Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

REV D MACRAE STEWART

The Rev. D Macrae Stewart died in a private hospital yesterday afternoon. His death, in his 71st year, marks the passing of one of the most distinguished and deeply loved ministers of the Presbyterian Church of Victoria. It occurred on the eve of the 30th anniversary of his ministry at the Malvern Presbyterian Church. As moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Victoria, and as a senior military chaplain with a distinguished war record, Mr. Stewart received some recognition of his qualities as a preacher and a man, but probably the greatest depth of admiration and respect paid to his had its origin in the love which was inspired by his strong personality and deep understanding of human nature, qualities which distinguished his regular ministry in the Church.

Mr. Stewart was born in 1862 at Pittlochry, Perthshire, Scotland. He was the son of the minister of the United Free Church of Scotland at Pittlochry, and he became a licentiate of that Church. After graduating at New College, Edinburgh, he came to Australia in 1890 with his mother, brothers, and sisters. An uncle, the Rev. J.F. Macrae, had been called to the ministry of the Toorak Presbyterian Church, and for several weeks before his arrival Mr. Stewart preached in that church. Early in 1891 he received a call to the Ascotvale Presbyterian Church, where he remained for 12 years. In 1903 he received a unanimous call to accept the charge of the Malvern Presbyterian Church, where he fulfilled the remainder of his active ministry.

In April 1915, he accepted a commission as chaplain to the 21st Battalion, 6th Infantry Brigade, Australian Imperial Force, and he saw active service on Gallipoli Peninsula. He was on bard the transport Southland when the vessel was sunk by the German submarine. Form Gallipoli he went to France with the Australian troops, and after service there he returned to Australia in September 1916. He was mentioned in despatches for conspicuous service with the AIF. At the time of his death Mr. Stewart was senior military chaplain of the Presbyterian Church of Victoria.

He wrote several books, the best known of which are 'The Souter's Lamp and Other Stories', 'Growth in 50 Years - The Jubilee History of the Presbyterian Church in Victoria' and 'The Last LIkeness' and 'Other Addresses to Children'.

Mr. Stewart married Miss Jessie MacGregor, a daughter of the late Mr. Duncan MacGregor, of Glengyle and Durham Downs, Queensland in 1894. Mrs. Stewart died in a private hospital on Thursday without being aware of the serious nature of her husband's illness, which was such that he was not informed of Mrs. Stewart's death. Mr. Stewart's eldest sister is the widow of the late Sir Arthur Thomson, a noted scientist, who died in England recently.

The Argus Wednesday 15 March 1933 page 6