| Regimental number | 2772 |
| Place of birth | Balmain, New South Wales |
| School | George Street Public School, Redfern, New South Wales |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Occupation | Grocer |
| Address | Water Police Station, Phillip Street, Circular Quay, Sydney, New South Wales |
| Marital status | Single |
| Age at embarkation | 27 |
| Height | 5' 5.75" |
| Weight | 138 lbs |
| Next of kin | Father, D Stephen, Water Police Station, Phillip Street, Circular Quay, Sydney, New South Wales |
| Previous military service | Nil |
| Enlistment date | |
| Date of enlistment from Nominal Roll | |
| Place of enlistment | Liverpool, New South Wales |
| Rank on enlistment | Private |
| Unit name | 17th Battalion, 6th Reinforcement |
| AWM Embarkation Roll number | 23/34/2 |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A14 Euripides on |
| Rank from Nominal Roll | Corporal |
| Unit from Nominal Roll | 55th Battalion |
| Fate | Killed in Action |
| Place of death or wounding | Fleurbaix, France (Battle of Fromelles) |
| Age at death | 28 |
| Age at death from cemetery records | 28 |
| Place of burial | No known grave |
| Commemoration details | V.C. Corner (Panel No II), Australian Cemetery Memorial, Fromelles, France |
| Panel number, Roll of Honour, Australian War Memorial | 161 |
| Miscellaneous information from cemetery records | Parents: Daniel and Mary STEPHEN, 'Zilka', Selbourne Street, Burwood, New South Wales. Native of Balmain, New South Wales |
| Family/military connections | Brother: 2771 Pte Cecil Murray STEPHEN, 5th Australian Infantry Brigade Headquarters, returned to Australia, 4 January 1919. |
| Other details |
War service: Egypt, Western Front Allotted to, and proceeded to 55th from 5th Training Bn, Zeitoun, 16 February 1916; taken on strength of 55th Bn, Tel el Kebir, 16 February 1916. Sent to Field Ambulance, 19 February 1916; admitted to No 3 Field Ambulance, Tel el Kebir, 20 February 1916 (ingrown toenail); transferred to No 2 Australian Stationary Hospital, Tel el Kebir, 29 February 1916; discharged and rejoined 55th Bn, Tel el Kebir, 7 March 1916. To Field Ambulance, Tel el Kebir, 16 March 1916; rejoined unit, 17 March 1916. Embarked Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 19 June 1916; disembarked Marseilles, France, 29 June 1916. Promoted Corporal, 10 July 1916. Killed in action, 20 July 1916. Note on B.103, 'Buried B1056 Sheet 25'. Statement, Red Cross File No 2610902, 2745 Pte J. O'BRIEN, 55th Bn, 4 August 1916: 'Stephen was in one of the trenches taken on the night of July 19th at Fleurbaix when he was shot through the head as he stood by my side. I took his pay book from his pocket and have it with me (Book produced ...) I felt fr his identification disc but could not find it. We retired next morning from this spot and his body had to be left. Second statement, 2895 Pte C.A. BYERLEE, AMC Details, 13 November 1916: 'He was killed by a shell in Nomansland (sic), and buried just behind the lines at Fleurbaix, between the firing line and the supports. Our pioneers buried him. Pte. Hussett was one and he told me about it. I believe they put up a small cross to mark the grave.' Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal |
| Sources | NAA: B2455, STEPHEN William John
Red Cross File No 2610902 |
Postal Address:
Po Box 7916
Canberra BC 2610, Australia
Street Address:
Northcott Drive,
Campbell, ACT 2600
