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Article: The death of Private. R. Stevens, who was recently reported to have been lost in the landing at Gallipoli, was referred to at a meeting of the Bendigo Mine Managers' Association on Saturday evening. Mr. J. Veale, in supporting a motion that a letter of condolence be sent to the deceased soldier's father, Mr. R. Stevens, underground manager at the Constellation mine, stated that Private Stevens was among the first to go to the war from the Johnson's Reef mine, and expressed great grief that such a promising young life should have been lost. The motion was carried.

Bendigonian Thursday 9 November 1916 page 12

Richard Harry Stevens, Actual name Richard Henry Martin Stevens, was known as ‘Harry’.    He was born in Job’s Gully, Bendigo, the son of Richard & Angelina Stevens, of ‘Montana’, Mt. Korong Rd, Job’s Gully.   ‘Harry’ was a Mine engine driver, with previous military service in 3rd Sq. 9 ALH (3 years).   He was 25 years old when he volunteered for service in the Expeditionary Force.     He Enlisted on 21/8/14 and arrived at Broadmeadows Camp on 24/8/14.    He was allotted Service no. 846 and appointed to ‘G’ Company, 7th Battalion.   

Prior to embarkation he was presented with a memento by the Borough of Eaglehawk (either pocket wallet, wristlet watch, or shaving outfit)   

The 7th Battalion left Broadmeadows Camp on 18 October, 1914, and embarked for service overseas on board HMAT ‘Hororata’.   Arriving in Egypt the battalion moved into camp at Mena, at the foot of the pyramids.   (6/12/14)     

In January, 1915, the Australian force was re-organized.   In the 7th Battalion ‘G’ and ‘H’ Companies joined to form the new ‘D’ Company.      This meant that all the men from Northern Victoria were together in one Company.   

The 7th Battalion was part of the force which landed at Anzac Cove on 25th April, 1915.   ‘Harry’ Stevens was KIA 25/4/15.   

‘Harry’ Stevens was a member of 14th Platoon, D Company, which sustained a high number of casualties.   The Platoon had gone forward from the main body and was out past Lone Pine.    The advance line succeeded in keeping the Turks back on the Third Ridge until late in the afternoon.   Retreating at last, they were overrun by the Turks.   Many of these men were later reported ‘Missing’.   ‘Harry’ Stevens was one of the men reported ‘Missing’.   

Cpl. John Truesdale.  Letter: “It concerns  Cpl Stan Dunstan and Privates Bill Stewart, Mancel Davies and Harry Stevens.   We were all together in the landing.   . . . .  We then got the order to advance, and we did.   Major Blezard and dozens of men went down.   Then Lieutenant E. Connelly gave the order to climb down the cliff in sections, and that’s where we all got separated, and got a rough time too.   . . . . .    This was about 8 o’clock in the morning of 25/4/15, and I have not seen nor heard of them since.   I have made inquiries everywhere, and have asked hundreds of returned wounded men, and nobody can tell me anything.”  [ Bendigonian.   January 20, 1916]   

A Board of Enquiry sat on 5/6/16 in France.   The Board determined : Richard Harry Stevens “Previously reported Missing now reported Killed in Action”.   

Originally buried in an unmarked grave, his body was later discovered in the vicinity of Lone Pine.    He was re-interred in the Lone Pine Cemetery (1922)

“The First Lot.   7th Battalion.   The first men of the Bendigo district to volunteer for service in the First World War.”: Larna Malone

Son of Richard Stevens and Angelina Stevens nee Murton of  'Montana', Job's Gully, Bendigo, Victoria

AWM Roll of Honour Family Circular notes his full name as: Richard Harry Murton Stevens

Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal

Studied with the International Correspondence School on the subject of Electrical Engineering

Also served with the 9th Light Horse for 3 years prior to enlisting