Born on the 6th of October 1904 at Bulahdelah, NSW to Charles and Emily, Steve served 5 years as a compulsory trainee.
Working as a carpenter he married Winifred Lowrey in 1928. The marriage was registered at West Maitland. The family were living on River Street, Kempsey when Steve enlisted on the 17th of July 1940 at RRD Newcastle and marched into 9th Battalion (RR), Rutherford.
Returning from leave on the 19th of August he was immediately admitted to hospital suffering from rubella (measles) and was discharged on the 22nd and on the 7th of September he rejoined his unit. Moving from Rutherford, on the 23rd of September 1940 Steve was taken on strength 4th Training Battalion, Tamworth being transferred to E.C. Training depot, Engineers on the 24th of October. On the 14th of November he was transferred to 2/15th Army Field Coy and appointed to Specialist Group II. After passing his examinations on the 2nd of December his position was as Head Carpenter.
Steve was given pre-embarkation leave from the 18th of December until the 29th of December before boarding HMAT US 9 in Sydney on the 3rd of February 1941 bound for the middle east. On the voyage he was taken ill and admitted to the ship’s hospital on the 13th of March. On the 18th of March he was evacuated to Aden Hospital suffering an appendix abscess. Sadly, died on the 22nd of March 1941, aged 36 years.
Winifred, who was born in the Dungog district had moved to Gloucester around the time of Steve’s departure overseas as correspondence requesting information on her husband on the 29th of March 1941 gives her address as Tyrell Street, Gloucester. On the 15th of January 1942 she again wrote asking about Steve’s personal effects and by October 1942 she had them. The package received contained: 1 Tobacco Pouch, 1 Bible, 1 Pen knife, 1 Wrist wallet, 1 pair scissors, 1Key, 1 Money belt, 4 Coins, 1 Scarf, 1 Tie, 1 Pair gloves, 1 Balaclava.
