Clarence William STEWART
Per his military service record (5222), Clarence William Stewart was born at Hargraves, N.S.W.[1] He gave his age as 21 years, his marital status as single, and his occupation as labourer. His description on his Certificate of medical examination was height 5 feet 6 inches tall, weight 151 lbs, with a fair complexion, brown eyes, and brown hair. His religious denomination was Roman Catholic. His next of kin on his Attestation paper was recorded as his mother, Mrs Mary Stewart, Hargraves, N.S.W.
He completed his medical examination at Wellington on 25th October 1915, (7 days after the Coo-ees had left that town), then travelled to Blayney to catch up with the Coo-ees. He was attested by Captain Eade at Blayney on 26th October 1915. He claimed to have no previous military experience.
‘C. W. Stewart’ was named in the Bathurst Times as one of the Wellington recruits that joined the Coo-ees at Blayney on 26th October 1915.[2]
After completing the Coo-ee March he went to Liverpool Camp as reinforcement for the 13th Battalion.
On 2nd February 1916 Private Stewart was charged with being absent without leave for 6 days. He was fined 30 shillings.
On 7th February 1916 Private Stewart was charged with being absent from special picquet. He was fined 10 shillings.
On 22nd February 1916 Private Stewart was charged with being absent from parade. He was fined 5 shillings.
His mother sent a letter dated 29th March 1916 requesting her underage son be discharged from the A.I.F., in which she stated: ‘’In reference to my son Clarrie … I now find it my absolute duty to ask you, please, to discharge him at once as it is a case of necessity I cannot allow him to stay in any longer. If at any time when he is twenty one, he has the same patriotic feelings, he may, with my consent, re-enlist”.[3]
A copy of his birth certificate was also provided, dated 28th March 1916, which showed that his date of birth was 17th October 1897.[4] Clarence William Stewart therefore had only been 18 years and 9 days old when he enlisted on 26th October 1915 (and not 21 years of age as stated on his Attestation paper).
On 7th April 1916 Private Stewart was discharged at his mother’s request.
[1] NAA: B2455, STEWART C W
[2] ‘Western news’, The Bathurst Times, 27 October 1915, p. 3. Retrieved January 3, 2017, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article111244211
[3] NAA: B2455, STEWART C W, letter to O.C., A Company, 13 Battalion, from M. Stewart, 29 March 1916.
[4] NAA: B2455, STEWART C W, Birth Certificate.
1915 Coo-ee March 