William Henry Stevens

William Henry Stevens (Service No 1187 /1328 on National Archives summary sheet) was born in 1897 to John and Agnes E Stevens at Helensburgh, N.S.W. .

At enlistment, William was 22 years of age, worked as a seaman, and lived at “Ivanhoe”, The Avenue Helensburgh.  William enlisted at Rosehill on 3rd October 1914 and at Adamstown on 21st October 1914. He was attached to the 4th Battalion 1st Reinforcements with Regimental No 1187 and later reallocated with Regimental No. 1328.

William embarked from Melbourne on 22nd December 1914 on HMAT Themistocles A32.

On 4th April 1915 he was transferred to Base Detail Egypt.  On 2nd May 1915 he joined the Battalion from AMS Karoo at Gallipoli.

On 13th May 1915 he was wounded and was admitted to Hospital in Dardinelles for treatment of a severe gunshot wound to his back.  He was transferred to the Convalescent Depot Alexandria on SS Lutzow.

On 23rd June 1915 William was again wounded,  this time sustaining a gunshot wound to his foot.

On 26th August 1915 William was admitted to Hospital with VD (Gonorrhoea).  On 31st August he embarked for Australia on the Wiltshire, arriving on 25th September 1915.  Wiliam was then transferred to Milson Island for duty.  William then deserted some time between the 16th February and 30th June 1916.  Despite having been wounded twice, due to his desertion, William automatically forfeited his medals.

On 23rd February 1923, William requested his discharge papers stating he deserted from Liverpool Camp in February 1916, and his discharge papers were eventually issued. 

In 1926 William married Rachael Green and the couple went on to have 3 children.

William enlisted for service in World War II (Service No N104250) and served as a Lieutenant from 8th March 1941 to 13th January 1944.