Stephen Gittins

Part of 28th Bn tablet at Villers-Bretonneux Memorial
Personal Information
Date of Birth	unknown
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
Medals	British War Medal Victory Medal

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.

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.