Officer Cadet Wilson Stevenson (6355702) served in the Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment during the Second World War. Born on 10th December 1927, he was the son of the late William Stevenson and Margaret Stevenson (née Kernohan) of Crankill, Ballymena, Co. Antrim.
William and Margaret married on 23rd July 1925 in Teeshan, Ballymena, Co. Antrim before moving to Birkenhead, Merseyside, England, where Wilson was born. The couple also had a daughter Helen Margaret Stevenson born on 7th September 1935 who died in infancy on 15th November 1935.
William received the Military Medal for gallantry in the field while serving as a Corporal with North Irish Horse in The Great War. He enlisted in November 1915 and served in France in 1916. He later worked in the hardware trade before his death on 12th November 1944.
Death after the War
Officer Cadet Wilson Stevenson died on 2nd November 1946 aged 19 years old as a result of a motorcycling accident in Liverpool, Lancashire, England. He was returning to his Regiment based at Warrington, Lancashire, England, and spent several weeks in hospital receiving treatment for his injuries. His death occurred at Winwick Military Hospital, Cheshire, England.
Wilson Stevenson’s grave is in Section A, Row 24, Grave 6 of Ballymena Cemetery, Ballymena, Co. Antrim. The funeral service took place on the morning of 5th November 1946. His name does not feature on the Ballymena War Memorial.