Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Stuart Auld 

Stuart Auld was born in 1896, in Adelaide, South Australia. His parents Mrs Ellen Howard Auld and Mr William George Auld soon moved to Edward Street, Norwood, South Australia after the birth of Stuart. This is where Stuart grew up. He had two brothers Patrick Howard being the oldest and William Douglas being the youngest of the three. After finishing school Auld became a farmer. Although not long after starting work He and his brother Patrick Howard enlisted for the first world war on 29 February 1916.

Stuart’s war journey began in April 1916 with his involvement with the 5th Pioneer Battalion, this was essentially light military combat engineers, it was organised like the infantry and located at the very forward edge of the battle area. They were used to develop and enhance protection and mobility for supported troops and to deny it to the enemy.

However, on the 3rd of December 1916, Stuart transferred to the 50th infantry battalion due to the lack of soldiers in this battalion. On the 18th of October, 1917, near Belgium, Auld was in charge of a ration party. When the pack train arrived with the rations for the front line a heavy hostile barrage fell on the ration dump and many men and animals were wounded. He stuck at his work until offloading was completed and mules were loaded for the return journey with empties. About this time the quartermaster was wounded and, with the assistance of another N.C.O. (non-commissioned officer), Auld remained at his work until everything was clear. The artillery fire was exceptionally heavy all the time. He set a splendid example of coolness and determination under very trying circumstances. Because of Stuart's act of bravery, he was awarded Croix de Guerre (B).

During the war Stuart's brother, Patrick Howard was wounded in action on the 2 April 1918, he was shot in the left buttock, he was admitted to 13th Field Ambulance, Stuart was unaware of all of this as they were in different units at the time. After returning to the front line after his recovery Patrick was awarded a military cross medal then Promoted Captain, on the 1st January 1918.

Patrick returned to Australia on the 25th of March, 1919. Stuart returned soon after on the 15th of May 1919. Both brothers shared their stories from the war. Stuart and his brother saw lots after the war and did struggle a bit after, with flashbacks and traumatising thoughts as many soldiers did. A few years after returning Stuart met his soon to be wife, Frances Barbara Goode, whom he married in 1924. They were married in 1924 and had four children: twin boys George Patrick and Stuart Anthony (born 1926) and daughers Felicity Anne and Mary Britten. Stuart died at the age of 72 on the 24th of May, 1968.

By Charlotte Curtis