Donald Singleton STEWART

Donald Singleton STEWART

Donald Stewart (Sunday Times, 8/10/1916)

Per his military service record (regimental no. 4600), Donald Singleton Stewart was born at Wellington, N.S.W. He gave his age as 18 years (instead of his actual age of 16 years and 9 months), his marital status as single, and his occupation as grocer. His description on his medical was height 5 feet 8 inches tall, weight 9 stone 5 lbs., with a fair complexion, blue eyes, and fair hair. His religious denomination was Methodist.  He was known as one of the Wellington recruits, and joined the Coo-ees on the road after the Coo-ees had passed through Wellington. He was attested by Captain Nicholas “eight miles east” of Molong [at Boomey] on the 22nd October 1915, and completed his medical at Molong on 22^nd October 1915. He claimed that he had previous military service with the Militia.

After completing the Coo-ee March he went to Liverpool Camp as reinforcement for the 13^th Battalion.

On his embarkation roll his address at time of enrolment was Park Street, Wellington, N.S.W., and his next of kin is listed as his father, E. Stewart, Park Street, Wellington, N.S.W.

Private Stewart departed Sydney on the HMAT A70 Ballarat on the 16^th February 1916 as 14^th Reinforcement for the 13^th Battalion. He arrived in Egypt on the 22^nd March 1916. On the 1^st April 1916 he was transferred to the 54^th Battalion.

On the 19^th June 1916 Private Stewart left Alexandria aboard HT Caledonian bound for France, arriving at Marseille on the 29^th June 1916.

On the 20^th July 1916 Private Stewart was reported missing in action after taking part in the Battle of Fromelles. On the 12^th August 1916 Private Stewart was reported to be a prisoner of war in Germany. He was interned at Dulmen, Germany (a prison camp in Westphalia), then later detained at Schneidemuhl, Germany.

One of the youngest of the Coo-ees, he had his 17^th birthday in Liverpool Camp, and his 18^th and 19^th birthdays as a prisoner of war in Germany (Wellington Times, 19/9/1918, p. 3).

After the end of the war, Private Stewart was repatriated to England on the 18^th December 1918.

Private Stewart departed England on the 3^rd May 1919 for return to Australia aboard the steamer Leicestershire, disembarking at Sydney on the 22^nd June 1919. He was discharged on the 14^th August 1919.