| Regimental number | 6/982 |
| Date of birth | |
| Place of birth | Premnay, Aberdeenshire, Scotland |
| Occupation | Professor |
| Address | Canterbury College, Christchurch |
| Marital status | Single |
| Age at embarkation | 30 |
| Next of kin | Mother, Mrs Stewart, 60 East Claremont Street, Edinburgh, Scotland |
| Previous military service | 6th King's Liverpool Regiment, British Territorial Force |
| Enlistment date | |
| Rank on embarkation | Lieutenant |
| Enlistment status | Volunteer |
| Unit name | New Zealand Expeditionary Force, Main Body, Canterbury Infantry Battalion |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Wellington on |
| The Canterbury Infantry Battalion, Main Body, left New Zealand on board two ships, 'Tahiti' and 'Athenic'. It is not possible from the Nominal Roll to determine on which ship an individual embarked. | |
| Final rank | Colonel |
| Final unit | Canterbury Regiment |
| Medals |
Bar to Distinguished Conduct Medal 'Operations Messines ? 7th June 1917. As Commanding Officer of the 2nd Batt. Canterbury Regiment, Lieut Colonel Stewart has shown the highest qualities of organisation, leadership and power of command during the past 6 months.
Preparatory to the Messines offensive he spent weeks in training and preparing his Battalion for this particular operation. His Battalion was entrusted with the taking of the final objective allotted to this Brigade and it was undoubtedly owing to the arrangements he made that the success was so complete. Lieut Col Stewart possesses to a marked degree the offensive spirit, and inspires all ranks under him with the same keenness. During the battle itself on the morning of the 7th June he went forward at great personal risk under a heavy artillery barrage, showing an utter disregard of danger to superintend the advance of his forward companies to the final objective; and it was at this moment when he was about to establish his Battalion Headquarters on the ridge, that he was severely wounded in 8 places by an enemy shell. I consider him worthy of special mention.'
Source: London Gazette Date: Distinguished Service Medal 'Operations Somme, Flers, Goose Alley, Drop Alley, Grid Trenches: 21st September to 2nd October 1916. On the night 20th/21st September, Lieut-Colonel Stewart planned and carried out with his Battalion a most successful attack on Goose Alley, and Drop Alley, which was captured with very little loss. But subsequently during the night the enemy made four desperate counter attacks which after very
hard fighting were eventually driven back, and the front trenches regained, it was entirely owing to Lieut-Colonel Stewart's and Capt Starne's determined action that the enemy were finally driven off. Again on the 1st October, in the taking of the Grid Trench and Grid Support Trenches Lieut-Colonel Stewart displayed great skill in the way he handled his Battalion. In connection with the fighting on the 20th/21st September, as described above, the following telegrams were received by the G.O.C. New Zealand Division from the G.O.C. 4th army (General Sir Henry Rawlinson) and the Commander of the V Corps. "Please congratulate the New Zealand Division from me on their excellent work on Flers, and Drop Alley. They deserve every credit for their gallantry and perseverance. The Corps Commander
congratulates General Sir A.H. Russell and the New Zealand Division on the success gained last night (20th/21st inst) by the 2nd Canterbury Regiment. The repeated attacks renewed and delivered with such energy and determination speak highly of
the fine fighting qualities displayed by all ranks. The Corps Commander particularly desires to express to Lieut Colonel Stewart his admiration of his gallant and courageous leading."'
Source: London Gazette Date: Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George 'This Officer Commanded his Battalion with great distinction during the Autumn Advance 1918. He also commanded a brigade temporarily during operations, in an entirely satisfactory manner. In addition to his other duties, he has successfully organised and, later, superintended the Educational System in force in the New Zealand Expeditionary Force.'
Source: London Gazette Date: Croix de Guerre (France) 'For distinguished services rendered during the course of the campaign. (Gallipoli).'
Source: London Gazette Date: Mentioned in Despatches 'For distinguished and gallant services and devotion to duty. Field Marshal D. Haig. Commander in Chief the British Armies in France, despatch dated 9th April 1917.'
Source: London Gazette Date: Mentioned in Despatches 'Switch Line, south east of High Wood, 15th 16th, 17th and 18th September 1916. As Officer Commanding the 2nd Canterbury Batt. holding the Switch Line for four consecutive days under heavy shell fire, Lieut Colonel Stewart set an example of the highest soldierly qualities to all ranks and displayed great skill in the manner in which he dealt with the situation. Goose Alley and Drop Alley, night 20th/21st September 1916. Again on the night of the 20th September Lieut Colonel Stewart planned and carried out with his battalion a most successful attack on Goose Alley and Drop Alley was captured with very little loss. Three times during the night as a result of counterattacks the trenches were lost and won. Through the energy and determination of Lieut Colonel Stewart and Captain Starnes the enemy was finally driven off with heavy loss.'
Source: London Gazette Date: Mentioned in Despatches 'In connection with the operations described in General I. Hamilton's despatch dated 11 December 1915.'
Source: London Gazette Date: Military Cross 'For distinguished service in the field. (Gallipoli).'
Source: London Gazette Date: Mentioned in Despatches 'For distinguished and gallant services and devotion to duty during the period 16th September 1918, to 15th March 1919.'
Source: London Gazette Date: Mentioned in Despatches 'Mentioned in Field Marshall D. Haig's despatch of 7 November 1917 for distinguished and gallant services and devotion to duty during the period February
26th to midnight September 20/21st, 1917.'
Source: London Gazette Date: |
| Discharge date | |
| Other details |
War service: Egypt, Gallipoli, Western Front Enlisted, appointed to rank of lieutenant, taken on strength Canterbury Infantry Battalion and posted to 13th (North Canterbury) Company, 13 August 1914. Reported wounded in action, the Dardanelles, 6 June 1915. Promoted to rank of captain, the Dardanelles, 9 August 1915. Transferred to Auckland Infantry Battalion with temporary rank of major, the Dardanelles, 11 August 1915. Promoted to rank of lieutenant-colonel, 2nd Battalion, Canterbury Infantry Regiment, Egypt, 27 February 1916. Awarded Croix de Guerre (French), 31 May 1917. Reported wounded in action, 6 June 1917, France; admitted 4th London General Hospital, England, 10 June 1917 (shrapnel wounds, multiple). Awarded Distinguished Service Order (DSO) for distinguished service in the field, 15 June 1917. Appointed to command 2nd New Zealand Infantry Brigade, France, 22 December 1917. Mentioned in despatches by Field-Marshal Sir Douglas Haig for distinguished and gallant service in the field, 31 December 1917. Awarded bar to DSO for distinguished service in the field, 1 January 1918. Relinquishes command of 2nd New Zealand Infantry Brigade and resumes command of 2nd Battalion, Canterbury Infantry Regiment, 10 January 1918. Married Alexandrina Kathleen Johnston, Uttoxeter, Staffordshire, England, 21 February 1918. Appointed to command 2nd New Zealand Infantry Brigade, 6 August 1918; relinquishes command of 2nd New Zealand Infantry Brigade, and resumes command of 2nd Battalion, Canterbury Infantry Regiment, 22 August 1918. Embarked onboard HMNZT 'Ruahine' in England and commenced return to New Zealand, 3 November 1919; disembarked at Wellington, 26 December 1919. Struck off strength of New Zealand Expeditionary Force and absorbed into the Reserve of Officers with rank of lieutenant-colonel, relinquishing temporary rank of colonel, 24 January 1920. |
| Date of death | |
| Age at death | 50 |
| Sources | Nominal Roll Vol. 1: Canterbury Infantry Batln/Main Body Archives New Zealand (Wellington), Agency AABK, Series 18805 |