Ann Stephens (Actress)

[Richard194401]

After an annoying registration process I was able to post this comment.  Anne Stephens died tragically in an automobile accident in 1966.

From the website: https://patheticfacts.com/british-actresses-died-before-turning-40.html

Ann Stephens

Ann Stephens (May 21, 1931 London-July 15, 1966 England) otherwise known as Anne Stephens or Stephens, Ann was a British actor.

She began her acting career on stage and later transitioned to film and television. Some of her notable film credits include "The Angel Who Pawned Her Harp" (1954) and "The Adventures of Robin Hood" (1955). Stephens also appeared in several television shows such as "The Benny Hill Show" and "The Adventures of Aggie." She was known for her talent as a singer and released several singles in the 1950s. Stephens tragically died in a car accident at the young age of 35 in 1966.

[aghadowey]

Welcome to Rootschat 

I'm not sure what was annoying about the registration process but lovely you posted those details about Ann Stephens. Unfortunately the person who started this thread is no longer a member but the information might be of use to someone else at a later date.

[Richard194401]

Thanks.  I only chanced upon this website because I was searching for the Teddy Bears' Picnic, a song from my childhood.  Although I was born in Worthing I have lived in Canada since 1946.  I thought the person who asked the question might like to know what happened to Anne so I spend a few hours searching until I found that link. 

[Girl Guide]

Sorry to say so but I am dubious about the accuracy of that information.

No death on Free BMD between 1964 and 1968 for any Ann Stephens or Stevens aged 35 or thereabouts.  Just putting in Anne and September quarter 1966 again does not produce one aged 35.

I can't check the GRO as they don't have those years on the deaths.

Her death information appears on IMBd along with a brief resume of her career.  No indication as to how she died or where in the UK.  Also no mention if she married.

Whether there was any mention of this in a newspaper who knows. 

[Gallicrow]

Well there is Ann Walton, whose death at age 35 was registered in Lewisham in Q3 1966. I can't find any evidence of Ann Stephens marrying anyone with the surname Walton though!

Edit: It seems that Ann Walton was buried on 28th October, 1966, which probably rules out her dying on the 15th July, 1966:
https://www.deceasedonline.com/servlet/GSDOSearch?DetsView=Summary&src=ext&fileid=13349871

[jonwarrn]

Hi Richard
Welcome to Rootschat.
I am of the same opinion as Girl Guide. How do we know this is true, what is the source of the info about a car accident, other than patheticfacts.com?

Whether there was any mention of this in a newspaper who knows. 

This is the thing, surely if Ann had died so tragically it would have been reported here in the UK?
John

[Gallicrow]

I was just filling in a few more bits of information on Ann's family tree on the Family Search website and I discovered that her brother-in-law, John Byron Sledge, died exactly 36 years ago on Valentine's Day 1989:
https://www.familysearch.org/en/tree/person/details/PMY4-7WN
According to one family tree on ancestry, John Byron Sledge worked as a motion picture producer at one stage.

Ann's sister, Helen, seems to have died in January 2024.

[Matt7924]

It's interesting to see the post about Ann's sister Helen, I seem to remember John Sledge being mentioned on here before. I looked on Google after I saw this post last night and I saw the announcement about Ann's sister, I know she was in at least one film with Ann in the 40s. What still seems odd is how the British Newspaper Archive mentions nothing about Ann's death

[Girl Guide]

Found the below in the Sidmouth Herald:-

CRACKSTON-SLEDGE Helen Died peacefully at the RDE Hospital on 31st January 2024, aged 89. Loved family member and devoted gardener. A Service to celebrate her life will be held at East Devon Crematorium on Friday 1st March at 1pm. Family flowers only, donations may be made to Sidmouth Hospice at Home c/o Potburys Funeral Service or online at http://www.potburys-funerals.co.uk All enquiries C/O Potburys Funeral Service.