Stephen Gittins
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | Not known |
| Place of Birth | North Perth, Western Australia |
| Death | 11 Aug 1918 |
| Place of Death | Lihons, France |
| Age at Enlistment | 21 years, 1 month |
| Description | 5' 6¾" (1.70m) tall; weight 150 lbs (68 kg); fair complexion, blue eyes, fair hair |
| Occupation | labourer |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | Karragullen, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Father Mr Alfred Gittins |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 6585 |
| Date of Enlistment | 16 )ct 1916 |
| Rank | Private |
| Unit/Formation | 28th Battalion, 19th Reinforcement / 13th Brigade, 4th Division |
| Date of Embarkation | 29 Jan 1917 - 27 Mar 1917 |
| Ship Embarked On | HMAT A28 Miltiades |
| Fate | MIA wounded, later confirmed to be Killed in Action 11 Aug 1918 at Lihons |
| Monument |
Kelmscott War Memorial (North panel) Villers-Bretonneux Memorial |
| Medals |
British War Medal Victory Medal |
Pre War
War Service
A week after entering Blackboy Hill camp, Stephen is made a signaller and was trained accordingly as part of the 19th reinforcement draft for the 28th Battalion.
On arrival at Devonport in England he undertook additional training with 7th Training Battalion at Fovant until 17 Oct 1917 when he journeyed to France via Southampton.
Joined the 28th Battalion at Steenvoorde, just over the French border from Ypres on 23 Oct 1917, as one of 263 reinforcements. On 11 Aug 1918 Stephen was one of the "very light casualties" suffered by the 28th Battalion during an attack on the German front lines (9 KIA; 71 WIA).
Initially Stephen was not accounted for, but it was eventually accepted that he had perished, probably due to enemy artillery fire. Note in his records reads "Buried ½ mile east of Vauvillers and ¾ mile south of Framerville. Listed on the VILLERS-BRETONNEAUX MEMORIAL Son of Alfred and Elizabeth A. Gittins. Born in Western Australia.
Casualty List 432 contains Stephen's death.[1]
Post War
On 14 Aug 1930 portion of a list of names to be included in the new State War Memorial on Mt Eliza was published, and Stephen's name and unit (28th Battalion) are on the list of names.[2]
References
- ↑ "WESTERN AUSTRALIA.". The West Australian. XXXIV, (5,152). Western Australia. 9 October 1918. p. 7. Retrieved 22 June 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
- ↑ "STATE WAR MEMORIAL". Western Mail. XLV, (2,322). Western Australia. 14 August 1930. p. 13. Retrieved 22 June 2017 – via National Library of Australia.