Sapper John Ewen Stewart

SAPPER JOHN EWEN STEWART 1160 – 3rd Tunnelling Company

John Ewen Stewart stated he was born in Golden, New South Wales about 1878 the son of Thomas and Margaret (nee Gore) Stewart. Military training was gained from one year with the Australian Horse Regiment until he resigned. His mother died in 1892 at Boggabri, NSW and John went to the goldfields of Western Australia. In 1906 he was mining at Day Dawn. Two years later he appeared in the Criminal Court which was reported in the:

Kalgoorlie Miner Wednesday December 2, 1908: THE CRIMINAL COURT Perth, Dec, 1. John Ewen Stewart was charged with having, at Narrogin, criminally assaulted a girl aged 17, who was almost deaf and dumb, and of weak intellect. Under the circumstances the Crown contended that the defence of consent was not a sufficient reply to the charge, as the girl must be regarded as being, in law, under the age of 16 years. The accused was found not guilty and discharged.

He was a miner at Black Range in the Mt Magnet district up to 1910 and later that year recorded as a shearer at Pyramid Station, Roebourne where he remained working for many years.

At the recruiting depot in Perth (5th Military District) on November 26, 1915 the thirty-eight year old labourer applied to enlist for active service abroad and passed the medical examination. Attestation forms were completed and describe him as 179cms (5ft 11½ins) tall, weighing 70kgs (154lbs) with a chest expansion of 92-97cms (36-38ins). Complexion was sallow with brown eyes and dark brown hair. Distinctive marks were two vaccination scars on his left arm, an appendicitis scar and a lump between his shoulder blades. Religion was Roman Catholic and his postal address was G.P.O., Perth. Next-of-kin nominated was his father Thomas Stewart of Boggabri, NSW. Swearing in took place the same day.

Basic training commenced on November 27, 1915 with the 37th Depot Battalion.

Recruiting for the Miners’ Corps officially began on December 1st, 1915 therefore Private Stewart was placed for basic training at the Helena Vale camp at Blackboy Hill, W.A. with the newly forming Corps. The Unit’s title was the No. 3 Company with a major portion of No. 3 Company recruited by 2nd Lt. L.J. Coulter, A.I.F. who was sent from N.S.W. to W.A. for that purpose.

They were made up to strength with 1 Officer and 274 Other Ranks and embarked from Fremantle, W.A.

No.3 Company recruits at Blackboy Hill, 3 December 1915 & on Parade - 16 December 1915 Photos courtesy Graeme Williams, grandson of 1202 Spr Charles Williams – 3ATC December 18, 1915 the company sailed for Sydney, NSW on board the troopship SS Indarra. His name appears on the passenger list which was published in: The West Australian Saturday December 18, 1915: INDARRA’S PASSENGERS The following passengers are booked to leave by the Indarra to-day: Messrs….J.E. Stewart Article abridged

On Boxing Day (Dec 26th), 1915 the Unit arrived in Sydney and marched into Casula Camp, near Liverpool, NSW. They were joined by the 4th Section of the Tasmanian Miners, bringing the establishment strength up to 15 officers and 349 Other Ranks under the command of 2nd Lieutenant L.J. Coulter.

Mining Corps Units from all Military districts came together at Casula camp, near Liverpool, NSW to complete training as a Corps. Stewart was assigned the regimental number 1160 in the rank of Sapper and remained in No. 3 Company.

At a civic parade in the Domain, Sydney on Saturday February 19, 1916, a large crowd of relations and friends of the departing Miners lined the four sides of the parade ground. Sixty police and 100 Garrison Military Police were on hand to keep the crowds within bounds. The scene was an inspiriting one. On the extreme right flank, facing the saluting base, were companies of the Rifle Club School; next came a detachment of the 4th King’s Shropshire Light Infantry, then the bands of the Light Horse, Liverpool Depot, and the Miners’ on the left, rank upon rank, the Miners’ Battalion.

The Corps boarded HMAT A38 Ulysses in Sydney, NSW on February 20 and sailed for the European theatre. Arriving in Melbourne, Victoria on February 22 the Miners camped at Broadmeadows for a stay of 7 days while further cargo was loaded.

Another parade was held at the Broadmeadows camp on March 1, the Miners’ Corps being inspected by the Governor-General, as Commander-in-Chief of the Commonwealth military forces.

Leaving Melbourne on March 1, Ulysses arrived at Fremantle, Western Australia on March 7 where a further 53 members were taken on board.

On Wednesday March 8, 1916 the whole force, with their band and equipment, paraded at Fremantle prior to leaving Victoria Quay at 9.30 o’clock.

The ship hit a reef when leaving Fremantle harbour, stripping the plates for 40 feet and, although there was a gap in the outside plate, the inner bilge plates were not punctured. The men on board nicknamed her ‘Useless’. The Miners were off-loaded and sent to the Blackboy Hill Camp where further training was conducted.

The Mining Corps comprised 1303 members at the time they embarked with a Headquarters of 40; No.1 Company – 390; No.2 Company – 380; No.3 Company – 392, and 101 members of the 1st Reinforcements.

Finally departing Fremantle on April 1, Ulysses voyaged via Suez, Port Said and Alexandria in Egypt. The Captain of the ship was reluctant to take Ulysses out of the Suez Canal because he felt the weight of the ship made it impossible to manoeuvre in the situation of a submarine attack. The troops were transhipped to HM Transport B.1 Ansonia, then on to Valetta, Malta before disembarking at Marseilles, France on May 5, 1916. As a unit they entrained at Marseilles on May 7 and detrained on May 11 at Hazebrouck.

A ‘Mining Corps’ did not fit in the British Expeditionary Force, and the Corps was disbanded and three Australian Tunnelling Companies were formed. The Technical Staff of the Corps Headquarters, plus some technically qualified men from the individual companies, was formed into the entirely new Australian Electrical and Mechanical Mining and Boring Company (AEMMBC), better known as the ‘Alphabetical Company’. Four sections of the No. 3 Company were dispersed to various sectors for instructional training.

Disciplinary action was taken for the following in the field as follows: Offence: Absenting himself without leave from his billet from 3p.m. on 20/5/16 to 8a.m. 21/5/16 (17 hours) Award: 20 days F.P. No. 1 [Field Punishment] Total forfeiture: 22 day’s pay by C.O. Mining Corps

On June 28, 1916 Sapper went sick to hospital with bronchitis being admitted to the Aust Voluntary Hospital at Wimereux on July 5. He was invalided to England on July 8 on the hospital ship Stad Antwerpen entering the No. 2 Southern General Hospital in Manchester. On August 10 he was to report to A.I.F. Headquarters in London for furlough and then reported to the No. 1 Command Depot at Perham Downs. In August he was classed with B1b debility by the medical board.

Admitted to Tidworth Military Hospital on September 7, 1916 for ten days with enteritis he was discharged on September 16 to light duties.

He was taken on strength from Delhi Military Hospital on September 18, 1916 but admitted to the Brigade hospital for fourteen days treatment for a social disease on September 20, 1916 and given debility classification B1A on October 6. On October 13 he was taken on strength from Perham Down’s camp and transferred to the No. 3 Command Depot and placed in ‘D’ camp Bovington, Woolwich. On November 3 marched out to No. 4 C.D. at Wareham.

Meanwhile in France the No. 3 Company was officially transferred to the 3rd Tunnelling Company in the field on December 18, 1916.

Further disciplinary action was taken while there as follows: Offence: Wareham Absent without leave from midnight 9/12/16 to 10.30 am 17/12/16 Award: 8 day’s detention by Lt Col Long Total forfeiture: 16 day’s pay 9/1/17

On January 10, 1917 he was admitted to detention at the No. 4 Depot. Sapper was admitted to hospital at Wareham on January 18, 1917 for treatment of liver and lungs.

While at Wareham camp on January 20, 1917 the forty-year old former shearer appeared before the Medical Board and his Statement of Case reads:

Disability: Hydatid of left lung or liver (a cyst of watery contents produced by a dog tapeworm in the larval state which usually affects the liver and lungs) Origin of disability: Prior to enlistment Place of disability: Australia Essential facts: 17 years ago was operated on at Kalgoorlie for the removal of a Hydatid of the liver. Was sent from France with “inflammation of his lung” in July 1916. While in hospital developed ? Bowels are now regular. At Xmas time he had haemoptysis (coughing up blood from lungs or airways) and spat a good deal of blood (up to 1½ pints) on four occasions. Sputum was streaked for a fortnight afterwards Causation of disability: Prior to enlistment Present condition: There is marked darkness and diminution of heart murmurs at left base. Rhonchi (harsh wheezing sounds) and rales (clicking, rattling sounds in lungs) present over lower lobe of left lung. Expectoration prolonged. Aggravated by: prior enlistment and active service Livelihood: ¼% incapacity Recommendation: Permanently unfit for general service and temporarily unfit for Home service. 22/1/17 Wareham. Approved: 28/3/17

Sapper was admitted on March 3, 1917 to Verne Military Hospital for treatment of a social disease and after fourteen days was discharged on March 14 to the No. 2 Command Depot at Weymouth.

Discipline was issued for the following: Offence: Verne A.W.L. from 9pm until 10pm 31/3/17 Award: 2 days C.B. [confined to barracks]

Sapper Stewart embarked for Australia on April 8, 1917 from Plymouth, England on board H.T. Barambah for a change due to Hydatids. His berth for the voyage was a hammock. Base Records advised his next-of-kin by Lettergram on May 14, 1917 that he was returning home. It reads:

1160/MC FMP LETTERGRAM BOGGABRI, NSW T. STEWART

REPORTED SAPPER JOHN STEWART RETURNING AUSTRALIA DUE FREMANTLE ABOUT END OF MAY WILL ADVISE ANYTHING FURTHER RECEIVED

BASE RECORDS 14/5/17

The ship docked at Fremantle, W.A. (5th M.D.) on May 29, 1917. Disembarkation was to the No. 8 Aust General Hospital in Fremantle being admitted the same day for treatment of debility due to Fibrosis of lungs and Hydatid of liver.

His sister Mrs Jane Oldham of 315 Catherine Street, Leichhardt, Sydney wrote to Base Records on June 14, 1917 advising that her father was deceased (January 12, 1917) and had been named next-of-kin for her brothers serving abroad. She requested the postal addresses of her brothers.

Base Records replied on June 26, 1917 advising information requested on her five brothers and asked if she could let them know who became next-of-kin so that records could be amended with the exception of Private E.G. Stewart who nominated his brother Donald as his next-of-kin.

Base Records wrote again to Mrs Oldham on July 9, 1917 after receiving her letter of the 2nd instant advising that her name had been provisionally noted on records of her four brothers and she would be promptly advised of any cabled report received concerning any of them.

While at the hospital Sapper was in trouble again: Offence: A.W.L. from No. 8 A.G.H. from 10.30 pm 30/6/17 to 9.30 pm 1/7/17 Award: Forfeits 1 day’s pay And Offence: A.W.L. from No. 8 A.G.H. from 10.30 pm 2/7/17 to 8.15 pm 4/7/17 Award: Forfeits 2 day’s pay 5/7/17

On July 9 he appeared before the Medical Board and their Medical Statements read: General debility. Fibrosis of lungs. Hydatids of liver – operation prior to enlistment. Alcoholic. General condition fair. D.P.U. Incapacity ¼% for six months. Sapper was discharged to the Details camp at Karrakatta the same day.

Military Discharge was to be released in the 3rd Military District on July 2, 1917 but was issued in Perth (5th M.D.) on July 24, 1917 as medically unfit. The following day he was granted a military pension to be collected at Day Dawn from May 27, 1917 to the sum of 15 shillings per fortnight. This pension was increased from February 7 to 20 shillings per fortnight to him in Perth.

By 1919 he had returned to Roebourne working as a shearer.

For serving his country Sapper 1160 John Ewen Stewart, 3rd Tunnelling Company was issued with the British War Medal (8234) and the Victory Medal (8199).

He appeared in 1922 in the Perth Police Court which was reported in the: West Australian Thursday January 5, 1922: PERTH POLICE COURT Minor Charges.—For having been disorderly by using obscene language John Ewan Stewart (47), shearer, was fined 40s.

He was still registered residing at Roebourne, W.A. working as a shearer in 1922 under John Ewing Stewart. The following news was reported in the:

Northern Times (Carnarvon) Saturday July 21, 1923: ROEBOURNE NEWS SHEARING Mr Stewart, shearing contractor, was in town on Saturday. He has cut out Mt Florence and Coolawania, and is now shearing at Hamersley.

The Victory Medal was not collected from the designated barracks and returned to Base Records on September 30, 1924. A letter was sent from the Medals Section of Base Records care of the last known address of his next-of-kin on October 24, 1924.

John E. Stewart wrote to Base Records from his address at 100 Aberdeen Street, Perth, W.A. on June 4, 1925 requesting them to forward his Victory Medal to him. This was sent by registered post (no. 3553) to him on June 15, 1925.

The same year a John Edwin Stewart, shearer of Mt Leonora, W.A was registered in the district’s Electoral Rolls. He is not recorded again under any spelling variations.

Four of his brothers also served.

STEWART BROTHERS

PRIVATE ALEXANDER STEWART 2098 – 10th Light Horse Regiment / 12 Field Artillery Battery

In 1874 at Boggabri, New South Wales Alexander (Aleck) Stewart was born to parents Thomas and Margaret (nee Gore) Stewart. It appears that two brothers Aleck and John went to the goldfields of Western Australia together and were both in the Roebourne district in 1910. Aleck was a labourer in Roebourne that year and in 1913 he was a drover at Pyramid Station in the same region.

At the recruiting depot in Roebourne on August 21, 1915 the forty-one year old stockman applied to enlist for active service abroad and passed the preliminary medical examination.

At Blackboy Hill camp, near Perth on September 7, 1917 he completed Attestation Forms which describe him as 185cms (6ft ¾in) tall, weighing 76.8kgs (169lbs) with a chest measurement of 95cms (37½ins). Complexion was dark with brown eyes and had iron grey hair. Religion was Roman Catholic. Next-of- kin nominated was his father Mr Tom Stewart of Boggabri, NSW. He signed the ‘Oath of Enlistment’ the same day.

Basic training commenced the 28th Depot Battalion until September 18, 1915 then moved to the 3rd Depot Squadron for the 12th Reinforcements to the 10th Light Horse Regiment. On January 4, 1916 went to the 5th Depot Squad for final training. His regimental number was 2098 in the rank of Private.

The Reinforcements embarked from Fremantle, (5th Military District) W.A. on February 16, 1916 on HMAT A69 Warilda. The ship would have docked at the Suez and the troops were sent to Heliopolis where they were taken on strength with the 3rd B. Regiment until April 1, 1916 then transferred to the 4th Division Artillery based in Heliopolis. On April 7 he was mustered in lines and posted to No. 3 Section of the company and sent to Serapeum. A further muster on May 2 had him taken on strength as a temporary Shoe-smith which was later confirmed in France.

The troops proceeded from Alexandria to join the B.E.F. in France departing on HMT Missouri on June 10, 1916 arriving at Marseilles three days later.

On January 28, 1917 he was transferred and taken on strength with the 12th Field Artillery Brigade.

Illness occurred during February and March, 1917 with epididymitis (infection of the epididymis generally caused by a bacterial infection with pain, swelling and inflammation) and he returned to the Aust General Base Depot in Etaples on March 25. He was attached on April 16, 1917 to 4th Division Headquarters.

An injury to his neck occurred on May 2, 1917 while taking a wagon from a chateau to the stables the horse bolted overturning the vehicle and after an inquiry soldier was found not to blame. He also suffered contusion to his back, neck and head and was hospitalised and in convalescent depots during May and June, 1917.

Private returned to his unit in the field on August 4, 1917 and posted to the 38th Battery. His service continued without incident until he proceeded on leave on October 3, 1918 but contracted influenza while there and admitted to the 1st Aust Auxiliary Hospital in Harefield. He was transferred to the No. 2 Command Depot at Weymouth on October 19 with class C3 debility and was there when Peace was declared.

Private Stewart embarked for Australia on December 24, 1918 on board H.T. Takada as an invalid due to stricture of Urethra. Next-of-kin was advised by Base Records on January17, 1919 that he was on his way home. The ship docked in Fremantle (5th M.D.) on February 1, 1919. News of their arrival was published in the: West Australian Saturday February 1, 1919: TAKADA Troops will disembark at E Shed, Fremantle about 9 a.m. today.

Military Discharge was issued in Perth (5th M.D.) on April 22, 1919 as medically unfit.

Issued for service for his country Private 2098 Alexander Stewart, 10th Light Horse Regiment / 12 Field Artillery Battery received the British War Medal (8990) and the Victory Medal (8951).

These medals were not collected at the designated barracks and returned to Base Records on September 30, 1924. A letter was dispatched care of the last known address of his next-of-kin on October 24, 1924. The ex-soldier completed their Application Form for his medals to be sent to Roebourne and left Melbourne, Vic by registered post (no.920) on November 15, 1924. In 1919 he was working at Rocklea Station, Roebourne as a drover and he remained there until after 1943.

A Statement of his Service was requested by the Perth Branch of the Repatriation Department from Base Records and forwarded on March 31, 1932.

Alexander (Aleck) Stewart passed away on June 13, 1945 aged 74 years and is buried in Roebourne Cemetery.

Estate Notices were published during December, 1945 in the:

West Australian Friday December 14, 1945: NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND CLAIMANTS STEWART, Alexander, late of Roebourne, Drover and Miner (Last date for claims, January 10, 1946.)

PRIVATE CHARLES STEWART 1637 – 33rd Infantry Battalion / 3rd Aust Salvage Company

Boggabri, New South Wales was the birthplace on October 3, 1871 of Charles Stewart, son of Thomas and Margaret (nee Gore) Stewart. He had no military training and not been previously rejected for active service.

At the recruiting depot in Glen Innes, NSW on October 17, 1915 he passed the preliminary medical examination.

At the Armidale, NSW recruiting depot on December 17, 1915 the forty-four year old single labourer applied to enlist for active service abroad. Passing the medical examination personal particulars taken show he was 185cms (6ft ½in) tall with a chest expansion of 97cms (38ins). Postal address was Boggabri. Declared fit his application was accepted by the recruiting officer.

Described in Attestation forms weighing 80.9kgs (178lbs) with a chest expansion of 89-97cms (35-38ins) having a dark complexion, brown eyes and grey hair. Distinctive marks were a scar on his right instep and a scar on the right side of his face. Religious faith was Roman Catholic. Next-of-kin nominated was his father Thomas Stewart of Boggabri, NSW. He was sworn in the following day.

After basic training Private Stewart was assigned to “A” Company, 83rd Battalion on February 14, 1916 for further training and on April 4, 1916 at Rutherford to the Reinforcements to the 33rd Infantry Battalion.

The Reinforcements embarked from Sydney, NSW (2nd Military District) on May 4, 1916 on the transport HMAT A74 Marathon arriving at Plymouth, England on July 9, 1916. They were taken on strength with the 33rd Battalion on October 26 and moved to the 9th Training Battalion Depot on November 21. The men marched into Wandsworth camp on December 14 for final training for the front.

They proceeded overseas to France from Folkstone on the transport Princess Clementine on January 16, 1917 arriving at the 3rd Aust Divisional Base Depot two days later. On February 2, 1917 Private Stewart was transferred to the 3rd Aust Division Salvage Company.

During February he was evacuated from his unit suffering from Gastro-enteritis and again during May suffered from Diarrhoea On June 19, 1917 Private Stewart was gassed by a shell and conveyed to England on the hospital ship Pieter de Connick and admitted to the Horton County of London War Hospital for treatment. Base Records notified his sister Mrs Jane Oldham on July 16, 1917 that he has been taken to hospital suffering from gas poisoning.

Discharged to Furlough on August 3, 1917 was to report to the No. 2 Command Depot at Weymouth on August 17. While on leave went sick to the King George Hospital in Dublin and was discharged on August 20. He was given balance of leave and report to Weymouth on September 2, 1917.

Private Stewart embarked on September 26, 1917 on board H.T. Borda for a change due to overage. Base Records advised his sister on November 2, 1917 that he was returning home. The ship docked in Melbourne (3rd M.D.) on November 21, 1917 and he re-embarked for Sydney (2nd M.D.) the next day on the transport Suevic.

Military Discharge was issued in Sydney (2nd M.D.) on February 6, 1918 due to medical unfitness and overage.

The British War Medal (45860) and the Victory Medal (44766) were issued to Private 1637 Charles Stewart, 3rd Aust Salvage Company for serving his country.

Charles Stewart passed away in 1943 in Tamworth, NSW aged 72 years.

GUNNER EWEN GORE STEWART 1376 – 11th Light Horse / 14th Field Artillery Brigade

Ewen Gore Stewart was born at Boggabri, NSW in 1879 the son of Thomas and Margaret (nee Gore) Stewart. At twenty-two years of age he enlisted with the NSW 3rd Mounted Rifles for service in the Boer War in South Africa.

He was a shearer from Boggabri when he embarked in March, 1901 as a Trooper of “D” Squadron with the service no. 1614 when they arrived in April, 1901. After a valuable year’s service the Company entrained on April 28, 1902 to Cape Town for the voyage back to Australia arriving on June 3, 1902.

On February 16, 1915 at the recruiting depot in Emerald, Queensland the thirty-three year old unmarried driller applied to enlist for active service abroad and passed the medical examination. Forms of Attestation show he was 180cms (5ft 10¾ins) tall, weighed 70.9kgs (156lbs) with a chest measurement of 91cms (36ins). Complexion was fair with blue eyes and had brown hair. A distinctive mark was a cut on the front of his head behind his forehead under the hair. Religion was Roman Catholic. Next-of-kin nominated was his brother Donald Stewart of Boggabri, NSW. Swearing of Allegiance took place the same day.

Basic training commenced with the 11th Reinforcements to the 5th Light Horse Regiment in the rank of Private.

The Reinforcement embarked from Sydney (2nd Military District) on the transport HMAT A47 Maroubra on October 4, 1915. He was promoted on November 20, 1915 to the rank of Temporary Sergeant with the Composite Light Horse and returned to his rank on rejoining his unit on January 18, 1916. On March 1, 1916 was taken on strength at Maadi with the 2nd Reserve Regiment until March 27 when he was posted to the 55th Battery at Tel-el-Kebir.

On June 20, 1916 they proceeded to join the B.E.F. departing Alexandria on HMT Huntsend disembarking at Marseilles ten days later. During July he suffered from P.U.O. (pyrexia (fever) uncertain origin) and rejoined his unit the 14th F.A.B. on July 27, 1916.

He was detached temporarily to the 5th D.A.C. for the month of August rejoining on September 7th. Leave from France was taken after then but on his return spent time as a patient in the 10th Stationary Hospital at St Omer during October. On November 19, 1917 he was transferred to the 2nd General Hospital in Havre with Pleurisy and was invalided to England on January 4, 1918 to the Tooting Military Hospital suffering from severe pleurisy and placed on the dangerously ill list.

After improving and convalescing on January 24, 1918 Gunner Stewart embarked for Australia on the hospital ship Dunluce Castle and was transhipped at Cape Town to the H.T. Karoola on February 16, 1918. He was allocated a lower berth for the voyage. The ship docked in Melbourne (3rd M.D.) on March 10, 1918 and thence to Sydney with further travel to Brisbane (1st M.D.)

On March 14, 1918 he appeared before the Disembarkation Medical Board at No. 4 Aust General Hospital, at Randwick and his Statement of Case reads: Disability: Pyelo-nephritis (inflammation of kidney tissues and renal pelvis Origin of disability: France 12 months ago Essential facts: Had pain in back and sides and passed pus in urine Causation: Aggravated by service Present condition: Feels weak and still gets pain in back Pathological condition: Post nephritic debility – Flabby heart No signs of pyelo-nephritis Caused by: Infection Labour market: total incapacity Recommendation: Discharge & pension 14/3/18 Notes: He states he has good light work to go to Unfit for service

Military Discharge was issued in Sydney (2nd M.D.) on March 30, 1918 as medically unfit due to Pyelo- nephritis.

He married in 1919 in Sydney to Margaret Annie Wilson.

Gunner 1376 Ewen Gore Stewart, 14th Field Artillery was entitled to wear for service for his country the 1914-15 Star (4803), the British War Medal (20706) and the Victory Medal (20487).

From 1930 to 1937 he is registered at Lavantie, Somerton, in the Tamworth district of NSW as a farmer.

Ewen Gore Stewart died in Brisbane, Qld on April 6, 1942 aged 63 years. Family notices were published in the: Courier-Mail Tuesday April 7, 1942: FUNERAL NOTICES STEWART.—The Relatives and Friends of Mrs E.G. Stewart, of Railway Parade, Kuraby, Sapper A.W. Stewart (AIF Abroad), Miss Jean Stewart and Mr Donald Stewart are invited to attend the Funeral of her beloved Husband and their Father, Mr Ewen Gore Stewart, Ex 11th Light Horse, A.I.F., to leave the Funeral Parlour, 45 Adelaide Street, City, This (Tuesday) Afternoon, at 2 o’clock, for the Crematorium, Mt Thompson. CANNON & CRIPPS LTD, Funeral Directors

PRIVATE WILLIAM WALLACE STEWART 2915 – 56th Battalion

Ashford, Inverell, New South Wales was stated to be the birthplace of William Wallace Stewart in 1866 the son of Thomas and Margaret (nee Gore) Stewart. At the recruiting depot in Liverpool, NSW on July 4, 1915 the forty-four year old shearer applied to enlist for active service abroad. Passing the medical examination he was attested to be 183cms (6ft) tall, weighing 70kgs (154lbs) with a chest expansion of 89-94cms (35-37ins). Complexion was swarthy and his brown eyes tested to good vision and had black hair. Religious faith was Roman Catholic.

Next-of-kin nominated was his father Thomas Stewart of Boggabri, NSW. He was sworn in the following day.

After basic training he was allotted to the 9th Reinforcements to the 4th Battalion on August 30, 1915. His rank was Private with the regimental number 2915.

The Reinforcement departed Sydney (2nd Military District) on September 30, 1915 on HMAT A8 Argyllshire and they disembarked at the Suez. On January 6, 1916 they joined their Battalion at Tel-el- Kebir but were transferred on February 13 to the 56th Battalion and taken on strength.

On June 10, 1916 the unit proceeded to join the B.E.F. in France and embarked from Alexandria on HMT Huntsend for Marseilles arriving on June 20.

His service continued until granted leave to the United Kingdom in January, 1917.

On April 11, 1917 he was detached for duty with the Y.M.C.A. and enjoyed leave again from February, 1918 rejoining the Y.M.C.A. on March 6.

He was wounded in action on April 24, 1918 while on detachment being gassed by a shell and admitted to the 9th General Hospital in Rouen. Five days later he was evacuated to England on the hospital ship Aberdonian entering Graylingwell War Hospital in Chichester the following day.

On May 8 was transferred to the 3rd Aust Auxiliary Hospital at Dartford and on May 15 moved to the No. 2 Command Depot at Weymouth. The same day Base Records advised next-of-kin that he had been wounded and on May 24 which hospital in England admitted to and his postal address for correspondence.

On June 6, 1918 Private Stewart embarked for Australia on board H.T. Barambah for discharge due to gas poisoning. Base Records advised his next-of-kin on June 25 that he was on his way home.

The ship docked in Melbourne (3rd M.D.) on July 31, 1918 and then travelled to Sydney (2nd M.D.) arriving on August 2, 1918.

Military Discharge was issued in Sydney (2nd M.D.) on December 13, 1918 as medically unfit.

He married in 1919 to Margaret Christie with their union registered at Redfern, Sydney, NSW.

For service for his country Private 2915 William Wallace Stewart, 56th Battalion received the 1914/15 Star (11477), the British War Medal (18178) and the Victory Medal (17959).

From 1930 onwards they were listed residing at ‘Wild Rose’, Somerton, with his occupation as a farmer and grazier.

William Wallace Stewart died on October, 4, 1946 aged 79 years. Burial took place in Tamworth Cemetery in portion PBN within section PP.

Notice of Probate and Estate business was advertised in the: Sydney Morning Herald Tuesday October 15, 1946: LEGAL NOTICES In the Will of WILLIAM WALLACE STEWART, late of Bective, near Tamworth, in the State of New South Wales, Farmer and Grazier deceased. Application will be made after 14 days from the publication hereof that Probate of the last Will and Testament dated 2nd May 1946 of the abovenamed deceased may be granted to Margaret Rose Stewart, the Executrix named in the Will and all notices may be served at the undermentioned address. All creditors in the Estate of the deceased are hereby required to send in particulars of their claims to the undersigned. R.J. O’Halloran, Proctor for the Executrix, “Central Chambers,” Peel Street, Tamworth. By his Agents; Messrs Warrington Connolly & Co., 12 O’Connell Street, Sydney. His grave is marked by a Commonwealth War Grave.

Commonwealth War Grave for Private W.W. Stewart Tamworth General Cemetery, NSW Photo sourced from Australian Cemeteries Index