William Edward STEPHENS

STEPHENS, William Edward

Service Number: S51039
Enlisted: 17 March 1942
Last Rank: Private
Last Unit: Not yet discovered
Born: Adelaide, South Australia, 15 June 1906
Home Town: Adelaide, South Australia
Schooling: Not yet discovered
Occupation: Maltster Labourer
Died: Injuries, Loveday camp, South Australia, 26 November 1943, aged 37 years
Cemetery: Barmera (Upper Murray) Garden of Memory Cemetery
Plot A, Row A Grave 5.
Memorials: Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour
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World War 2 Service

17 Mar 1942: Involvement Private, S51039
17 Mar 1942: Enlisted Torrens Hall, SA
17 Mar 1942: Enlisted Australian Military Forces (Army WW2), Private, S51039

Caring Brother

William, born in Adelaide on the 15th June, 1906, was the first born son of Olive Agnes and H.J. Stephens. His sisters included Alice, Rita, Lillian and Agnes. William was particularly close with his younger brother, Kevin Frederick. Following their father’s death, their mother re-married, becoming Olive Coward.
William, affectionately known as ‘Nigger’ and Kevin, ‘Juddy’ headed into the city in April ’39 but became involved in a fracas on the footpath near the Cumberland Arms Hotel, which inevitably attracted a large audience. Police intervened, with the two facing the Adelaide Police Court where William pleaded guilty. The April ‘27 issue of the News reported that ‘William Stephens pleaded guilty under provocation He said that his young brother called out that "a couple of blokes were having a go at him” and he went over to lend a hand.’ Both brothers were each fined £1 with 4/4 costs on a disorderly conduct charge. It transpired that Kevin had been set on by two other young men from Thebarton. William stepped in to protect his younger brother, with a flurry of kicking, hitting and punching eventuating. Whilst the four combatants eventually ‘shook hands and agreed they had been a bit silly’, the incident went before the courts where the imposed fines were an added deterrent. Solicitously, William asked for two weeks to pay his and Kevin’s fines.
Six months later, the News of 31st October, ’39 reported a further incident involving William and a further appearance in the Police Court. ‘Joshua William Hamilton, laborer, of Puringa street, Parkside, and William Edward Stephens, laborer, of Phillip street Adelaide, pleaded guilty to having unlawfully drunk liquor during, prohibited hours on unlicensed premises known as the International Club, Waymouth street, on September 30. They were each fined £3 with 10/- costs. They also pleaded guilty to having given false names and addresses to Constable Jefferson and were fined £5 with 5/- costs.’ (The proprietor of the International Club was also fined for having unlawfully permitted liquor to be drunk on his unlicensed premises.)
William by trade was a Maltster Labourer, (who would select barley in preparation for brewing beer) and had been a member of the Militia for seven years. However, when aged 35 he was called up to serve in the Military Forces on the 25th December ’41. He officially enlisted on the 17th March the following year as Private SN S51039.
His 23-year-old younger brother Kevin had enlisted the previous year on the 5th July, 1940 and was allocated the number SX7952 in the newly formed 2/48th Battalion. Both brothers at the time were single and gave their re-married mother, Olive Coward, as their next of kin. Kevin ‘Juddy’ was to become one of the respected and famed Rats of Tobruk. He was wounded in the Middle East in July ‘42 with a gunshot wound to his right leg, spending several months in hospital receiving treatment. Back home, the Advertiser recorded that ‘Mrs O.A. Coward of Phillip street, city has been notified that her youngest son, Pte Kevin Frederick Stephens has been wounded in action in Egypt. Pte Stephens enlisted in June 1940 and went overseas in November of the same year. He served for eight months in Tobruk last year.’
William served with the 25/33rd Garrison Battalion as S51039. A few early incidents of ill-health were recorded, with time spent in the Tanunda Hospital. He also had several incidents of being AWOL, in August and November ’42 where he was then confined to barracks for 14 and 4 days respectively. He was also fined significantly. Resultantly, he was transferred to the Loveday Internment Camp, located at Barmera in the Riverland of South Australia. Early in ’43 William experienced some physical health issues. On the 26th October, ’43 William again went AWOL, forfeited a day’s pay and was confined to barracks for seven days.
The following month William’s record indicate that on the 26th November ’43, aged 37, he ‘Died of injuries (self inflicted) GSW left chest on arrival 34 CHosp,’
Both the News and Advertiser carried a report of William’s death but not the circumstances. The Advertiser of November 30th ‘43 also carried William’s photo. The News on Monday 29th November ’43 reported ‘Soldier Dies Of Injuries at Barmera Mrs. O. A. Coward, of Phillip street, Adelaide, has been notified that her son, Private W. E. Stephens, died of injuries at Barmera on Friday. Pte. Stephens, who was 37, was the eldest son of Mrs. Coward and the late Mr. H. J. Stephens.’
Subsequently, a Court of Inquiry was held at the 25/33rd Garrison, Barmera on the 16th December ‘43.
The findings were:
1. That on 26/11/43 at approximately 0730 hrs a rifle shot was heard by some members of 25/33rd Garr. Btn from the direction of no 2 Hut 14A/B camp Loveday Group Internment camps.
2. That an investigation being made S51039 Pte William Edward Stephens of 25/33rd Garr. Was found lying on the floor of No 2 Hut with a rifle wound in his left chest close to the heart.
3. That Pte Stephens was immediately treated by SX32595 Capt. McKellar Stewart M.O. but died approximately an hour later.
4. That evidence shows that there was no one except the deceased in the hut at the time and it is the opinion of the court that the injury was self-inflicted.
5. That this opinion is confirmed by certain messages written by Pte Stephens to his mother and a friend immediately prior to his death.
6. That the evidence disclosed or negligence on the part of anyone except the deceased.
7. That the deceased was on duty at the time but not on specific duty.
8. That the coroner deemed an inquest unnecessary.
He was buried in the Barmera Garden of Memory Cemetery, Plot A, Row A Grave 5. He was mourned by so many friends and family. An official headstone now marks his grave.
Many tributes were placed in the Advertiser’s section ‘Died on Active Service’. STEPHENS (S51039). W. E. (Nigger). —In loving memory of our dear friend, who died of injuries. Nov. 26. at Barmera. A great pal sadly missed.—Ever remembered by his friend Ethel. STEPHENS S51049. W. E. (Nigger) died of injuries on November 26 at Barmera, dearly beloved son of Mrs. Coward and the late H. J. Stephens.—inserted by mother and brothers STEPHENS (S51039). W. E. (Nigger), In Loving memory of our dear brother, died of injuries. November 26. at Barmera.—inserted by his sisters Alice and Rita, and brothers-in-law. Les. Bill. STEPHENS, W. E. (.Nigger).—Died of injuries. November 26 at Barmera.—inserted by his sister Agnes and brother in-law Jim, niece Phyllis and nephew Jim. STEPHENS. W. E. (Nigger).—Died of Injuries. November 26. at Barmera.—inserted by his sister Lil, brother-in-law Harry, nephew Lindsay. STEPHENS, W. E. S51039-—ln memory of our friend and pal Nigger, died of Injuries at Barmera, November 26. Gone, but not forgotten by his friends, Jim, Ona, Snowy, Rosa, Mick, and Mrs. Harrison. STEPHENS, S51039. —In loving memory of Nigger, died of injuries, Barmera, November 26. He died as he lived, a pal. —Inserted by Joss and the Hamilton family. STEPHENS (Nigger).—Died result of injuries, Barmera, Nov. 26, 1943. Up-right and honest in all his ways, a true pal to the end of his days.—Inserted by his sincere pal C. C. (Ditty) Munro, A.I.F (New Guinea). STEPHENS (Nigger).—ln loving memory of our dear friend, who died of injuries, Barmera. Dear friend of the late Mick Burns and Jack McNamara. —Ever remembered by Burns family, la Cannon street, city.
Over the following two years, Ethel also continued to remember her close friend.
Advertiser Saturday 25 November 1944, STEPHENS.—In loving memory of Nigger, who passed away Nov. 26. 1943. Deep in my heart a memory is kept. Ever remembered by Ethel.
Advertiser Monday 26 November 1945, STEPHENS.—In fond memory of my friend Nigger. Died at Loveday, Nov. 26. 1943.—Always remembered by Ethel.
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.

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