Papers of Sapper Robert Stephen relating to his service in World War One
- Reference:GB 230 DD2759
- Dates of Creation:1916 - 1919
- Name of Creator:
- Language of Material:English French
- Physical Description:18 items
Scope and Content
3 diaries of 15 Sept 1916 - August 1917, 1918 and 1919. The first diary includes an account of the battle of Vimy Ridge in 1917.
9 postcards of Robert, his family and Belgians he stayed with during his time on the Western Front: the collection also includes the addresses of these Belgian families.
Military field service postcard from Alfred Stephen, note with order from Major G.E. Buckingham and card celebrating the service of the XVIII Corps in Flanders in 1917.
Several items have notes added by Ruth Frost nee Stephen. Some of these labels may be incorrect.
Administrative / Biographical History
Robert Stephen was born in Peterhead on the 5th July 1894, the son of Robert Stephen and Jessie Stephen nee Keith. He had two younger brothers and a sister: Alexander, Alfred John and Christina. His family moved to Aberdeen prior to the 1901 census, and they were living at 44 Esslemont Avenue in 1901. The family and Robert later moved to Richmond Terrace.
Robert served as a sapper in the Royal Engineers during the First World War. His diary states that he was conscripted in September 1916, but that he joined the army in November 1915. He served with the 1st/2nd Highland Field Company, allocated to the 51st (Highland) Division on the Western Front. He was promoted to Lance Corporal. Robert's brothers Alexander and Alfred also served in the First World War: Alexander with the Royal Engineers in 48th Highland Division and Alfred with the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders. Alfred was killed in Belgium on the 25th April 1918 aged 19.
Robert left the army in February 1919 and started working for John Alexander & Company in Aberdeen. Robert married Barbara (Bee) Jane Abernethy in Glasgow on the 27th March 1920: at the date of his marriage he was a journeyman cabinet maker living in Glasgow, where the family continued to live until Barbara's death in 1975. They had a daughter, Ruth, in 1921.
Robert died on 9 July 1980 in Hythe, Kent (the town where his daughter Ruth Frost lived). He and Barbara were buried in Glasgow at the Western Necropolis cemetery.
Access Information
Open
Open for consultation at Old Aberdeen House, open Mon-Wed 9:30-12:30 and 13:30-16:30. It is advisable to make an appointment.
Other Finding Aids
Please see the Aberdeen City & Aberdeenshire Archives catalogue at https://archives.aberdeencity.gov.uk/CalmView/. Notes on Robert Stephen and the diaries are available on the shelves in the searchroom at Old Aberdeen House and a transcription of the diaries has been added to our website.
Archivist's Note
Transcriptions of diaries are available, having been completed by volunteer OB, 2022-2023. Please contact archives@aberdeencity.gov.uk for more information.
Custodial History
The collection was passed to the archive by the depositor. They had been given to him by a friend who had found them in a skip in Folkestone, Kent.
Accruals
Not expected
Subjects