IT is coming up to the 100th anniversary of the death of Bridport man Sidney Thompson Stephens, who died in the Battle of Passchendaele fought by the Allies on the Western Front, from July to November 1917.

And family member Hope Dimond - whose mother, pictured, Diana was his niece - is keen that he, and his fellow soldiers, are remembered for their sacrifice.

Sidney Thompson Stephens was the youngest son of Joseph Thompson Stephens of Wanderwell, senior partner of Wm Hounsell & Co and a leading citizen of Bridport, mayor, magistrate, sportsman and sailor.

He had three sons - John Augustus, Frederick Archer and Sidney Thompson, who all fought in World War One.

It was his youngest Sidney who won the Distinguished Conduct Medal and the Military Cross before he died on October 9, 1917.

His obituary appeared in the Bridport News on November 2, 1917:
"We deeply regret to announce that the worst fears as to the fate of Sec Lieut S.St Stephens, youngest son of of Mr and Mrs J.T Stephens of Wanderwell, have proved but too true.

The following letter has been received by his wife.

Dear Mrs Stephens - I am writing to tell you very sad news bout your husband. He was wounded during the battle on the 5th October and while being carried back by the stretcher bearers must have bene hit by a shell, as they never reached their destination. I can assure you that suffered no pain and for that we must be thankful. We all miss him much, he was so popular with everyone, and his men followed him anywhere.

His loss will not only be felt in his battalion, but also throughout the brigade.

"With deep regret from myself and all his Brother Officers, I am yours sincerely METHUEN NOEL, OC, no 4 co.

Since leaving the Royal Navy with the rank of lieutenant-commander, Mr Stephens has served both in the Worcestershire and the Devonshire regiments.

As a private, sergeant and as an officer, he has been at the latter regiment at the front.

He was wounded in the fighting at Loos early in 1916 and won distinctions, including the D.C.M and the Military Cross.

The official record of the circumstances under which the former was earned reads: "17810 Sergt. S.T Stephens, 9th Battalion Devonshire Regt.. for conspicuous gallantry.

"After machine gun officer had been killed, Sergt. Stephens took charge of two guns, bringing them up to the firing line.

Subsequently he exhibited great bravery and resource in assisting to hold the gun trench against hostile counter-attack."

The Military Cross was awarded: "For conspicuous gallantry during an attack when he led his platoon with the greatest courage against a strongly held point, accounting for several of the enemy with his revolver. He did not desist until he was seriously wounded by a bomb."

Lieut Stephens, as well as his two brothers, served in the South African war. 

Sidney's eldest brother was John Augustus, born in 1870.

He was educated at Sherborne School and studied Bridport's staple industry at North Mills, London and Hungary before joining his father at William Hounsell and Co and later becoming partner.

He was offered the command of a battalion the the Wessex Artillery Brigade after the outbreak of war and went on to command the 3rd Wessex Brigade in India but was invalided home in 1916.

He spent a year on sick leave before being given the command of a training brigade but his health broke down again and he was invalided out.

He went on to supervise flax production in the Yeovil area and lived in Evershot. He married and had two sons.

The middle brother Major Frederick Archer, pictured, qualified at King's College and after a short period in general practice, became assistant to a hospital for mental diseases.

He volunteered as a civilian surgeon in the South African war.

He later served in India and was invalided home in 1912.

He rejoined his unit in August 1914 and was in command of the first ambulance ship, the St Andrew, to cross to France to fetch the wounded from Mons.

He was among the first of 12 officers to be decorated with the D.S.O by King George V.

In 1916 he served with the Serbian Army in Mesopotamia and was decorated by King Peter.

During his service there he negotiated with the Rev A Milne MFH of the Cattistock, to obtain two couples of hounds from Prince George of Serbia.

In the Second World War he was one of the first to join the West Bay Platoon, which with Eype formed the original Eype Company of the Local Defence Volunteers.

In spite of his age and rank he insisted on being a private and taking his turn at night observations.
He married Inez Glover in 1922 and had one daughter.