In February 1918 Chailey Parish Magazine notes Stevens, Pte F, 6th Buffs.  Three months later, in May, it notes that he has been wounded and then, in July, that he has been invalided.  This information then appears regularly every month up to and including the final published roll call in July 1919.

 

F Stevens is possibly Frank Stevens who appears on the 1901 census of England and Wales as a two year old, born in Lindfield but living at North Common, Chailey.  The household comprised Trayton Farley (head, aged 63, a district council roadman), his wife Celia (aged 61), his son Francie Thomas (aged 19, an ordinary farm labourer) and two grandchildren: Gennette Sandalls (aged 14, working as a “nurse girl”) and Frank Stevens.  There was also a boarder at the house: Thomas Farrant, a widower and retired farmer aged 75, and a visitor: Violet Ethel Wyatt aged 25, a general servant.

 

Michael of the Great War Forum writes:

 

The only F Stevens that was discharged with an SWB from the Buffs was Fred Whiting Stevens. He had enlisted in Jan 1918 and was discharged with sickness in June 1919 not having gone overseas. I believe that men had to claim these badges so Frank may have been discharged but not applied for his badge.

 

Sources and Acknowledgements

 

• 1901 Census of England and Wales
• Chailey Parish Magazine
• Michael of the Great War Forum for help with this man and other Buffs soldiers