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Stephen Edward HANDLEY

Main CPGW Record

Surname: HANDLEY

Forename(s): Stephen Edward

Place of Birth: Sedbergh, Yorkshire

Service No: 32404

Rank: Private

Regiment / Corps / Service: South Staffordshire Regiment

Battalion / Unit: 2nd Battalion

Division: 2nd Division

Age: 19

Date of Death: 1917-05-03

Awards: ---

CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: Bay 6.

CWGC Cemetery: ---

CWGC Memorial: ARRAS MEMORIAL

Non-CWGC Burial: ---

Local War Memorial: SEDBERGH, YORKSHIRE

Additional Information:

Stephen Edward Handley was the son of Stephen Robinson and Elizabeth Handley, née Richardson. Both parents were born at Sedbergh, Yorkshire.

1901 Sedbergh, Yorkshire Census: Folly Court - Stephen E. Handley, born Sedbergh, aged 3 years, son of Stephen R. and Elizabeth Handley.

1911 Sedbergh, Yorkshire Census: Bainbridge Road - Stephen E. Handley, aged 13 years, born Sedbergh, son of Stephen R. and Elizabeth Handley.

British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Pte Stephen E. Handley, 32404, South Staffordshire Regiment.

A short biography of Stephen is included in: ‘Sedbergh and District 1914-1918 – But who shall return the children?’ Compiled by Sedbergh and District History Society. Edited by Diane Elphick (2016).

Data Source: Craven’s Part in the Great War - original CPGW book entry

View Entry in CPGW Book

Entry in West Yorkshire Pioneer Illustrated War Record: ---

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Private Stephen Edward HANDLEY

Private Stephen Edward HANDLEY

Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: South Staffordshire Regiment

Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: South Staffordshire Regiment

Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 2nd Division

Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 2nd Division

Data from Soldiers Died in the Great War 1914 - 1919 Records

Soldiers Died Data for Soldier Records

Surname: HANDLEY

Forename(s): Stephen Edward

Born: Sedbergh, Yorks

Residence: Sedbergh, Yorks

Enlisted: Kendal, Westmorland

Number: 32404

Rank: Private

Regiment: South Staffordshire Regiment

Battalion: 2nd Battalion

Decorations:

Died Date: 03/05/17

Died How: Killed in action

Theatre of War: France & Flanders

Notes:

Data from Commonwealth War Graves Commission Records

CWGC Data for Soldier Records

Surname: HANDLEY

Forename(s): Stephen Edward

Country of Service: United Kingdom

Service Number: 32404

Rank: Private

Regiment: South Staffordshire Regiment

Unit: 2nd Bn.

Age:

Awards:

Died Date: 03/05/1917

Additional Information:

View Additional Text

View Additional Text For Soldier Records

‘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.

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