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Stephen was born on the 10th November 1911 in Newcastle upon Tyne, a large commercial city in Northumberland, England known for its ship building. He was named after his father, also Stephen Henderson, but came to be known as Steve. His mother was Isabella Hodgson Lister and siblings, were Stanley, George, Euty and Hanna.
The family emigrated to South Australia and lived at Birkenhead, Port Adelaide, a significantly smaller version of Newcastle. However, his skills in Soccer soon saw him being considered for the A grade competition with West Torrens in ’29. The Register News-Pictorial reported on the quandary facing the selectors as Stephen was one of four newcomers who made such an excellent showing that they must be reckoned as worthy candidates for first team selection. Steve’s credentials were described as ‘Lister is a young player who comes from England. He played for England against Ireland.’ Steve immediately made the A team with his older brother, with the Advertiser reporting that ‘Stephen Lister (brother of Stan), who gained an International Schoolboy Cap in England, will render assistance.’ In following years both Steve and Stan played for Port Adelaide, and both were regularly mentioned in the best payer lists for their attacking, creative play.
In a match against Birkalla in August ’40 the Mail reported that ‘Port had a chance at the other end. but Fenwick held Stan Lister's drive. Soon afterwards Steve Lister, supplied by B. Watson, the centre half, booted the ball over the bar from a good position. Ding-dong play followed, and then Blackwell, the Port centre forward, made no mistake from a well-placed pass from Steve Lister.’ Not surprisingly, Steve was nominated in the best player list again. In another match against N and D. reported by the Mail, the skills of both brothers were again evident: ‘Within a few minutes the magpies equalised when Steve Lister made the most of a chance opened up by Brown. Port scored again when a well-placed free kick by Stan Lister found Blackwell handy to score. After McNichol had cleared from Watson, Steve Lister secured and hoisted third goal for Port. Port Adelaide stormed In again, and McNichol drew applause for a double rave against Watson and Stan Lister.’ At the end of the game, Steve had scored 2 goals and Stan one of their total six goal to one win.
Aged 24, Steve faced the challenging role of going before the Arbitration Court in ’35 investigating working conditions in Motor Body Factories included the recent speeding up of production, and the disabilities of workmen. Those working as electric buff polishers and trimmers gave evidence as did Stephen in his role. The Advertiser reported that ‘Stephen Henderson Lister, of Kupman street Kilkenny, an acid washer, said he had been employed by Holden for nine years on and off. He and another man who used a blower were granted a special high rate of £4 11/7 by the firm. The purpose of the acid washers’ job was to remove rust and get bodies thoroughly clean. There were many disabilities. The men had to wear rubber aprons, boots and gloves, which were supplied by the firm, and also had to wear much other clothing for protection. They also had to have cotton wool in their ears on account of the hissing of the blower. They used phosphoric acid and he had been burned in the eye on two occasions and gone to hospital for a fortnight. The men had to do work on motor bodies going along a chain, and there had been a terrible increase in the pace during the past 12 months. He found it difficult to do the work allotted to him and had to go all the time.’ When questioned about a possible solution to being burnt by acid, Stephen suggested that ‘My employers do everything they can up to a point, but I suggest we might have better gloves. A slower pace would also give us more time to do the work.’
With WWII fast changing life for so many young men, soccer teams were becoming decimated. 28-year-old Steve enlisted on the 29th June ’40 to become SX7276 and was allocate to the newly formed 2/48th Battalion. Scottish born Charles Fraser and his close friend and fellow soccer player, Essex-born Walter Everett enlisted the same day, just prior to Charles’ 29th birthday. They were allocated successive numbers, Charles SX7260 and Walter SX7261. At a similar time, other opposition soccer players, included Manchester-born James Hinson SX7429 as well as Hertfordshire born Charles Harding, SX7796 also enlisted with all being allocated to the newly formed 2/48th Battalion. These talented players were later to catch up in quite different circumstances and play a match together in the same team. Their initial days were spent in the cold of the Pavilions, now part of the Royal Adelaide Showgrounds before the new enlistees headed to Woodside for their preliminary training.
Pre-embarkation leave gave Steve time with his family and community. Returning to the 2/48th the Battalion contingent then embarked on the Stratheden for the Middle East, on the 7th November 1940, arriving on the 19th December 1940 where the young men completing a few months training in Cyrenaica. While there the Infantry organised a soccer game against British teams with Joseph Moffitt of the 2/10th Captaining the team. South Australians from the 2/48th Battalion who played included Charles Fraser (who later died 25th October ’42) and Walter Everett (who survived the war), both of whom played for Port Thistle in the local competition, James Hinson (killed in Action on 31st October ’42) who played locally for Birkala Rovers, Stephen, from the Port Adelaide team and Charles Harding, who had played for Sturt. The Advertiser reported in March ’41 that over fifteen games played, the South Australian team won 12 and lost three.
From there, these soccer players was soon on their way to serve in Tobruk, Syria and Egypt. By the start of April 1941, the 2/48th were in Tobruk where the dust, flies, heat, minimal water supplies and constant bombardment were quite a challenge to new enlistees. They were to become the famed Rats of Tobruk.
Steve was fortunate to survive two occasions where he was wounded in action, reported back home in August ’41 as Private Lister and again in November ’42 when his leadership qualities had been quickly recognised as he rose through the ranks and was then Corporal.
In that same incident, close friend and soccer player, Charles Fraser was killed in action on October 25th ’42. Staff Sgt Charles was killed in action in an horrific explosion in action in Egypt on the 25th October, 1942. He was 30 years old.
John Glenn in ‘Tobruk to Tarakan’ describes the carnage caused by the chance hit by an enemy shell on a truck loaded with mines.
‘An ear shattering explosion dwarfed the sound of the guns into insignificance. Seven other trucks, all ladened with mines, had been set off. The whole area became a ghastly raging inferno. As trucks burned and exploded a great wall of fire shot into the sky. The gun flashes seemed dimmed; night was turned into day. The concussion was terrific. Steve Fitzgerald who was bringing up the mortar truck, which was laden with bombs, was seventy or so yards behind the trucks when the first one went off. His vehicle rocked in the blast, and, blinded by the flash, he was thrown clear out of it and onto the ground. Russ Lucas and Doug Richardson, who were manning a wireless set in a nearby trench, were temporarily stunned, but by gallant effort they got one man out of the trucks. He died in their arms. Parts of their wireless set were never found; the batteries were picked up two hundred yards away. Two thousand mines went up in this explosion; all the war equipment of both B and D Companies was destroyed. Of the ten men who were in the vehicles, not one was saved. They were: Corporal R. Bryant, W.D. Cockshell, W.C. Quinn, J.J. Buckley, H.S. Searle, W.A. Craig, C. Fraser, C.H. Schulz, C.E. Dolling and F. Parkyn.’
Steve continued to remember his good friend, opponent, team man and fellow soldier in the ensuing years.
Advertiser Monday 23 November 1942, FRASER. —A tribute of honor to a great pal. Sgt. Charlie Fraser, killed in action. Egypt, Oct. 25, aged 31 years. There are memories that will never fade —Always remembered by Wally Everett and Steve Lister.
Advertiser Monday 25 October 1943, FRASER. —In loving memory dear pal. of S/Sgt. Charles Fraser. killed in action, El Alamein, Oct. 25. 1942. Nobody knows how I miss you. but I always remember what a wonderful pal I had. —lnserted by his pal. Corp. Steve Lister. 48th Battalion. FRASER—In loving memory of S/Sgt. C. Fraser. killed in action at El Alamein on Oct. 25. 1942. We have you in our memory. God has you in His care. Inserted by Mr. and Mrs. Lister and family.
Advertiser Wednesday 25 October 1944,. FRASER. —In loving memory of my dear pal. Charlie, killed In action. El Alamein There is a road called remembrance, where thoughts and wishes meet: we sadly take that road today to one we cannot greet. —inserted by his pal, Steve Lister 48th Battalion.

War placed those away fighting under incredible pressure. Those living back home also faced challenges, including Steve’s wife Jean Freda which resulted in Steve being granted a divorce in March ’43. In a further blow, unexpected news reached Steve of the death of his father, aged 55 in June ’44.
Despite all he had faced, Steve survived the war and was finally discharged in September ’45 having attained the rank of Lance Sergeant. Each year he continued to remember his father, as did close friends, the Parker family and their daughter, Melva. It was therefore fitting that the two became close friends and announced their engagement on 3rd April ’45. ‘PARKER—LISTER-—The engagement is announced of Melva J., only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Parker, of Woodville. To Sergeant S. H. Lister AIF third son of Mrs. Lister and the late Mr. S. H. Lister, of Semaphore.’ Then the following year, on the anniversary of his father’s death the two married at the Croydon Church of Christ, at 6 45 p.m. on Saturday. June 12. Two years later, on October 2nd at Wolverton their son, Ronald David was born.
Steve, the Parkers and Melva continued to remember Stephen Snr.
Advertiser Tuesday 12 June 1945, LISTER. —In memory of dad who passed away on June 12 1944. To all who knew and loved him His memory win never grow old. Inserted by his loving son Steve. LISTER. —Fond memories of a friend who passed away June 12, 1944. —Inserted by Beat, Harry and Melva Parker.
Advertiser Wednesday 12 June 1946, LISTER-—ln loving memory of my dear dad who passed away June 12, 1944. It does not take a special day to bring you back to mind, the days we do not think of you are very hard to find. —inserted by his loving son Steve. LISTER. —To the memory of our friend Stephen Lister, passed away June 12, 1944. Memories never die. —inserted by B. A. W. H. and Melva Parker.
Advertiser Thursday 12 June 1947, LISTER. —In loving memory of dad who passed away June 12, 1944. Time drifts on. but memories stay —Ever remembered by his son and daughter-in-law. Steve and Melva.

Steve’s mother, Isabella died in September ’63 and was buried in the Cheltenham Cemetery. Stephen died aged 58 but his wife, Melva lived to be 86 years old and is buried with Stephen in the Cheltenham Cemetery General AF, Path 28 Grave 765A
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.