Canada. A First War Group to the Stephens Brothers

 

Footnote: Smith Stephens was born on February 27, 1891 in Killarney, Manitoba, the son of James Stephens and Alice Stephens. He was a resident of Oak Lake, Manitoba when he signed his Attestation Paper (311991) with No. 3 Section, 3rd Division Ammunition Column, Canadian Field Artillery, on January 19, 1916 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, at the age of 24, naming his next-of-kin as his father, James Stephens of Oak Lake, stating that he had no previous military service, that he was not married and that his trade was that of Farmer. He sailed from Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the S.S. Metagama on March 11, 1916, arriving in Liverpool, England on the 25th. Two months after arriving in England, he was admitted to the Military Hospital at Bramshott, on May 20, 1916, initially diagnosed as "N.Y.D." (Not Yet Determined) but that soon changed to a slight sprain to his right ankle. He was discharged from hospital two days later, on the 23rd. He was with the 3rd Canadian Divisional Ammunition Column, when he was posted for overseas service on July 14, 1916, arriving in Le Havre, France the next day. Almost one year later, he was with the 3rd Canadian Divisional Ammunition Column, when he was transferred to the 4th Canadian Divisional Ammunition Column, on June 25, 1917. Five days after his transfer, on June 30th, he was "gassed" as the result of a poison gas shell explosion. He was invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship Princess Elizabeth, where he was admitted to the Military Hospital at Endell Street W.C. in London on July 5th. Upon being discharged on the 10th, the doctor noted that Driver Stephenshad "No physical signs." and that he had "Recovered". He was subsequently posted to the Canadian Regimental Depot at Shorncliffe, then transferred to the Canadian Convalescent Hospital at Bromley, Kent on July 11th, where the attending physician noted that he was "Now improving, (and) will need further rest". The following day, he was transferred to the Canadian Convalescent Hospital at Woodcote Park, Epsom, Surrey and would spend the next three weeks recuperating, before being discharged on August 3rd. He was then posted to the 1st Canadian Convalescent Depot at St. Leonards for the next three and a half weeks, before being transferred to the 2nd Canadian Convalescent Depot on August 28th, for another three and a half week stay. He was subsequently posted to the 1st Brigade, Canadian Reserve Artillery on September 22nd. In regards to his Military Will, dated November 4, 1917, the attendant noted that the "Man (Stephens) states he does not desire to make a will". Three days later, he was posted for overseas service with the Canadian Field Artillery, on November 7, 1917, taken on strength of the Canadian Artillery Pool on the 8th and posted to the Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp in France on the 11th. He was awarded one Good Conduct Badge on January 19, 1918. One year later, he was admitted "sick" to No. 51 Casualty Clearing Station with a case of "scabies", on January 25. 1919 and after four days treatment, was discharged on the 29th, rejoining the 3rd Canadian Divisional Ammunition Column on the 30th. He was struck off strength to Canada on March 19, 1919. Driver SmithStephens, Canadian Field Artillery was discharged upon demobilization at Dispersal Station "M", Military District No. 10 in Winnipeg, on April 1, 1919, entitled to wear the War Service Badge, number 736750, credited with having served in Canada, England and France. For his First World War service, he was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. His younger brother, William Roy Stephens was born on April 28, 1895 in Killarney, Manitoba, the son of James Stephens and Alice Stephens. He was a resident of Souris, Manitoba when he was conscripted, signing his Particulars of Recruit Drafted Under Military Service Act 1917 Paper (2128947), Military Service Act (numbered 506573 JC), with No. 10 Military District, 1st Depot Battalion, Manitoba Regiment, on January 5, 1918 in Brandon, Manitoba, at the age of 22, naming his next-of-kin as his mother, Mrs. Alice Stephens of Oak Lake, Manitoba, stating that he had no previous military service, that he was Single, that his religion was Presbyterian and that his trade was that of Telephone Inspector. He sailed from Halifax, Nova Scotia on April 17, 1918 aboard the S.S. Melita, arriving in Liverpool, England on the 28th, where he was taken on strength of the 11th Reserve Battalion. Four months later, he was posted to the 43rd Infantry Battalion overseas on September 5, 1918, arriving at the Base Depot in France on the 6th. He left for his new unit on the 9th and joined them on the 12th. Twenty-six days after arriving in France, Private William Roy Stephens suffered a gun shot wound to his face on October 2, 1918. He was admitted to No. 4 General Hospital at Camiers, then invalided to England, where he was admitted to Cambridge Hospital at Aldershot on October 5th. He would spend three weeks at Cambridge Hospital, before being transferred to the Canadian Convalescent Hospital, Bear Wood, Wokingham, Berkshire, where he would recuperate for the next week, before being discharged on November 1st. Upon his discharge upon hospital, he was placed on command to the 3rd Canadian Convalescent Depot at Seaford for three weeks, then posted to the 11th Reserve Battalion on November 22nd, followed by a posting one week later to the Manitoba Regimental Depot on the 28th. He was struck off strength to Canada on December 7, 1918, sailing aboard the S.S. Olympic and arriving in Halifax on the 14th. In his medical examination performed on January 8, 1919 at No. 10 Military District Depot in Winnipeg, Manitoba, the doctor noted that Private Stephens "Saw one months' service in France, when he received (a) slight GSW (gun shot wound) over (his) left eye, causing an abrasion of (the) skin, and marked contusion of (the) surrounding tissues and eyelids. Returned to England for treatment. Good recovery. No disability. No scar visible over (the) eye". It was also noted on his Discharge Certificate that he had a "small scar across his nose". Private William Roy Stephens, 43rd Infantry Battalion was discharged upon demobilization at No. 10 Military District Depot in Winnipeg, on January 17, 1919, credited with having served in Canada, England and France. For his First World War service, he was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.