Discovering the stories behind personal memorials to those who served in war by those who knew them best
Wars Last Goodbyes
Individual Record
Inscription
In proud and loving memory of Edgar Anthony Stephenson, Royal Marines
Drowned on active service 25th April 1943 Aged 18 years and 8 months
They shall not grow old
As we that are left grow old
Age shall not weary them
And the years condemn
At the going down of the sun
And in the morning
We will remember them
Place of Inscription
Evesham Cemetery
Worcestershire
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Edgar Anthony
Stephenson
14th August 1924
West Ham, Essex
25th April 1943
Drowned after the Landing Craft Gun 15 Edgar was on board, was capsized in stormy weather off the coast of Freshwater Beach West off Milford Haven on the Pembrokeshire coast along with its fellow LCG 14, and the rescue ship HMS Rosemary with the loss of around 80 men including Edgar
18
Waterside Cemetery, Evesham, Worcestershire
Second World War
Marine
Royal Marines
HM Landing Craft Gun (L) 15
Edgar had a twin brother who in the war was serving with the REME. His funeral in Evesham was attended by over 200 people. The incidents that led to the sinkings off Milford Haven became a political issue after it was revealed (although not publically during the war) that the LCGs were prototype landing craft designed for use in the landings in Sicily, Anzio and eventually Normandy - converted from simple landing craft to being armed with guns manned by Marines like Edgar. A group of sailors and marines picked up the crafts from Haarland and Wolff in Belfast and sailed them for Falmouth. Rough weather set in and after the ships were denied entry into the harbour at Fishguard, they headed for Milford Haven. Too late in too rough seas, a lifeboat in for repair and men from HMS Rosemary who came to help them also lost their lives - the LCGs designed for coastal action with flat-bottomed hulls weren't ever designed for rough seas and capsized. Men drowned and were flung into the cold stormy sea. Many bodies were never found but some like Edgar were able to find their way home.
Other Records from the same place:
First World War
James Kay
Horsfield
1st Battalion Canterbury Regiment New Zealand Expeditionary Force
