1896 Born Hampshire
1901 census . Father a Sergeant in 4th KRRC
1911 census
WS Ref #: 1479, Witness: Sean Healy, (Blackrock County Dublin) Captain IRA, Cork, 1921. A certain British spy, named Stephens, was observed travelling around the city in British military Lorries during curfew hours, for the purpose of guiding the Crown forces to the houses of any Volunteers that he knew. He was attending the Cork University as a student, through which means he was able to collect valuable information for the enemy. I received orders from the Brigade O/C. that this man was, to he put permanently out of commission. Lieut. 'CharlieO'Brien and another Volunteer, whose name I cannot now remember, accompanied me to a position in the proximity of the University close to the entrance gate. His movements had been previously observed and we were aware that it was his usual practice to pass this particular point. Stephens duly alighted from a tram car and proceeded to the University, which building was practically adjoining Cork Male Prison. Just as we were about to take him in to custody, a couple of Lorries of soldiers and police appeared on the scene, evidently on their way into the gaol. The Lorries came to a halt and Stephens managed to get away. We then quickly retreated to a backstreet, having been pursued by the police, but we evaded capture. This incident happened at 9a.m. Of course, the matter was fully reported to police and military headquarters and my movements were carefully watched. From that time onwards I was a marked man and my only chance of escape was to leave the city and join a country flying column, which I had in contemplation, but I was taken prisoner before I could do so
1921 Sep 13. He appears to have fled to Mexico
‘The Collins Papers’ Irish Republican Army: Department of Intelligence (I.R.A.): Tobin, Liam: Collins, Michael (1890 -1922) from 15 June 1921 to 27 March 1922. IE_MA_CP_05_02_06. Intelligence Officer, Headquarters, 1 Southern Division and Deputy Director of Intelligence, General Headquarters also discuss a Walter Murphy, Cable Operator, a Student called Stevens/Stephens from Cork