William Dobson Stevens
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 5 May 1877 |
| Place of Birth | Cannington, Western Australia |
| Death | 8 Dec 1940, aged 53 |
| Place of Death | Harvey, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 38 years, 3 months |
| Description | 5' 11" (1.80m) tall; weight 152 lbs (68.9 kg); fair complexion, blue eyes, fair hair, scar right side of back. |
| Occupation | sleeper cutter |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | Armadale, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Wife Mrs Ellen Margaret Robinson Stevens |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 4002 |
| Date of Enlistment | 2 Aug 1915 |
| Rank | Private |
| Unit/Formation | 16th Battalion, 12th Reinforcement transferred to 48th Battalion / 12th Brigade, 4th Division |
| Date of Embarkation | 22 Dec 1915 - unknown Port Suez |
| Ship Embarked On | HMAT A31 Ajana |
| Date of Return | 15 Feb 1918 - 6 Apr 1918 |
| Ship Returned On | RMS Llanstephan Castle |
| Fate |
Wounded in Action 12 Oct 1917 at Passchendaele Ridge Returned to Australia |
| Monument |
Armadale (Bedfordale panel) Bedfordale Honour Board |
| Medals |
British War Medal Victory Medal |
Pre War
War Service
Entered the Blackboy Hill camp on 23 Aug 1915, but not allocated to 12th reinforcement draft for the 16th Battalion until 16 Oct 1915.
In Egypt he entered No 4 Auxiliary Hospital Abbassia with mumps from 31 Jan to 14 Mar 1916, and on recovery was transferred to the newly formed 48th Battalion at Serapeum.
Embarked in Alexandria for England on 6 Jun 1916 where he joined the 12th Training Battalion in Rolleston.
Embarked for France on 4 Sep 1916 and was taken on strength of the 48th Battalion on 25 Nov 1916 in the front line trenches full of mud and water at Flers.
In the early morning of 12 Oct 1917 the 48th Battalion with others including the 47th Battalion attacked the Passchendaele Ridge in very heavy conditions due to steady rain. Of the 621 men who were in the attack, 375 were killed, wounded or missing at the end of the day and they were driven out of their objectives by strong counter attacks. Back to their start point, they were required to hold here against enemy action for another day until relieved.
William was evacuated to England through Boulogne on the 17th, with a shell wound to his left ankle, and admitted to the Edmonton Military Hospital. William tells medical staff in No 3 Command Depot at Hurdcott in Jan 1918 that he was hit in the left foot by a piece of enemy shrapnel while he was in a shell hole on the battlefield. He also confesses to being 47 years old. Released from 3 Auxiliary Hospital on 26 Nov 1917, he is assessed in Hurdcott where it is decided to send him home. He embarked on the SS Llanstephen Castle on 17 Feb 1918 for Australia.
Discharged 5th Military District 3 May 1918.
"...Sailed to Egypt with the 12th Reinforcements of the 16th Battalion on the 22nd December 1915. Now serving in France with the 48th Battalion."[1]
Post War
Wife was Helen Margaret. His son Stanley predeceased him, other children being Gladys, John, Jean, Olive, George, David, and Peter. Bill's sister Annie married Edward Bailey.
Electoral Roll entries - 1925 a labourer living in Seventh road, Armadale.
Death Notice "Stevens, William Dobson, suddenly on December 8 at Harvey; late 48th Battalion, A.I.F,. and member Armadale R.S.L.[2] Funeral notice advises that he was still living in Seventh road at the time of his death in Harvey.