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Jul 15, 1898
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Born in Lavenham, Suffolk,
England to Alfred and Amelia Steward
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Jan 14, 1914
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Embarked the SS Royal Edward
in Avonmouth
On embarking he stated his age
as 16 years
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Jan 22, 1914
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Disembarked in Saint John, New
Brunswick and proceeded to Ottawa, Ontario
There is a report that he
lived in Kingston, Ontario for a short time
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Nov 7, 1914
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After volunteering for active
service in Ottawa, he was sent to Kingston to be Attested into the 21st
Battalion CEF in Kingston, Ontario
Ø Number 59913
(temporary number 919)
Ø Next of kin given
as Amelia Steward, mother, 10 Foundry Yard, Suffolk, England
Ø Previous occupation
given as Labourer
Ø No previous military
experience given
Ø Religion given as
Church of England
Ø Assigned to 16
Platoon, “H” Company
o This was later
reorganized into 16 Platoon, “D” Company
The battalion trained in the
Kingston area through the winter with headquarters in the Kingston Armouries
On attestation, he stated his
birth year as 1895 instead of his actual birth year of 1898
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May 6, 1915
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Embarked the RMS Metagama in
Montreal, Quebec
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May 15, 1915
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Disembarked in Devonport,
England and the battalion proceeded to the West Sandling Camp, near Hythe,
Kent to continue training
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Sep 14, 1915
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Embarked the St. Seiriol in
Folkestone
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Sep 15, 1915
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Disembarked in Boulogne,
France and the battalion proceeded to St. Omer
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Nov 29, 1915
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Proceeded to the Bombing School
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Apr 6, 1916
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Admitted to the No. 1 Northern
Field Ambulance then transferred to the No. 4 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance)
with a diagnosis that reads Furunculosis (Boils) of the buttocks
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Apr 7, 1916
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Transferred to the No. 10 CCS
(Casualty Clearing Station) then transferred the same day to the Australian
Hospital in Wimereux, France for treatment
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Apr 20, 1916
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Transferred to the No. 8 Stationary
Hospital to continue his recovery with the No. 5 Convalescent Depot
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May 7, 1916
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Discharged from hospital care
and proceeded to the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) in the Rouelles Camp, Havre,
France
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May 8, 1916
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Rejoined the 21st
Battalion resting in the “B” Camp near La Clytte, Belgium
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Jun 14, 1916
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While the battalion was in the
front line trenches numbers 33 to 38 near Verbrande Molen, Belgium on the
Ypres Salient, the Germans unleashed an artillery and trench mortar
attack. Private Frank Steward was instantly
killed by one of the trench mortars and buried later in the day in the Bedford
House Cemetery, south of Ypres, Belgium.
His great nephew, Max Rowland,
shown visiting his grave to pay respects for the family.
Following the war, the 1914-15
Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal, Plaque (Dead Man’s Penny), Scroll and
Memorial Cross were sent to his mother, Mrs. Amelia Steward, 10 Foundry Yard,
Lavenham, Suffolk, England
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Frank
Steward is Honoured on a plaque in the St. Peter and St. Paul Church
in his home town of Lavenham, Suffolk, England
He is
also remembered on the Memorial Wall in Kingston, Ontario
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