Frederick J. Stephens
Encyclopedia
Frederick John Stephens is an English author
of several militaria
books. They are used as reference books by Third Reich collectors all over the world.
escaped persecution by fleeing to England
in this period, and the majority settled in Lancashire
, where they established the cotton industry.
In World War II
, the Stephens family was engaged in essential war work, and this continued into the post-war years, mostly in the construction of furnaces and other industrial complexes essential to the development of post-war Britain. Much of this work was undertaken in the redevelopment of the Clydebank
area of Glasgow
- a location which had been seriously affected by intensive German bombing; and for which rebuilding was a priority.
area (home of the father) and settled there. Frederick, the only child, was enlisted at the Lord Derby Grammar School in the late 1950s, and from there was awarded an Apprenticeship in Printing at the concern of F. Collins and Co., Printers, in Bury
, a small township just north of Manchester. Originally working as a compositor (a setter of type, by hand), his entire working career was spent in and around printing and publishing, in every capacity within the industry, and at all levels.
Having pursued many areas of collecting since childhood (when war souvenirs from the Third Reich were relatively commonplace in post-war Britain), the concept of producing a book about Third Reich edged weapons became a viable possibility through a first-hand understanding of the printing trade, and how to get a book self-published. It was this opportunity that opened the way for many other future publications.
Author
An author is broadly defined as "the person who originates or gives existence to anything" and that authorship determines responsibility for what is created. Narrowly defined, an author is the originator of any written work.-Legal significance:...
of several militaria
Militaria
Militaria are artifacts or replicas of military, police, etc., collected for their historical significance. Such antiques include firearms, swords, knives, and other weapons such as; uniforms, helmets, other military headgear, and armour; military orders and decorations; challenge coins and...
books. They are used as reference books by Third Reich collectors all over the world.
Family background
On the maternal side, the family is of Irish and Scottish ancestry; and on the paternal side the background is that of English and Flemish origin. It is most probable that the "Stephens" side came to England during the time of the campaign against the Hugenots (circa 1580). Many people from the Low CountriesLow Countries
The Low Countries are the historical lands around the low-lying delta of the Rhine, Scheldt, and Meuse rivers, including the modern countries of Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and parts of northern France and western Germany....
escaped persecution by fleeing to England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
in this period, and the majority settled in Lancashire
Lancashire
Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
, where they established the cotton industry.
In World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, the Stephens family was engaged in essential war work, and this continued into the post-war years, mostly in the construction of furnaces and other industrial complexes essential to the development of post-war Britain. Much of this work was undertaken in the redevelopment of the Clydebank
Clydebank
Clydebank is a town in West Dunbartonshire, in the Central Lowlands of Scotland. Situated on the north bank of the River Clyde, Clydebank borders Dumbarton, the town with which it was combined to form West Dunbartonshire, as well as the town of Milngavie in East Dunbartonshire, and the Yoker and...
area of Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
- a location which had been seriously affected by intensive German bombing; and for which rebuilding was a priority.
Education and work
By the early 1950s, the Stephens family had moved back from Glasgow (home of the mother) to the ManchesterManchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
area (home of the father) and settled there. Frederick, the only child, was enlisted at the Lord Derby Grammar School in the late 1950s, and from there was awarded an Apprenticeship in Printing at the concern of F. Collins and Co., Printers, in Bury
Bury
Bury is a town in Greater Manchester, England. It lies on the River Irwell, east of Bolton, west-southwest of Rochdale, and north-northwest of the city of Manchester...
, a small township just north of Manchester. Originally working as a compositor (a setter of type, by hand), his entire working career was spent in and around printing and publishing, in every capacity within the industry, and at all levels.
Having pursued many areas of collecting since childhood (when war souvenirs from the Third Reich were relatively commonplace in post-war Britain), the concept of producing a book about Third Reich edged weapons became a viable possibility through a first-hand understanding of the printing trade, and how to get a book self-published. It was this opportunity that opened the way for many other future publications.