Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

SX1716 Pte Stephen Jefferys, born in Broken Hill on 30th January 1912. He enlisted into the 2/10 Battalion AIF on 30th November 1939 and served in Tobruk and became a famed "Rat of Tobruk." He was promoted to Corporal for his service in North Africa. Once the Axis powers capitulated, his Battalion was sent to New Guinea to bolster Allied forces already there. He was wounded in 1943, being shot in the leg by a Japanese sniper. He was evacuated to Port Moresby where his wound was treated although surgeons were unable to locate the 6.5 mm projectile. He was then taken by hospital ship to Sydney, where his condition deteriorated, so his leg was amputated. He was discharged from the AIF on 24th March 1944 after serving a total of 1,577 days. He lived happily with his wife and daughter for a number of years until the wound in his leg caused him to be readmitted to hospital. He died on the operating table, and the bullet that eventually caused his death was found in his upper thigh.
His medals, discharge certificate and the bullet that killed him are held by the RSAR Historical Collection at the Army Museum of SA, Keswick Barracks.
Lest We Forget
D. Laing A/President RSAR Association Inc