4th Light Horse Regiment
Memorial Association
The Stevens Brothers -
When the First World War broke out the Stevens family farmed "Spring Bank" in the (then) rural district of Epping, Victoria. Frederick William Stevens, a well-
Three of Lucy’s sons, William, Harry and Arthur, would leave Epping to serve abroad with the 4th Light Horse Regiment.
ENLISTMENT
The brothers enlisted in two separate instances, their paths converging almost immediately under the banner of the 4th Light Horse:
● William Bailey Stevens was the first to answer the call. A 22-
● Arthur Bailey Stevens and Harry Stevens walked into the recruitment depot together on 25 Nov 1915.* Working as farmers at home, the two stood side-
REUNITED IN EGYPT & THEN ON THE WESTERN FRONT
By 11 Mar 1916 all three brothers were brought together at the Heliopolis training base in Egypt, officially assigned to "D" Squadron of the 4th Light Horse Regiment.
In June 1916, after the Regiment was divided, "D" Squadron was detached to serve as corps-
THE BATTLE OF MESSINES (7 -
The brothers’ service records show how deeply intertwined their war experiences were, culminating in a striking family encounter during the Third Battle of Ypres in Belgium.
Because horses could not always traverse the mud and shell craters of the Flanders battlefields, the mounted troops were frequently assigned to ground details. During the Battle of Messines Ridge in June 1917 Harry and Arthur were detached to a local salvage and burial party to clear the battlefield of debris and to recover deceased soldiers.
William crossed paths with his brothers during the operation. He detailed this encounter in a letter home to his sister, Gertrude, which was subsequently published in the Preston Leader on 16 Feb 1918:
“… I was in the last push at Messines. I seemed to go to the pack after that. I was knocked over, horse and all, and am very lucky to be here. When I left Harry and Arty [Arthur] were burying the dead. It was only madness to go out under such fire. I was despatch carrying, not a nice game either. The horses suffered the worst. … You cannot imagine what this game is like till you get into it.”
MEDICAL CASUALTIES
The intense strain and environmental conditions of the Western Front ultimately took a heavy physical toll on all three brothers, removing them from the front line one by one:
● William: After a brief hospitalisation for total amnesia in January 1917, William returned to the Western Front. After the battle at Messines, his physical health collapsed entirely in July 1917. Diagnosed with severe pulmonary tuberculosis and a leaking heart valve, he was evacuated to Harefield Hospital in England. He was invalided back to Australia aboard the hospital ship Karoola in February 1918 and discharged as medically unfit.
● Arthur: On 30 Nov 1917 Arthur was caught in a heavy German chemical bombardment and suffered severe mustard gas poisoning. Hospitalised in Cardiff, Wales, with chemical burns to his skin, lungs and eyes, he was left with permanent visual impairment and lifelong breathing issues. Evaluated as 25% disabled for general civilian employment, he was returned to Australia on the HMAT Suevic in April 1918.
● Harry: He remained the final brother serving in the field. While on leave in the UK in September 1918 Harry contracted a severe case of influenza during the global Spanish Flu pandemic. The infection permanently damaged his circulatory system, causing cardiac debility and a severely elevated resting heart rate. Deemed permanently unfit, he returned to Australia on the HT Orontes in December 1918 and was discharged in April 1919.
POST-
Arthur's Civilian Life and WW2 Return
Arthur settled in the Preston area and married Ellen Catherine Clune at the Sacred Heart Church on 18 Feb 1922. He worked initially as a farmer in Epping and later as a storeman in Preston and Reservoir.
When the Second World War broke out Arthur volunteered for service a second time on 19 Mar 1942, at the age of 47. He was assigned to the part-
Harry's Civilian Life
Harry took his extensive equestrian training from the 4th Light Horse and built a lifelong civilian career as a professional horse-
William’s Civilian Life
Nothing is known of the immediate years after William’s return to Australia. However, the records show he was admitted to Mont Park Asylum in northern Melbourne on 29 Oct 1931 for “mania” caused by “war service”. He spent the next four years there until he passed away on 25 Nov 1935.
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Proudly compiled by Alison Healy,
great granddaughter of Arthur Bailey Stevens.
The Stevens family outside “Spring Bank”, around 1905.
Back row: Frederick Charles, Hester Elizabeth, William Bailey, Gertrude
Middle row: Helen (Nell), Frederick William, Lucy, John Daniel (Jack)
Front row: Harry, Edgar, Arthur Bailey
19 year old Tpr Arthur Bailey Stevens
Lucy’s written consent for Arthur's enlistment
69 year old Arthur in 1965
Harry & Arthur’s AIF Grave Markers, Preston Cemetery
* The local paper, Preston Leader Sat 22 Jan 1916, noted Arthur & Harry’s enlistment.
SEND-
A most enjoyable evening was spent at "Spring Bank," Epping, on Wednesday last, when the Northcote friends of Mrs and the late Mr Fred Stevens journeyed to the farm in a drag to bid farewell to their two sons, Harry and Arthur, who are sailing for the front next week, also to present them with tokens of friendship in the shape of silver luminous wristlet watches, money belt, and knife, fork, and spoon combined. The presentations were made by Mr J. Kirk, why acted as master of ceremonies in his usual bright manner.
By mistake the Epping friends were giving the boys a "send-