Kenneth George Stewart

KENNETH GEORGE STEWART
Kenneth George Stewart Reg. No. 5626 was 32 years of age when he enlisted in 1916. He was the son of Emily Stewart of Church Road Campbelltown South Australia. He had been a member of Millbrook Rifle Club for 16 years and a member of Athelstone Rifle Club for 6 months. He had also served 2 years in the 16th Light Horse Brigade South Australia. He was a married man and his wife Lavina Stewart was noted as his next of kin, c/o Mrs. F Washington of Royston Park.
A gardener by occupation he signed up as a Sapper in the 2nd Tunneling Company. Tunneling Companies in the British Army were drawn from mining communities. They were used to tunnel under enemy positions, or near to enemy positions, to either lay explosive charges, or for troops to get closer to enemy positions but not be under fire. Britain asked the Dominions to raise tunneling Companies to help the war in Europe. Australia, New Zealand, and Canada all supplied tunneling companies. After training in Victoria, Sapper Stewart sailed from Melbourne aboard HMAT Ulysses A38, on 25th October 1916. Prior to leaving Melbourne he was promoted to acting Sergeant. He arrived in France on 28th January 1917 and was attached to the 2nd tunneling Company on 8th February 1917. On the 26th of February 1918 he was wounded in action. He had been poisoned by a Gas Shell. He was evacuated to England and admitted to 1st London General Hospital on 13th March 1918. Mrs. Emily Stewart, his mother, requested further information re his health from the Red Cross. It was decided that he was medically unfit for further service, and was to be returned to Australia via the Hospital Ship Dunluce Castle. After transferring to the S.S. Port Darwin he arrived in Adelaide on 8th April 1918. On discharge he had served 3 Years 20 days, 1 Year 298 days had been served abroad.
Kenneth George Stewart died on 22nd June 1973. He has a plaque in the South Australian Garden of remembrance.

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