Open/Close Toolbox
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 3.0 New Zealand License
Format: Person
Linked To
Copyright
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 3.0 New Zealand LicenseThis licence lets you remix, tweak, and build upon our work noncommercially and although your new works must also acknowledge us and be noncommercial, you do not have to license the derivative works on the same terms.
- People
- Places
- Themes
- Surprise Me!
Menu
- People
- Places
- Themes
- Surprise Me!
Rifleman Sydney Stephens
Description
TitleRifleman Sydney StephensSummaryA soldier in World War One. DescriptionSydney was born at Dunsandel on 21 August 1890, third son of William and Carol Stephens. He attended school at Dunsandel and before enlisting was working as a labourer for W. McMillan at Dunsandel. He was a member of the Dunsandel Football Club. He had previous military experience with the 13th Canterbury and Coast Regiment. He was 5ft 7in tall with fair complexion, blue eyes and fair hair.
Sydney enlisted on 13 October 1915 and was assigned to C Company, 3rd Battalion New Zealand Rifle Brigade. He embarked with them for Suez on 5 February 1916, arriving on 13 March. After a brief period for training he embarked from Alexandria on board the Alaunia for France on 7th April 1916. He served throughout the campaigns without any issues and was in response to an enquiry “still with unit” on 18th May 1917. However he was wounded on 7th June in the battle for Messines. He was taken to No 11 Casualty Clearing Station on 9th June and then to the South African General Hospital at Abbeville the following day. From there he was sent to the No.5 Convalescent Depot at Boulogne 4 July 1917. He spent a short time there and then marched into Base Depot at Etaples on 25 July. From there he re-joined his on 25 August. He was granted leave to England for a month and re-joined the 3rd Battalion, 3rd Rifle Brigade on 20 September 1917. He was killed in action 6 December 1917, aged 27. The Rifle Brigade were holding the line in the Becelaere Sector not far from the notorious Polderhoek Chateau position. He was buried in the Polygon Wood Cemetery, Ypres. In New Zealand Sydney is remembered on the Dunsandel War Memorial. He is also remembered on his family grave-stone.
First NameSydneyLast NameStephensFamilySingleThird son of William and Carol StephensDate of Birth21 August 1890Place of BirthDunsandelDate of Death6 December 1917Place of DeathYpres, Belgium Cause of DeathKilled in actionAge at Death27
Sydney enlisted on 13 October 1915 and was assigned to C Company, 3rd Battalion New Zealand Rifle Brigade. He embarked with them for Suez on 5 February 1916, arriving on 13 March. After a brief period for training he embarked from Alexandria on board the Alaunia for France on 7th April 1916. He served throughout the campaigns without any issues and was in response to an enquiry “still with unit” on 18th May 1917. However he was wounded on 7th June in the battle for Messines. He was taken to No 11 Casualty Clearing Station on 9th June and then to the South African General Hospital at Abbeville the following day. From there he was sent to the No.5 Convalescent Depot at Boulogne 4 July 1917. He spent a short time there and then marched into Base Depot at Etaples on 25 July. From there he re-joined his on 25 August. He was granted leave to England for a month and re-joined the 3rd Battalion, 3rd Rifle Brigade on 20 September 1917. He was killed in action 6 December 1917, aged 27. The Rifle Brigade were holding the line in the Becelaere Sector not far from the notorious Polderhoek Chateau position. He was buried in the Polygon Wood Cemetery, Ypres. In New Zealand Sydney is remembered on the Dunsandel War Memorial. He is also remembered on his family grave-stone.
First NameSydneyLast NameStephensFamilySingleThird son of William and Carol StephensDate of Birth21 August 1890Place of BirthDunsandelDate of Death6 December 1917Place of DeathYpres, Belgium Cause of DeathKilled in actionAge at Death27
Connections
CollectionSoldiers of Selwyn World War OneImageDunsandel War MemorialMore InformationAuckland War Memorial Cenotaph
Military Service
Memorial or CemeteryPolygon Wood CemeteryDunsandel War MemorialOccupation before EnlistingLabourerRegiment or ServiceNew Zealand Rifle BrigadeEnlistment Details13th October 1915Service Number25/1016Rank Last HeldRiflemanEmbarkation5th February 1916Theatre of WarWestern FrontNominal Roll24/13CountryNew Zealand
Attribution
Researched ByL. M. SeatonTaken FromPhoto taken from Auckland War Memorial Cenotaph. Please refer to this site for the photo’s copyright license
Rifleman Sydney Stephens. Selwyn Stories, accessed 25/06/2026, https://selwynstories.selwynlibraries.co.nz/nodes/view/388