Died: In a bomb blast at 35 Central Avenue, Welling
Address / Local links: 35 Central Avenue, Welling
Family / Relatives: Daughter of Mr Charles James Henry Stevens. Sister of RAF casualty Piers Trevor Stevens.
Other Information: A Shorthand Typist
By early November 1940, the Luftwaffe was turning its attention to other cities away from London – Coventry, Bristol, Birmingham among others – but bombs still fell locally too – Erith, Bexleyheath and Welling were all hit on November 8th…
Joan was born on the 11th January 1922, the daughter of Mr. Charles James Henry Stevens of Woolwich, a draughtsman and cables factory manager and Lillian M Stevens (nee Knight) who had married in early 1920.
Aged just 18, these brief details from the civilian casualty register makes for particular reading;
“Died 10.30PM Blast at 35 Central Avenue
5ft 3ins Well built Fair hair, blue eyes Red painted fingernails
A shorthand typist
Body identified by father, Charles Henry Stevens
Buried 15th November Eltham Cemetery Family Grave
Personal effects – 1 white metal ring, green stone on 2nd finger r hand, 1 yellow metal wristwatch on black silk band”.
Tragically, Mr & Mrs Stevens family were to lose another child – RAF Sergeant Piers Trevor Stevens – in May 1944; he too is remembered on the St. Michael’s War Memorial Panel. https://www.ewt.org.uk/memorial-names/stevens-2/
(Pictured are a house of the era in Central Avenue and the entrance to Eltham Cemetery).
Commemorated
This story has been researched by volunteers. We have taken every effort to ensure its accuracy. If you are related to Joan Mary Stevens, or if you have any further information, please do get in touch.