Description
Military Medal, George V, type I, impressed “5472 PTE C.N. STEWART. 18/AUST:INF”.
British War Medal, impressed “5472 PTE. C.N. STEWART. 18-BN. A.I.F.”.
Victory Medal, impressed “5472 PTE. C.N. STEWART. 18 BN. A.I.F.”.
A standard service with a noteworthy citation – the recommendation was initially for a Distinguished Conduct Medal (as stated on the War Memorial website), and it is worth noting that the action being single-man and heroic, definitely reads as a DCM citation and undoubtedly deserving of the higher gallantry award. With original, tatty ribbons, medals have seen wear, Very Fine.
Born in 1898 in Warren, New South Wales, Charles Noel Stewart was the son of Mr Alex Stewart and a telephonist by trade upon his attestation for the Australian Imperial Force on the 12th February 1916 at Dubbo, New South Wales, enlisting as Private 5472 of the 14th Reinforcements to the 18th Australian Infantry Battalion.
- Stated a previous service with cadets (no further details)
- Embarked at Sydney aboard HMAT ‘Wiltshire’ on the 22nd August 1916, disembarked at Plymouth 13th October 1916.
- Marched in to 5th Training Battalion 16th December 1916
- Taken on Strength to 18th Battalion from 14th Reinforcements 19th February 1917’
- Wounded in action on the 3rd May 1917 (minor), rejoined Battalion 18th May
After taking part in repelling the German offensive in Spring of 1918, the Allied offensive began – the 18th Battalion were involved battles in Amiens on the 8th – 9th August.
- Recommended for Distinguished Conduct Medal (per. Australian War Memorial) – later changed to M.M. (23rd August 1918)
“He was No.1. of a Lewis Gun crew in the operations of 8th/9th August 1918, east of AMIENS. On reaching the final objective of 9th August, 1918, the tanks were put out of action. Two parties of the enemy were seen massing about 800 yards away. Pte STEWART, although the rest of his crew had become casualties, took his gun forward in the face of heavy M.G.fire and dispersed the enemy inflicting heavy loss and relieving a critical situation.”
- Wounded in action (2nd occasion), GSW to right ankle 9th August 1918 (same action as DCM recommendation)
- Stewart appears to have remained out of active service following the 9th August, remaining in England
- Awarded Military Medal on the 4th May 1919 (London Gazette 62, Supplement 31338, 4th May 1919, pg. 6061; Commonwealth of Australia Gazette 109, 15th 1919, pg. 1366)
Charles Noel Stewart returned to Australia on the 9th March 1919 aboard HMAT ‘Kashmir’ and discharged from the Australian Imperial Force.