Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

James Walter (Watty) Stevens was born on the 5th of August 1872 to William and Anne-Jane Stevens in Goolwa, South Australia. Before enlisting in the war, he worked as a farm labourer in rural South Australia. He was a British Subject and raised in a Methodist household. He was described as having hazel eyes, brown hair and being around 6ft 4 in tall. There is no record of any marriage or children.

He enlisted for World War One on the 25th of January 1916, aged 43, in Adelaide, South Australia. Prior to enlisting in the war, he was a member of the Kilpara Rifle Club for ten years, which was a part of the South Australian Militia. At the time, these clubs were seen as a potential guerrilla force reserve in case an invasion occurred in Australia. The clubs were able to function because of the training of staff, rifles, and ammunition supplied by the Commonwealth. Members of the club were drilled, wore uniforms, and practised target shooting, which would have significantly prepared him for war.

Stevens was given the service number 2990, ranked as a Private upon enlistment and was part of the 8th Infantry Brigade, 32nd Battalion. He was first based in Mitcham, South Australia between the 21st of February to the 29th of February 1916. Overseas, he was moved and transferred to a range of different locations. He joined the existing Battalion in Egypt on the 24th of May 1916. He then embarked in Alexandria, Egypt on the 21st of June 1916 and disembarked in Marseilles, France on the 29th of June 1916. Stevens joined the 32nd Battalion battlefield in Etaples, France on the 29th of July 1916. He was Taken on Strength in the 32nd Battalion on the 4th of August 1916.

On the 27th of January 1917, Stevens sustained an accidental gunshot wound to the left arm and was sent to a field hospital. He only stayed in the hospital for a just under a month. Accidental wounds were common occurrences during many wars, with soldiers attempting to take their lives. However, after further investigation it was determined his wound was indeed accidental on the 1st of March 1917. He was transferred to Rouen, France on the 16th of February 1917. Stevens then returned to Etaples, France on the 22nd of February 1917. He later left Etaples and landed in Weymouth, England on the 11th of April 1917.

Stevens was discharged from service just two months after his wound, after being classified as medically unfit and over-age on the 15th of April 1917. His wound presumably worsened his physical capabilities, but he was also an older soldier as he enlisted when he was 43 years old. I think both these factors and others could have contributed to his discharge. He finally returned to Australia on the HMS Balmoral Castle, on the 1st of February 1918, almost a full year after discharge. This helps give us an insight into the transportation during the war, showing that materials, new and injured soldiers took priority. He disembarked from the Balmoral Castle on the 23rd of March 1918, landing in Adelaide, South Australia. His total service was 2 years and 74 days, and he spent 1 year and 347 days overseas.

After returning home, Stevens worked again as a labourer in Lochiel and Snowtown, South Australia. In 1939, he lived in Streaky Bay, South Australia, where he appeared to have some issues with debt. He placed a notice in The Advertiser newspaper on the 17th of November 1939, to say he will not be responsible for any debts contracted in his name without written authority. Stevens later moved to Adelaide where he first lived on Cross Road, and then in Clarence Park. His name appeared in Court records and newspapers on the 27th of August in 1943, after he was bitten by a dog. He was awarded 22 shillings and 6 pence compensation for his injuries, at the age of 71. A few years later, he died on the 16th of June in 1948 aged 75, and was buried in Cheltenham Cemetery, located in Adelaide, South Australia.