Alexander Grant "Sandy" Stuart


Mar 4, 1899

Born in Prince Edward County, Ontario to Joseph Graham and Margaret (nee McPherson) Stuart

 

Jan 8, 1916

Attested into the 155th Battalion CEF in Wellington, Ontario

Ø  Number 636251

Ø  Next of kin given as Joseph Stuart, father, Wellington, Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as Labourer

Ø  No previous military experience given

Ø  Religion given as Church of England

Ø  Assigned to “C” Company

 
Even though he had not lied about his age, his medical record indicates his “apparent age 18”, despite not yet reaching the age of 17.

 
The battalion trained in the Kingston, Ontario area

 

Aug 31, 1916

Transferred to the Special Service Company in Kingston.  This done presumably because he was under age

 

Oct 12, 1916

Transferred back to the 155th Battalion in Kingston.

 

Oct 17, 1916

Embarked the SS Northland in Halifax, Nova Scotia

 

 

Oct 28, 1916

Disembarked in Liverpool, England and the battalion proceeded to Bramshott

 

Dec 8, 1916

Transferred to the 154th Battalion in Bramshott

 

Jan 31, 1917

Transferred to the newly formed 6th Reserve Battalion in East Sandling.  Shortly after the formation of the battalion, it was moved to Seaford to train reinforcements for the front

 

May 3, 1917

Transferred to the 21st Battalion just 2 months after his 18th Birthday

 

May 4, 1917

Arrived at the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) in the Rouelles Camp, Havre, France as part of a draft of 344 reinforcements from England and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21st Battalion

 

May 31, 1917

After leaving the base depot, Private Stuart joined the 21st Battalion at the front south of Arras, France

 

Aug 15, 1917

As part of the Canadian Corps, the 21st Battalion attacked and captured Hill 70, near Lens, France.  The fighting was severe and involved hand to hand combat at times.  Following the capture, the Germans mounted several counter attacks with storm troopers and the overall the losses were very heavy.  Private Alexander Grant Stuart was one of those killed in action.  He was later buried in the Aix-Noulette Military Cemetery Extension, Aix-Noulette, France

 

 
Following the war, the British War Medal, Victory Medal and Memorial Cross were sent to his mother, Mrs. Margaret Stuart, Wellington, Ontario

 
The Plaque (Dead Man’s Penny) and Scroll were sent to his father, Joseph Stuart, at the same address

 

Note the date the letter below was read, 1 day after his death

 

 

Alexander Grant Stuart is remembered on the Picton, Ontario War Memorial

 

 

 



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