We remember: Gar Stevens

A century on from the end of World War I we acknowledge their service …
Lest we forget.

Private Gardiner Stevens
Born: 1881 Market Harborough England . Died: 5 June 1931 Kooweerup.
Enlisted: 13 June 1917 aged 36
Served: Western Front

Known as “Gar”, Gardiner Stevens was a land and general agent in Pakenham when he enlisted in June 1917. He was married and had children. Prior to going into business, he had been a farm hand at Pakenham and by 1914 was in partnership with Harry Worship growing potatoes at Pakenham South. He was an active member of the Pakenham community, including serving as the “energetic secretary” of the Pakenham Horticultural Society and Pakenham Show Committees. He also served on the Pakenham South School Board, the Fruit Growers’ Association and the Pakenham Branch of the “People’s Party”. Upon enlisting, Gar’s business in Pakenham was taken over by Mr B J Doherty.

Gar was assigned to the Australian Army Medical Corps Reinforcements. He spent three months stationed at the No 11 Australian General Hospital, then assigned to the Clearing Hospital at Seymour before embarking for England just before Christmas 1917. After further training, Gar was taken on strength with the 15th Field Ambulance (15 AFA) in June 1918. By this time, the Allies had stemmed the tide of the German “Spring Offensive” on the Western Front, and were poised to begin their own offensive, which would ultimately push the Germans back to their “Hindenburg Line” and break their resolve to fight on.

When Gar was taken on strength, the 15 AFA was at Allonville near Amiens. It then moved to a small chateau on the Querrieu – St Gratien Rd. At the time, there was a major influenza epidemic and the 15 AFA had between 80 and 100 men from different units passing through daily. 15 AFA subsequently supported Australian actions in the vicinity of Villers-Bretonneux, Harbonniers and Peronne during July and August . At times, it was difficult for the field ambulances to keep up with the rapidly moving infantry positions.

Following the end of the War, Gar applied for land under the Repatriation scheme, but was turned down. He then found work as a day labourer at the Pakenham “fruit sheds”, and with Tom Jeremiah in Pakenham South. He then applying for a £50 loan to start an agency business again, using a property owned by his wife Edith. This application too, was initially declined on the grounds that such businesses were not eligible for assistance under the repatriation scheme. Gar however, received support from a number of prominent local citizens, including David McAfee, Tom Jeremiah and James Chisholm and the local Repatriation Board reconsidered.

Having re-established himself, Gar again became heavily involved in local community activities. These included serving as secretary of the Mechanics‘ Institute Committee and for the Pakenham Citizens‘ Association.

In late 1925, Gar sold his business and moved to Caulfield. A social farewell was held for the Stevens family at the Mechanics’ Institute. Harry Worship spoke of knowing Gar and Edith since they first arrived in Australia. He said Gar had been a successful farmer, then keen businessman and involved in “all movements for the advancement of the district”. Harry described Gar as a “main stay” of the community, particularly through his work as Secretary of the Progress Association.

He was later employed by Permewan Wright Ltd produce and general merchants as manager of their Kooweerup branch. Tragically, Gar was killed by a train at the Kooweerup Railway Station on 5 June 1931, at only 49.

This is an extract from Patrick Ferry’s book A Century After The Guns Fell Silent – Remembering the Pakenham District’s WWI Diggers 1914-18.
For more details on this and other profiles in the book, head to the website www.pakenhamww1.com