Eric Norman STEVENS [6026]

  General Notes:

1905 VIC Birth STEVENS Eric Norman, Jos Mat, Margaretta Vic (Hall), Reg. no 11593
1940 SA Death 626/3056 STEVENS Eric Norman undefined Pirie

Recorder (Port Pirie, SA : 1919 - 1954) Wed 17 Jul 1940
MR. ERIC STEVENS ELECTROCUTED AT SMELTERS
FATAL ACCIDENT IN NEW DWIGHT AND LLOYD PLANT
VICTIM RECEIVED 550 VOLTS
WAS INSTRUCTOR AT TECHNICAL SCHOOL
While at work in the new Dwight and Lloyd plant at Broken Hill Associated Smelters early yes terday morning Mr. Eric Norman Stevens (35), electrical fitter, of Henry street, Risdon Park, was electrocuted when he handled cables carry ing 550 volts of current.
Mr. Stevens was a well-trained fitter and highly esteemed employe of the Smelters. He had been at the Works 14 years and was an instructor at Pirie Technical School.
MR. Stevens, who had been engaged on the new plant since the electrical installation was started there several months ago, began work at midnight and was to have continued until 8 a.m. Working close to him was Mr. L. V. Stanwix, another electrical fitter.
According to an official statement, Mr. Stevens in the course of making electrical adjustments while the whole plant was in operation found it necessary to do some work in the junction box serving both A and B floors.
To execute that work it was necessary for him to remove three isolating switches to render dead the line of which he was operating on B floor. The switches for the two floors were placed several feet apart in the motor and gear room.
Removing the three switches Mr. Stevens returned to his job on the junction box. A few moments later Mr. Stanwix heard a cry, and on running out found his mate lying on the floor, apparently lifeless.
Placed in Iron Lung
The accident occurred at 6.20 a.m. Mr. Stanwix immediately communicated with the first-aid station and a doctor was summoned. The victim was rushed to hospital and placed in the iron lung there. He failed to show any sign of life.
Later investigation disclosed that instead of the B section line having been deadened its switches were intact, and the three serving A floor had been removed and placed in order in their appointed spot.
The official view is that Mr. Stevens, having removed the switches, went back and began work on what he believed to be a dead line, and received the full force of 550 volts.
Insp. W. Giles, Det. J. Slinger, and Plainclothes-Constable L. E. Wehr, in company with Mr. A. H. L. Goode (coroner), visited the scene during the morning and a police re port was prepared for submission to Mr. Goode.
Mr. Stevens, who was in his thirty fifth year, was born in Victoria. He served his apprenticeship in the fitting trade in the State coal mine at Wonthaggi. For five years he at tended Wonthaggi Technical College.
Fourteen years ago he came to Pirie and received employment at the Smelters. His skill won him high regard, and he was engaged on many important electrical jobs.
Continued To Study
He continued his studies, first by correspondence with Melbourne Technical College and then at Pirie Technical School. At the latter he acted as substitute teacher on several occasions, and in March last year be came instructor in trade mathematics, grades 1 and 2. He was in charge of his class on Monday night before he went to work.
Mr. E. G. Davis (principal of Pirie Technical School) yesterday expressed deepest regret at the tragic passing of a valuable instructor and an estimable citizen.
"Mr. Stevens was highly esteemed by students and staff," he said. "He was most diligent and conscientious in his duties, and secured effective examination results."
Mr. Stevens has left a widow, who was formerly Miss Hazel B. Leane, daughter of Mrs. E. E. Leane, The Terrace, and a sister of Messrs. J. K. and W. H. Leane.

Recorder (Port Pirie, SA : 1919 - 1954) Wed 17 Jul 1940
DEATH
STEVENS.-On July 16 at Port Pirie Hospital. ERIC NORMAN. beloved HUSBAND of Hazel Beryl Stevens, of Henry street. Risdon Park, aged 35 years.

IN MEMORIAM
FUNERAL INTIMATION
STEVENS-THE FRIENDS of MRS. HAZEL BERYL STEVENS, of Henry street, Risdon Park, are respectfully informed that the Funeral of her late beloved HUSBAND, ERIC NORMAN, will leave her residence THIS DAY at 4 p.m. for St. Peter's Church, Risdon Park, thence to Port Pirie Cemetery. Rev. G. W. Scholefield will officiate.
BACKSTROM & MESCHKE, Undertakers and Motor Funeral Directors, Port Pirie. Phones 190, 337, and 411.

Recorder (Port Pirie, SA : 1919 - 1954) Thu 18 Jul 1940
ACCIDENT VICTIM LAID TO REST
Funeral Of Mr. E. N. Stevens
The funeral yesterday of Mr. Eric Norman Stevens, of Henry street, Risdon Park, was one of the largest seen in Pirie. All his workmates of the Broken Hill Associated Smelters electrical and fitting department ceased work at noon and to a man attended at the cemetery to pay their final tribute.
Mr. Stevens was electrocuted while at work in the new Dwight and Lloyd plant at the Smelters early on Tuesday morning.
Thirty-five cars followed the flower laden hearse from St. Peter's Church, Risdon Park, where Rev. G. W. Scholefield, assisted by Revs. R. F. Steele and G. G. Evans, conducted service. B Company of the 43rd Battalion militia was represented by a party.
In the assembly round the grave was a number of Smelters officials. Mr. Scholefield read the burial service.
FLOWERS AT GRAVESIDE
A great bank of flowers covered the grave. They were sent by the following:
Mother and Hazel, Mother, Jack, and Gladys, Joyce and Bill, Mr. and Mrs. R. D'Oyly, Mr. and Mrs. R. Brakenridge, Moira and Jack, Estelle and Colin Thomas, Mr. and Mrs. G. Dey, Mr. and Mrs. Les Swift, Mr. and Mrs. W. Tailford and family, Mr. and Mrs. W. W. Fiddaman and family, Tom and Nell and Andrea, Mr. and Mrs. G. J. Langston, Mr. and Mrs. H. C. Adams and family, Mr. and Mrs. T. W. Heneker and Irene, R. and T. Lewis, G. Tucker, Mr. and Mrs. L. Craigie. Mrs. Riddle and Myrtle.
Mr. and Mrs. H J. Netting. Mr. and Mrs. Treleaven and family, Mr. and Mrs. C. J. Paterson, Mr. and Mrs. R. L. Schebella, Mr. and Mrs. L. A. White, Mr. and Mrs. J. F. Smith (Port Victoria), Mr. and Mrs. P. J. Ryan and family, Mr. and Mrs. J. Sutherland, Mr. and Mrs. P. Wood ward, Mr. and Mrs. A. H. Thompson and Cuthbert, Mr. and Mrs. R. Hood. Mr. and Mrs. W. Bockelberg, Ina and Ern and Janette, Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Arnold, Mr. and Mrs. J. Hopkins, Mesdames R. H. Wells and B. Opie. Thelma and Horace, Mr. and Mrs. S. Cottell and family.
Mesdames S. G. Cottell, J. A. O'Dea. K. L. Forgan, II. Yelland, S. G. Cload, A. H. Rieschiek, and W. H. Walker, Marj and Ted Fenn. Marj and Frank White. Insp. and Mrs. W. Giles and Gwen and Phyl. Mr. and Mrs. M. B. Condon, Mr. and Mrs. Grieve and Jim, Mr. and Mrs. F. Brighton and Rose and Frank, C. W. Marchant. Mr. and .Mrs. A. O. Footner. Mr. and Mrs. Parker. Evelyn, Clarrie, and girls. Mr. and Mrs. L. V. Stanwix and family. Mr. and Mrs. J. G. Sweeney and Mar,. Rita, Gladys, and Les. Mr. and Mrs. Jim Jones, Mr. and Mrs. T. Guerin and family. Nance Preston and Margaret Smith. Eunice and Jack Catchpole, Mr. and Mrs. B. Hartley. Broken Hill Associated Smelters Proprietary Limited. Electrical Trades Union. B Company 43rd Battalion Miiitia, council and staff ot Pirie Technical School. St. Peter's (Risdon Park), clergy of St. Paul's Church, members of Pirie Rifle Club, workmates of B.H.A.S. machine shop. Brook Meat Store. Associates of Pirie Golf Club, Pirie branch of Federated Ironworkers' Association. Pirie Tennis Club.
Two glass-domed wreaths were sent by clerical staffs of Smelters and Pirie Corporation and the B.H.A.S. powwerhouse staff.
Those who bore the coffin were Messrs. W. Bockelberg, L. Craigie, C. W. Marchant, L. V. Stanwix, R. Brakenridge, and E. Fenn.
NO INQUEST
Mr. A. R. L. Goode (coroner) announced yesterday that, having read the police report, visited the scene of the fatality, and questioned the men in charge of operations he had decided that an inquest was unnecessary.

Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 - 1954) Thu 18 Jul 1940
MAN ELECTROCUTED
Fatality At Pirie Smelters
Eric Norman Stevens, 35, electrical fitter, of Henry street, Risdon Park, was electrocuted at the Broken Hill Associated Smelters, at Port Pirie, at about 6.30 a.m. on Tuesday, while he was working on the new Dwight Lloyd plant. Stevens was taken to the hospital and placed in the iron lung, but there was no sign of life. A report is being prepared for the Coroner (Mr. A. H. L. Goode).
Stevens left a widow. He was at the Smelters for 14 years.

Eric married Hazel Beryl LEANE [6024] [MRIN: 2039], daughter of Frederick Thomas LEANE [6013] and Emma Elizabeth HOFFMAN [6022], on 14 Apr 1934 in St Paul's Church, Port Pirie, South Australia. (Hazel Beryl LEANE [6024] was born on 21 Feb 1905 in Ellendale, Port Pirie, South Australia, died on 16 Oct 1976 in Adelaide, South Australia and was cremated on 19 Oct 1976 in Centennial Park Crematorium, Adelaide, South Australia.)

  Marriage Notes:

1934 SA Marriages 347/1302 STEVENS Eric Norman LEANE Hazel Beryl, Clare

Recorder (Port Pirie, SA : 1919 - 1954) Mon 16 Apr 1934
Stevens-Leane
There was a pretty ceremony in the Anglican Church of St. Paul's- on Saturday evening when. Mr. Eric Norman Stevens, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Stevens, of Oakleigh, Victoria, was married to Miss Hazel Beryl Leane, only, daughter of Mrs. E. E. Leane of The Terrace, Port Pirie. The church was daintily decorated by Mrs. F. Brighton and other friends of the bride. (Rev. A. S. K. Baker was the officiating clergyman. The bride looked graceful as she walked up the aisle on the arm of her brother, Mr. J. K. Leane. Her beautiful model frock of silk lace in rose design fitted the figure, a yoke of tulle was high at the neckline, and the back had an opening which was closed at the neck with, a brilliant clasp. The skirt, which widened, out into a long train, was trimmed with a wide frill of tulle and lace applique. The sleeves were long and tight fitting, and were finished off with tiny silk buttons.
Dainty Trainbearers:
A becoming veil of creme tulle was worn with a halo headdress trimmed wilfh orange blossoms. This was carried by two tiny trainbearers, Mary McCormack and Betty Sabben, who were frocked alike in lime green Early Victorian dresses, with dainty fuchus. They wore pink juliet caps with sequin crowns, and looked veny dainty. The bride carried a bouquet of asters and tuberoses. The only bridesmaid, Miss Rose Tucker, wore a sheath frock of apricot georgette with a panel of pin tucks, and three frills formed the sleeves. The crown of her hat was made entirely of velvet flowers and apricot shadings with pearl centres, and the brim was of apricot tulle. Mr. Wilfred Leane (brother of the bride) acted as bestman, and Mr. C. Rohrsheam presided at the organ. To the bridesmaid a brilliant bracelet set in chromium, and to the trainbearers silver inscribed serviette rings, were the gifts of the bridegroom.
Mrs. Leane (mother of the bride) was dressed in mulberry ottoman silk, with cowl collar and pleated trimmings, and her hat was the same tone in stitched felt. Mrs. Stevens (bridegroom's mother) wore black marocain trimmed with grey, with black straw hat.
A Happy Reception:
The reception was held at the Central Hotel, and Miss Rowan provided an excellent breakfast. The toast "The Bride and Bride groom" was proposed by Mr. W. Bockelberg who referred to the qualities of the couple. His remarks were supported with musical honors. The bridegroom suitably responded. Mr. Stevens then toasted "The bridesmaid and Trainbeareirs," to which Mr. W. Leane replied. "The Parents" was proposed by Mr. L. Hunt, and acknowledgment was made by Mr. J. Leane, Mr. T. F. Wells proposed a toast to Miss Rowan, and Mr. F. Rowan responded. During the breakfast Rev. Baker read numerous telegrams of congratulations. The honeymoon will be spent in Victoria, and the happy couple will sail for Melbourne by the Westralia today. The bride's travelling dress was of heavy wool and silk marocain in mustard, orange, and brown plaid, with mustard silk cowl collar. Buttons trimmed the raglan sleeves from neck to wrist, and a brown leather belt made a neat finish. Her hat was of smart brown felt. On their return Mr. and Mrs. Stevens will reside at Henry street, Risdon Park.
Present at Breakfast:
Those present at the wedding breakfast were Mr. and Mrs. E. N. Stevens, Mr. and Mrs. L. Hunt, Mr. and Mrs. W. Brockelberg, Mr. and Mrs. T. F. Wells, Mr. and Mrs. B. A. Clarke, Mr. and Mrs. R. Wells, Mesdames E. E. Leane, J. M. Stevens, V. Staude, F. X. Martin, P. woodward, F. Brighton, Misses E. Ryan, B. Sabben, M. McCormack, R. Tucker, J. Cottell, E. White, M. Barry, M. Prosser, J. Yelland, Knight, G, Heneker, Sister Heinrich, Nurse Karger, Rev. A. S. K. Baker, Messrs. J. Leane, W. Leane, L. Craigie, and T. Fenn.