Reference
Z145/259
Title
Tribute and Memoir to Frederick Edward Stevens (1912-2014)
Date free text
2016
Production date
From: 2016 To: 2016
Admin/biog history
Born on 23rd May 1912 in Islington, London before growing up in Lambeth and Kennington. He had an aptitude for music from a young age becoming chorister at St Stephen's Walbrook and other churches. Awarded a scholarship to the London Academy of Music by London County Council. At the age of fiftee he was an assistant organist at Christ Church, Woburn Square. Between 1918-1925 he was a pupil at Lawn Lane Elementary School, before gaining a free place at Dulwich College.
Frederick joined St Catharine's College, Cambridge in 1931 reading modern and medieval languages, and a degree in music. After graduation, Frederick became director of music and assistant master of modern languages at Giggleswick School, North Yorkshire. In 1939 he moved to a teaching post at Aldenham School.
At the outbreak of the Second World War, Frederick joined the Home Guard whilst waiting for his call up when he joined the army in 1940 and sent to the chemical warfare division of the Royal Engineers. Frederick later became a comissioned officer and was part of an intelligence gathering unit based a Felsted School, Essex. He later joined the intellidence division of the 21st Army Group.
Frederick married on the 11th April 1944 to Alice Laborde. On demobilisation Frederick returned to teaching at Aldenham. In 1947 he was appointed by Bedfordshire Local Education Authority as the first county adviser for music and drama.
In 1952 his post as County Adviser was cut and he became assistant director of education, before becoming Chief Inspector of the Bedfordshire Local Education Authority which he held until the reorginisation of local government in 1974.
On moving to Bedfordshire, he became conductor of Biggleswade Choral Society, and became involved in the Bedford Musical Society (later Bedford Choral Society). Between 1952 and 1965 Frederick acted as choral master of the Society.
Frederick's wife Alice died in a road accident at Grayshott, Hampshire on 11th August 1960, he remarried at a later point, but the marriage did not last. In 1974 he became a Drama Adviser. He continued to live in Felmersham 2009 , playing organ at Milton Ernest, before moving into a care home at Putnoe, and later Sharnbrook House.
Level of description
item