Ross Abel Stewart

Thank you to Bruce Kettles for providing the service file

 

Oct 19, 1895

Born in Rocksprings, Ontario to Widdis and Margaret (nee Bryant) Stewart

 

Nov 9, 1914

Attested into the 21st Battalion in Kingston, Ontario 

Ø      Number 59919 (temporary number 120)

Ø      Next of kin given as Widdis Stewart, father, Addison, Ontario

Ø      Previous occupation given as Bookkeeper

Ø      No previous military experience given

Ø      Religion given as Wesleyan

Ø      Assigned to “A” Company

He was still a month away from his 19th Birthday so he added a couple of months to his age by stating that he was born March 25, 1895, not his actual birth month of October.  He was reported to have been previously employed by the Grand Trunk Railway.

His brother, John Franklin Stewart, 59917, also joined the 21st Battalion on the same day.

The battalion conducted training in Kingston, with headquarters in the Kingston Armouries

On this same date he was admitted to the Kingston Hospital diagnosed with a fractured lumbar cartilage

 

Nov 28, 1914

Discharged to duty from hospital

 

May 6, 1915

Embarked the RMS Metagama in Montreal, Quebec

 

May 15, 1915

Disembarked in Devonport, England and the battalion proceeded to the West Sandling Camp to continue training

 

 

 

Sep 14, 1915

Embarked the St. Seiriol in Folkestone

 

Sep 15, 1915

Disembarked in Boulogne, France and the battalion proceeded to St. Omer

 

 

 

Dec 17, 1915

Admitted to the No. 6 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) with a sprained left ankle.  The No. 6 CFA was also the home of the Divisional Rest Station and Private Stewart was placed there for recovery

 

Dec 21, 1915

Transferred to the North Midland CCS (Casualty Clearing Station) to continue his rehabilitation

 

Dec 29, 1915

Discharged to duty from the CCS

 

Jun 5, 1916

Granted 9 days leave

 

Sep 30, 1916

While the battalion was holding a front line trench near Courcelette, Private Stewart received shrapnel wounds to his chest, face and right ear.  He was admitted to the No. 4 CFA where he was given first aid then transferred to the No. 9 CCS for treatment.

 

Oct 4, 1916

Transferred to the No. 25 General Hospital at Hardelot

 

Oct 12, 1916

Discharged from hospital to light duties and transferred to the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) in the Rouelles Camp, Havre, France and posted to “A” Company for those recovering from wounds and illness

 

Oct 20, 1916

Left the CBD to join his unit

 

Oct 22, 1916

Rejoined the 21st Battalion in billets in Bully Grenay

 

Dec 24, 1916

Attended the Divisional School for instruction

 

Jan 24, 1917

Rejoined the battalion from the Divisional School

 

Apr 10, 1917

Posted to the EORD (Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot) in England pending Officer Training

 

Apr 11, 1917

Posted to the 6th Reserve Battalion, Seaford, while waiting for officer training to begin

 

Apr 27, 1917

TOS (Taken On Strength) the EORD in preparation for training

 

May 5, 1917

On Command to the OTC (Officer Training Course) at Bexhill and he began his training

 

Jul 1, 1917

Commissioned with the rank of Lieutenant and posted to the 6th Reserve Battalion, Seaford

 

Nov 26, 1917

On Command to the School of Musketry

 

Dec 31, 1917

Graduated from the 2nd Course of Musketry with a 2nd Class qualification

 

Apr 10, 1918

Posted to the 21st Battalion

 

Apr 11, 1918

Arrived at the No. 2 CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot), Etaples, France and TOS the 21st Battalion

 

Apr 13, 1918

Joined the CC Rein C (Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp) in Calonne Ricouart

 

May 10, 1918

Left the CC Rein C to join the battalion

 

May 12, 1918

Rejoined the 21st Battalion in the Mercatel front lines and assigned to “D” Company

 

Jul 23, 1918

Appointed to the position of Lewis Gun Officer of the 21st Battalion.  Lieutenant Stewart was later reassigned as the Intelligence Officer

 

Oct 5, 1918

Granted 14 days leave

 

Oct 21, 1918

Rejoined the battalion from leave

 

Nov 15, 1918

Lieutenant Stewart was a member of the party representing the 21st Battalion in Mons, Belgium during the celebrations marking the liberation of that city

 

Nov 19, 1918

Admitted to the No. 57 CCS with a diagnosis that reads PUO (Pyrexia of Unknown Origin) which is a fever without a known cause

 

Nov 20, 1918

Transferred to the No. 14 CFA and subsequently transferred the same day to the No. 4 CCS

 

Nov 24, 1918

Transferred to the No. 20 General Hospital via the No. 5 AT (Ambulance Train).  The diagnosis was then changed to read Influenza

 

Nov 25, 1918

Transferred to the No. 20 General Hospital, Camiers

 

Dec 15, 1918

Transferred to the Michelham Convalescent Home for rest and recuperation

 

Dec 31, 1918

Lieutenant Stewart was Mentioned in Despatches which was announced in the London Gazette #31089

 

 

 

Jan 5, 1919

Discharged to duty from the convalescent home

 

Jan 29, 1919

Posted to the EORD on proceeding to England for duty

 

Jan 30, 1919

TOS the EORD

 

May 19, 1919

Admitted to the No. 9 Canadian General Hospital, Kinmel Park diagnosed with Appendicitis and surgery performed to remove his appendix

 

May 21, 1919

TOS the 6th Reserve Battalion in Seaford while in hospital

 

Jun 17, 1919

Transferred to the Canadian Red Cross Hospital, 17 North Audley St., London

 

Jun 23, 1919

Posted to the No. 3 Regimental Depot Group while in hospital

 

Jun 28, 1919

Discharged to duty from hospital and granted sick leave until July 5, 1919

 

Jul 6, 1919

Posted to “N” Wing, Witley pending return to Canada

 

Aug 13, 1919

SOS on proceeding to Canada and embarked the SS Saxonia in London

TOS MD #3 (Military District) Kingston, Ontario

 

Aug 24, 1919

Disembarked in Halifax, Nova Scotia and proceeded to Kingston, Ontario

 

Aug 26, 1919

Discharged from the CEF in Kingston

Ø      Rank on discharge Lieutenant

Ø      War Service Badge Class “A” issued (number not recorded)

Ø      Proposed residence on discharge 24 King St., East, Brockville, Ontario

Following the war the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at Richmond, Quebec

 

Jan 14, 1928

Married to Alexandra Lay Bowers in Montreal, Quebec 

He was reported as working for the Sun Life Insurance Co., Montreal, in 1933.

Awarded the Efficiency Decoration while serving with the Volunteer Guard of Canada in 1943.  He went on to attain the rank of Major.

 

Jan 2, 1965

Died in the Queen Mary Veterans Hospital, Montreal, Quebec and was buried in the National Field of Honour, Pointe Claire, Quebec


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