William Stephen was the son of George Stephen, Farm sevant and Catherine Wilson. At the time of his enlistment in the 4th, Reserve Battalion, of the Gordon Highlanders he was a farm servant and crofter in one of several small holdings at Weets, Wardhouse. His wife Barbara looked after the croft and their young family in his absence.

 

 

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William Stephen was awarded these medals for serving his King and Country in The Great War.

British War and Victory Medals
Move mouse over medals to view reverse

The British War Medal (left and Victory Medal (right) were awarded to all personnel.

 


The British War Medal 1914-1918
The medal takes the form of a solid silver medal with an image of a mounted figure of St George trampling the shield of the central powers with the dates 1914 and 1918 thereon. At the base is a skull and crossbones, symbolic of death, whilst above is the rising sun of victory. The reverse has the coinage head of George V.

Victory Medal 1914 - 1919
It was decided amongst the Allies that a common theme would be adopted and that each country would produce a medal to commemorate the Victory. This medal took various forms according to the country but a common item was the rainbow coloured ribbon. The British medal shows the winged victory on the front holding a palm branch in her right hand with the left outstretched. The reverse has the words "The Great War for Civilisation" surrounded by a laurel wreath.


The pair were affectionately known as "Mutt and Jeff".

The Victory Medal The British War Medal

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Victory Medal The British War Medal

 

William Stephen's headstone in Kennethmont Kirkyard (Old)

His wife and young daughter are also buried here.

The grave of William Stephen in Kennethmont Kirkyard ( Old)

 

Photographed April 2001