Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Able Seaman Gordon William Stephenson (PA 3409)

Born: 25 September 1925 – Wallaroo, South Australia

Died: 20 December 2006 – South Australia (aged 81)

Burial: Kapunda Christ Church Anglican Cemetery, Kapunda, Light Regional Council, South Australia

Service: Royal Australian Navy – Able Seaman PA 3409

Religion: Methodist

Family Background

Son of Herbert Henry Stephenson (1885–1976) and Myrtle Rose Whittaker (1892–1972).
Grandson of William Robinson Stephenson (1856–1920) and Elizabeth Ann Polgreen (1860–1930) of Moonta.
Great-grandson of Yorke Peninsula pioneers William Whittaker (c. 1808–1886) and Maria Ann Dowling (c. 1813–after 1886).
Sibling: Lila Elizabeth Allen (née Stephenson) (1921–2012).

Early Life

Born at Wallaroo, South Australia, on 25 September 1925.
Childhood spent in Prospect, where his parents had settled after World War I.
Educated locally and worked as an apprentice before joining the Royal Australian Navy.
Raised in the Methodist faith – a tradition that guided his character throughout life.

Military Service – Royal Australian Navy

Official Number: PA 3409 Height: 5 ft 8 in Eyes: Blue Hair: Dark Brown

Service Overview

Enlisted for service on 2 March 1943 at Port Adelaide.
Served for the duration of World War II and six months thereafter.
Attained rank of Able Seaman.
Maintained an unblemished record of Very Good conduct and Satisfactory efficiency throughout his career.

Timeline

1925 – Birth

Born 25 September 1925 at Wallaroo, South Australia.
1942 – Pre-enlistment training period

Joined Royal Australian Naval Reserve for preliminary training; seniority dated 26 November 1942.
1943 – Mobilised for active service

2 Mar 1943 – Mobilised at Port Adelaide; posted to H.M.A.S. Cerberus (Victoria) for basic training.
19 Jun 1943 – Transferred to H.M.A.S. Magnetic (Townsville).
24 Aug 1943 – Posted to H.M.A.S. Warramunga as Ordinary Seaman II.
1943–1945 – War service in the Pacific

Served aboard the destroyer H.M.A.S. Warramunga, which operated with the U.S. 7th Fleet in the South-West Pacific, New Guinea, and Philippines campaigns.
Promoted to Able Seaman during active operations.
8 Jul 1944 – Transferred to H.M.A.S. Rushcutter (Sydney) for Anti-Submarine School duties.
18 Oct 1945 – Moved to H.M.A.S. Penguin (Woolloomooloo) for demobilisation processing.
1945–1946 – Post-war service

8 Nov 1945 – Transferred to H.M.A.S. Tobruk and later to Tamworth for decommissioning work.
7 Nov 1946 – Discharged from the R.A.N. as “Medically Unfit for Naval Service.”
Awarded War Gratuity Claim No. 271 – £120, plus Deferred Pay £45.
1947–1950s – Return to civil life

Returned to South Australia; pursued trade work and community involvement.
Married Margaret (surname not recorded) and had one daughter, Susan.
Later years

Enjoyed family life and grandchildren – Jane, Andrew, and Kate.
Respected for his service and family heritage as a great-grandson of William and Maria Whittaker.
2006 – Passing

Died 20 December 2006, aged 81.
Advertiser death and funeral notices published 22 December 2006.
Interred at Kapunda Christ Church Anglican Cemetery.

Memorial Inscription

STEPHENSON GORDON WILLIAM

Able Seaman PA 3409

25.9.1925 – 20.12.2006

Loved husband of Margaret

Father of Susan

Grandfather of Jane, Andrew and Kate

Great-grandson of the late William & Maria Whittaker

Character and Service Record

Conduct rating throughout: “Very Good.”
Efficiency rating: “Satisfactory.”
Served without disciplinary action or penalty.
Service spanned training, Pacific warfare operations, and post-war decommissioning duties.

Legacy

Gordon William Stephenson embodied three generations of South Australian heritage — from pioneer settlers and farmers to the naval servicemen of the 20th century.

A devoted husband, father, and grandfather, his life reflected courage, duty, and steadfast family values passed down from the Stephenson and Whittaker lines.

His plaque and burial at Kapunda stand as a dignified testament to his service and legacy.

Primary Sources

National Archives of Australia, Series A6770 – Service Records for Able Seaman PA 3409.
South Australian Births Index (160A/519 – Wallaroo, 1925).
The Advertiser (Death and Funeral Notices, 22 December 2006).
WWII Nominal Roll, Dept. of Veterans’ Affairs.
Kapunda Christ Church Anglican Cemetery Register.
Family records and photographic plaque

Biography by Trevor Pyatt 24/10/2025