Robert Edgar STEPHENS MM

STEPHENS, Robert Edgar

Service Numbers: 652, Q204209
Enlisted: 2 November 1914
Last Rank: Private
Last Unit: 4th Machine Gun Battalion
Born: Brisbane, Qld., 28 September 1886
Home Town: Beaudesert, Scenic Rim, Queensland
Schooling: Not yet discovered
Occupation: Farmer
Memorials: "Men From Kerry" Honour Roll, Beaudesert War Memorial
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World War 1 Service

2 Nov 1914: Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 652, 15th Infantry Battalion
22 Dec 1914: Embarked Private, 652, 17th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Ceramic, Melbourne
22 Dec 1914: Involvement Private, 652, 17th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '11' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Ceramic embarkation_ship_number: A40 public_note: ''
6 Aug 1915: Wounded AIF WW1, Private, 652, 17th Infantry Battalion, ANZAC / Gallipoli, Wounded shoulder
9 Mar 1916: Transferred AIF WW1, Private, 4th Machine Gun Battalion
21 Apr 1917: Promoted AIF WW1, Lance Corporal, 4th Machine Gun Battalion
12 Jul 1917: Promoted AIF WW1, Sergeant, 4th Machine Gun Battalion
21 Jul 1917: Promoted AIF WW1, Corporal, 4th Machine Gun Battalion
4 Oct 1917: Honoured Military Medal, Bullecourt (First), On the morning of 11th April, 1917, near BULLECOURT Stephens was No. 1 to a gun, mounted in the Captured position, availed himself of every opportunity in bringing fire to bear on the enemy and after relieving the order to retire, expended the remainder of his ammunition on the communications up which the enemy were bombing. He displayed coolness in directing the retirement of his gun's crew
2 Feb 1918: Promoted AIF WW1, Second Lieutenant, 4th Machine Gun Battalion
30 Aug 1918: Promoted AIF WW1, Lieutenant, 4th Machine Gun Battalion
28 Feb 1919: Discharged AIF WW1, Lieutenant, 4th Machine Gun Battalion

World War 2 Service

12 Apr 1942: Involvement Private, Q204209, Page missing from Enlistment Register
12 Apr 1942: Enlisted Australian Military Forces (Army WW2), Private, Q204209
12 Apr 1942: Enlisted

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Biography contributed by Faithe Jones

Military Medal

'On the morning of 11th April, 1917, near BULLECOURT Stephens was No. 1 to a gun, mounted in the Captured position, availed himself of every opportunity in bringing fire to bear on the enemy and after relieving the order to retire, expended the remainder of his ammunition on the communications up which the enemy were bombing. He displayed coolness in directing the retirement of his gun's crew.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 169
Date: 4 October 1917