Stephens, Robert

Silver platter awarded to 2nd Lieutenant R Stephens 

on the occasion of his marriage, September 1939

[Courtesy of War Years Remembered Museum]

Robert Stephens

Stephens was born at Ulster Bank, Downpatrick (Birth Registration) on 9th November 1909 to John Samuel Stephens, Bank Cashier) and Margaret Alexander Stephens nee Morrison.

[modern building now - no older one found]

On the 1911 Census day, Stephens (aged 1) is residing at house 1, Market Street, Downpatrick with his parents and an elder sister, Dorothy Lyle Stephens (9). Two servants are also listed in the property: Mary Ann Reilly (31) and Bridget Donnelly (20).

Stephens entered Campbell College in September 1920. The Lennonwylie website writes:

1722. *Stephens, Robert (C), b. 9th November, 1909, son of J. S. Stephens, Ulster Bank House, Killyleagh, Co. Down. U.V, July, 1927. 1st XV, 1926-27. 1939-45 War: Major, R.A. Food Manufacturer. (Ulster Bank Official) Address: Ballygrot House, Helen's Bay, Co. Down. (M.q.) (1938 Address: Clogher, Co. Tyrone)

Following his education, Stephens joined the Ulster Bank perhaps around 1928/29.

Stephens had served in the Campbell College contingent of their Officer Training Corps (OTC) reaching the rank of Cadet Lance-Corporal. The London Gazette published on 21st March 1939 reported Stephens to become a Second Lieutenant with effect from 20th February 1939 in the Royal Regiment of Artillery, possibly the 8th Anti-Aircraft Regiment.

Stephens married Kathleen (Kitty) Trelford on 12th September 1939 (GRONI transcribed as Stephen).

LG 28th May 1943 - 273311 possible Inniskilling fusiliers  - not same man ?

Stephens served in the forces until his discharge in 1945/46. He may have returned to work for a while in the Ulster Bank. This is based on his name being on their roll of honour.

The following information (parts verified) are from the War Years Remembered Museum:

Born in 1909 the son of J.S. Stephens who was the manager of the Ulster Bank in Killyleagh. Bob was educated at Campbell College from 1922 until 1927, he boarded at Prices House and played rugby for Campbell first fifteen 1926/27.

He married Kathleen (Kitty) Trelford whose family home was in Helen's Bay, County Down in September of 1939.

His full military career to be researched and we believe he ended up serving in Palestine during the Second World War.

We know that the 5th Light Anti Aircraft was amalgamated into the 9th and arrived in the Middle East involved in the siege of Tobruk.

Further investigation required, we are waiting on photographs etc and hopefully some military papers.

After discharge from the army he joined Newforge factory on the accounting section. I guess that must have been shortly after he left the army in 1945. During his employment he lived in Helens Bay with Kitty and her retired father. (1945-1955).

Bob served in various Private Secretary roles and was known as a stern man who took no nonsense

Private Secretary to Lord Wakehurst 1955-1962 to Lord Erskine. 1962-1966

He was Honoured with a CVO (COMPANION OF THE VICTORIAN ORDER) IN 1962.

Finally he was PS to Lord Grey of Naunton (1972) and retired to live in Hillsborough until he died.

Letter signed by Major Robert Stephens, Private Secretary 

to the Governor of Northern Ireland, Lord Gray (1971)

[Letter sourced via Lennonwylie website]

Major Robert Stephens died in March 1994 at Bangor, Co. Down (Ancestry Stephens tree).He is buried in the New Bangor cemetery.