate to the occasion. Suitable hymns were sung, and the choir sang the chorus, ‘No shadows yonder,’ from Gaul’s ‘Holy City.’ Mrs. Stanley sang ‘These are they which came out of great tribulation,’ a solo from the same work. The Dead March in ‘Saul’ was played by Mr. H.C. Trotter. The tablet is of white marble, and bears the following inscription:–‘Roll of heroes in the great war, 1914-1919. Sedbergh Wesleyan circuit. To the glory of God and in grateful memory of William E. Armer, 7th Border Regt.; Fred Bushby, Royal Engineers; Stephen E. Handley, 2nd South Staffs.; Thomas E. Haresnape, Royal Engineers; William Mason, 13th Batt. King’s Own Yorkshires; George Middleton, 4th Australian Pioneers; John Nelson, Royal Scots; Walter Sanderson, Duke of Wellington’s; Robert E. Seddon, 11th Border Regt.; John Winn, 16th Lancashire Fusiliers. Who have given their lives for their country. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.