Rev Sydney Thomas STEVENS MC AKC

  General Notes:

Sydney was referred to a lot by my mother in law - particularly because he remained a vicar right up to his death at the age of 94. We knew nothing about his connection to the family until starting this research. Eventually discovering that he was my mother in law's first cousin once removed.

Birth Registered Mar qtr 1888, Totnes Devon Vol 5b P155 - actually Paignton. Although born in Nov 1887 not registered until 9 Jan 1888

Death Mar 1982
Stevens Sydney Thomas, 17 NO 1887, Torbay 21 2618

Crockford's Clerical Directory 1932 (on Ancestry.co.uk)
On page 1241 of the book, page 1246 of the images
STEVENS, Sydney Thomas - M.C 1917. A.K.C 1925. Wells Th Coll 1925. d 1925, p 1926 Ches. C. of Ch. Ch. Crewe, 1925-27; St Johns, City and Dio. Ches. from 1927. St. John's Rectory, Chester.

WW1 Medal cards (ancestry.co.uk)
STEVENS Sydney Thomas MC, Border R 2 Lieut
Victory Medal and British Medal roll Bord.R/off/109 page 193
remarks I.V. B/2970 d/12-11-27
NW/8/28809
appen' for M??? d/ 20/10/27
Address 21 Heatfield Avenue, Crewe

1891 census
RG12/1707 F99 P3 and P4
Winner Street, Paignton, Devon
Thomas Stevens, Head, M, 37, Bootmaker and Letter Carrier, Devon Tetcott
Maria Stevens, Wife, M, 35, , Cornwall Boyton
Digory G Stevens, Son, , 7, Scholar, Devon Paignton
Frederick Stevens, Son, , 5, Scholar, Devon Paignton
Sidney Thos Stevens, Son, , 3, , Devon Paignton
Arthur D Stevens, Son, , 2, , Devon Paignton

1901 census
RG13/2063 F90 P18
38A Winner Street, Paignton, Devon
Thomas Stevens, Head, M, 47, Boot Maker, Tetcot Devon
Maria do, Wife, M, 45, , Boyton Cornwall
Digory G do, Son, S, 17, Carpenters Apprentice, Paignton Devon
Fred W J do, Son, S, 15, Tailors Apprentice, Paignton Devon
Sidney T do, Son, S, 14, , Paignton Devon
Arthur L do, Son, S, 13, Errand Boy Part Time, Paignton Devon

There is a stained glass window in the church (Collaton St Mary) in his honour with a traced
illustration of the MC incorprated into it

An extract from an article by an admirer of Sydney that is to appear in a local newspaper

LITTLE MAN: BIG HEART

AT HOME we had the oldest vicar in the UK. Sydney rocked up in an old Austin
A35 complete with his cat 'Smokey' and his housekeeper. He stayed till his
death at 94 and was the stuff of legends and anecdotes. As a kid I knew that
we had someone really funny living up the road. Larger than life, although
barely five foot six inches tall, he announced that he didnt believe in
retirement. He became so popular that the people wouldnt let him go. We just
wanted more and more.

He knew everyone and everyone knew him. It was his driving. He had never
passed the test and to sit next to him was like a trip on the big dipper.

You could see the road underneath the passenger seat as the floor had rusted
away. He never bothered with an MoT. Or traffic lights. Someone definitely
looked after him.

His vicarage was crammed from floor to ceiling with antiques and works of
art. They had all been left to him over the years by admirers. He never
locked the door and keep open house till gone midnight. It was a home for
anyone who called, church or non-church, rich or a passing tramp. And people
called daily by the dozen.

He had many burglaries. He never seemed to mind. He soon forgave even those
who pinched the lead from the church roof. People came just to listen or be
with him. Walking with him to town was like walking with a pop star.

As well as the humour there was a serious side. As a temporary infantry
officer in the First World War, Sydney had been awarded the MC at the Somme
for 'conspicuous gallantry'. he led his men on in attack although seriously
wounded. He had refused to be treated at the dressing station until the
objective had been reached and his men were safe. His platoon remembered him
going over the trench and waving his revolver and laughing. I have his
autograph book somewhere. They wrote under a drawing of him:

'little man; big heart'

The secret of Sydney's long and amazing life was his love of people. He
didnt care what they were like or whether they smelt or not. And they, in
their turn, loved him. There's going to be a big local celebration this year
to commemorate the 25th anniversary of his death. Of course, he was a saint.
But he would have been cross with me for saying that.

  Noted events in his life were:

• Military Award: Military Cross, 1917.

• Education: Assoc Kings College (AKC), 1925, London, England.

• Education: Wells Theological College, 1925, Wells, Somerset, England.

• Occupation: Curate of Christ Church, Between 1925 and 1927, Crewe, Cheshire, England.

• Ordination: Deacon, 1925.

• Ordination: Priest, 1926. By Bishop of Chester

• Occupation: Curate, Between 1927 and 1933, St John, Chester, Cheshire, England.

• Occupation: Vicar of Crewe, Between 1933 and 1939, Crewe, Cheshire, England.

• Occupation: Vicar, Between 1939 and 1948, Wrenbury With Baddiley, Cheshire, England.

• Occupation: Vicar of Collaton St Mary, Between 1948 and 1982, Paignton, Devon, England. Still a vicar when he died, aged 94