Stephen Gittins
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | c1895 |
| 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 ; 150lbs 68.039 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 Oct 1916 |
| Rank | Private |
| Unit/Formation | 28th Battalion, 19th Reinforcement |
| Date of Embarkation | 29 Jan 1917 ‒ 27 Mar 1917 |
| Ship Embarked On | HMAT A28 Miltiades Fremantle to Devonport |
| Fate | MIA wounded, later confirmed to have been Killed in Action 11 Aug 1918 at Lihons |
| Monument |
Kelmscott War Memorial (North panel) Villers-Bretonneux Memorial WA State War Memorial Australian War Memorial |
| Medals |
British War Medal Victory Medal |
Pre War
War Service
On 3 Nov1916, a week after entering Blackboy Hill camp, Stephen was made a signaller and was trained accordingly as part of the 19th reinforcement draft for the 28th Battalion. They embarked on the HMAT A28 Miltiades on 29 Jan 1917 for the UK. On arrival at Devonport in England on 27 Mar 1917, he undertook additional training with 7th Training Battalion at Rollestone until 17 Oct 1917 when he journeyed to Le Havre in France via Southampton. On arrival he entered the 2nd Division's Base Depot at Le Havre before being sent forward to join his unit.
Stephen joined the 28th Battalion at Steenvoorde, just over the French border from Ypres on 23 Oct 1917, as one of 263 reinforcements. He remained with the 28th Battalion through the winter and then participated in the battles to both halt the German advance of 1918, and then the early battles as they were forced back up the Somme valley.
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 recorded as Wounded in Action, but this was to change later to Killed in Action. There is a note in his records which reads "Buried ½ mile east of Vauvillers and ¾ mile south of Framerville - (Rainecourt). However, it would appear that after the war, his grave was unable to be found and thus he is listed on the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial. At 2:00am on 11 August the battalion had moved to their jumping off point between the lines, with a heavy bombardment of enemy lines (matched by their counter artillery and machine gun fire) commenced at 4:00am preceding the attack which commenced at 4:15am. All objectives had been secured by 4:45am
Casualty List 432 contains Stephen's death.[1]
Notes
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]
Son of Alfred and Elizabeth A. Gittins. Born in Western Australia.
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.