William John Stephens

Lance Corporal William John Stephens – Royal Army Service Corps

Early Life

William John Stephens was born in 1902, the son of Thomas and Elizabeth Stephens. Little is recorded of his early years, but by the time he reached adulthood, he had already taken on skilled work as a driver.

Marriage and Census

1921 Census

In 1920, William married Gertrude George. The following year, the couple were living at 32 Western Street, as recorded in the 1921 Census. At that time, William, aged 19, was employed as a motor lorry driver by R. Whittake, Beer and Stout Bottler. Gertrude, then 18, undertook the household duties.

Military Service

During the Second World War, William enlisted with the Royal Army Service Corps, where he attained the rank of Lance Corporal. The Corps played a vital role in supporting frontline troops, transporting supplies, equipment, and personnel across theatres of war.

Death

On 7^th November 1945, Lance Corporal William John Stephens died at the age of 43.

Burial

William’s burial was the last at Danygraig Cemetery in 1945. Like the aftermath of the First World War, deaths continued beyond the conflict itself, as servicemen succumbed to wounds or illnesses caused by their wartime service. His grave at Danygraig stands among those of fellow soldiers who endured the lasting cost of war.

Legacy

Although little detail survives about his personal story, Lance Corporal William John Stephens is remembered as part of the city’s wartime sacrifice. His final resting place at Danygraig Cemetery not only commemorates his service but also represents the broader reality that war’s toll extended well beyond the armistice, leaving lasting scars on families and communities.