Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

From Ballarat & District in the Great War

War complicates things. It changes people, sometimes subtly, often totally. Decisions that would not otherwise be made can become possibilities, necessities. In the heat of battle a choice was made in an instant because life and death could hang on a moment. Those who survived the battlefield often came back to a home that no longer provided the same comfort and reassurance. Settling was never easy; so often the braver the soldier, the harder life without war became.

When Ingles Peter Stewart was born at Buninyong on 9 September 1892, his parents, Peter Inglis Stewart and Margaret Black, had already seen the arrival of nine children. He was their youngest son and two further daughters would complete the family.

Whilst Margaret Black had been born in Geelong, her family had moved to the Enfield district when she was a child. Peter Stewart, on the other hand, was born at Warrenheip. His father purchased a property in Learmonth Street, Buninyong soon after Peter’s birth, and the family quickly became well-known members of the community through connections to the Highland Society and the local council.

As a boy, Inglis was enrolled at the Buninyong State School, where his older siblings had also received their schooling. Of the many influences on his early life, his Scottish ancestry was particularly strong – with three Scots grandparents it was unavoidable.
Choosing to pursue a life on the land, Peter Stewart moved his family to Trafalgar in Gippsland around 1906. He enjoyed a measure of success producing fine potato crops in the area. After a few short years, they moved to a new property, Carrum House, at Carrum Downs, in early 1911.

Having completed his State School education, Ingles had embarked on a career as a carpenter and builder. He also joined the militia – first with the original 6th Infantry Regiment, and then continuing on with the unit when it was reformed into the 56th Infantry Battalion – the “Yarra Borderers”. He qualified as a second-lieutenant on 1 September 1914.

A particularly significant moment in Ingles’ life occurred in 1912, when he joined the order of the Sons of Temperance Benefit Society. He became a member of the South Melbourne branch. Members were required to sign a Total Abstinence pledge, “I hereby pledge myself that I will not make, buy, sell, or use a beverage, any spiritous or malt liquors, wine or cider.” This pledge would be shattered by his war service.

News of the Landing at Gallipoli was fresh in the minds of all Australians when Ingles Stewart made an application for a commission in the Australian Imperial Force on 29 April 1915.

Although he had no educational qualifications, his military experience of over four years and commissioned rank stood him in good stead. He was also an impressive physical specimen – standing 5-feet 10-inches tall and weighing 11-stone 6-pounds. As a horseman, he was also quite accomplished – in fact, he was perfect officer material.

Having successfully been accepted into the AIF, Ingles immediately took another major life step – he married Lillian May Harvey, the fifth daughter of Richard and Grace Harvey of “Fernleigh” in Long Gully, Bendigo. Reverend Alexander McCarlie conducted the service at the Presbyterian Manse in Dorcas Street, South Melbourne, on 29 April 1915.

He and Lily had just a week together before he was scheduled to embark. Before leaving, Ingles named Lily as his legal next-of-kin and made out an allotment for her maintenance.

On the 8 May 1915, Ingles sailed from Melbourne onboard HMAT Ulysses; he was in command of C Company of the 22nd Infantry Battalion. The trip via Colombo and Aden took five weeks – longer than usual – and Ingles finally arrived in the Egyptian port of Alexandria on 12 June 1915.

Before sailing for Gallipoli, Ingles was promoted to lieutenant. He landed at ANZAC Cove at 6:30am on 5 September.

When the firing of an amonal mine in a tunnel opposite Johnson’s Jolly failed to break through into the Turkish tunnels on 29 October, the space filled with highly poisonous gas. Several men were overcome. Ingles Stewart led a party of volunteers into the tunnel and assisted in bringing up the last bodies from the shaft. Five men, including two from the 22nd, were killed and a significant number were severely gassed. The last of the rescue party to leave the shaft was Ingles Stewart, and he was suffering from the effects of asphyxiation. He was taken to the 6th Field Ambulance for treatment, but was able to return to duty two days later.

For his incredible and selfless bravery, Ingles was awarded the Military Cross.

The 22nd Battalion was part of the final evacuation of Gallipoli, and Ingles Stewart finally left ANZAC on 19 December; he arrived at Mudros the following day. They spent Christmas 1915 on Lemnos and did not arrive back in Egypt until 7 January 1916.

Preparing for the next stage of their campaign, the 22nd Battalion embarked from Alexandria on 19 March onboard the Llandovery Castle. The voyage to Marseilles took five days and passed without incident.
Ingles was carrying out routine duties near Armentieres on 10 April, when word was received that he had been mentioned in General Charles Monro’s Despatches ‘for distinguished and gallant services rendered in the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force.’ On 3 June the award of the Military Cross was confirmed.

The unit was in the firing line at Bois-Grenier on 27 June, when Ingles was named as adjutant to the 22nd Battalion.

When Captain Bert Curnow, a 23 year-old records clerk from Bendigo, was killed in action at Pozieres Ridge on 5 August, Ingles was the logical choice as replacement. He was promoted to the rank of captain on 12 August when the 22nd had been relieved to billets at Berteaucourt. His work in the field had continued to garner praise from his senior officers. A second Mention in Despatches was duly awarded.

‘…For sterling good work as Adjutant of the Battalion since landing in France, 26th March, 1916. In the absence of messengers during the action at Pozieres, he carried orders to the front line under heavy fire, watched over the execution of his orders and returned with accurate and full reports. He has proved himself an officer of sound judgement, reliable and energetic, and his conduct throughout has been most gallant. He remained at duty on recovering consciousness after being lifted off his feet by a HE [high explosive] shell at Pozieres…’

Ingles spent Christmas 1916 in hospital. Conditions in the trenches had reached a miserable low, with temperatures plummeting and the ground turning to unimaginable slush. Many otherwise healthy young men began to succumb to new conditions like trench feet and trench fever – or pyrexia of unknown origin, as it was often broadly referred to. The one common factor, of course, was an elevated temperature – it could be caused by virus or bacteria, both of which were rife in the trenches.

After he was admitted to the 15th Australian Field Ambulance, Ingles soon responded to treatment and he was able to rejoin the 22nd on 5 January 1917.
Ingles fought through action at Bapaume in March and then the Second Battle of Bullecourt from 3 to 7 May, when the 22nd was badly knocked about.

In the middle of summer, Ingles was sent to Paris on leave. It seems he suffered a minor accident of some sort because he was admitted to the 2nd Red Cross Hospital in Rouen suffering from bruising to his right foot – unfortunately, nothing was recorded about how it occurred. Although it was regarded as only a slight injury, he did not return to his unit until the 18 August.

The 22nd Battalion played a significant role during the important battles of Third Ypres. They were at the forefront of the Battle of Broodseinde Ridge on 4 October. Prior to the attack, during the night of 3/4 October, Ingles Stewart supervised the dangerous task of laying out the “jumping off tape” and the necessary forming up of the assaulting waves of troops.

In the morning, the men prepared themselves for their barrage to start at “zero hour” – 6am. The objective was the red protective line, which had successfully been taken and was being consolidated by 7:23am. Ingles Stewart, accompanied by an non-commissioned officer, then set about dealing with a corner near Zillebeke Lake that had not been ‘completely mopped up.’ The Germans in the post were still active, sniping across the Australian lines. Ingles, armed just with a revolver, dealt with the snipers and captured 30 German prisoners and three machine-guns, which he then brought back to the line being held by the 22nd Battalion.

On the 9 October, at Broodseinde, Ingles once again supervised the battalion as it formed up for the attack. Throughout the entire operation he proved himself to be ‘tireless, cheerful and alert.’ The success of the operations entrusted to the 22nd Battalion were said to have been largely due to his ‘careful and thorough work.’

For his bravery, Ingles was recommended for a Bar to his Military Cross, which was later presented to him by King George V.

In early February 1918, Ingles was attached to Headquarters of the 6th Infantry Brigade as an acting staff captain. He was only at this posting for a month before returning to the 22nd on 3 March.

The battalion was near Herleville Wood on 16 August, when Ingles was wounded in action for a second time. He was evacuated to the 10th British Red Cross Hospital in Le Tréport suffering from multiple gunshot wounds to his left arm, left chest and left knee. The wounds were assessed as slight, but it nevertheless resulted in Ingles being invalided to the United Kingdom. He was admitted to the 3rd London General Hospital, Wandsworth, on 26 August.
For Ingles, the war was over.

On 21 January 1919, Ingles was granted leave until his return to Australia was organised. He eventually embarked on 16 March onboard the transport Czaritza. Stopping in Alexandria on 7 April, he was transhipped to the Dunluce Castle. He finally arrived back in Melbourne on 15 May.

Ingles and Lily had apparently ‘corresponded on the best of terms whilst he was away on active service.’ But, ultimately they were beginning their marriage as strangers. And Ingles was no longer the man who had sailed from Australian in 1915.

Initially, they lived at 25 Elm Street in Windsor; but they moved to 16 Moore Street, Brighton shortly after and Ingles initially returned to working as a carpenter.
Whilst he was in receipt of a military pension due to having been wounded, Ingles began a soft soap business and the combined income provided a comfortable living for he and Lily. However, the business soon became unprofitable.

On 13 November 1920, Ingles joined the Victorian Police Force and was appointed to plain clothes duty. He remained in that position until the Police Strike of 1923 – he resigned 1 November, the day after the strike began.

From this time, Ingles seemed to struggle with the path his life was taking. Lily complained of his excessive drinking and late hours and their relationship began to sour. Evidently his war service had put an end to his membership with the Sons of Temperance – for many in the frontline, alcohol was a means to surviving the horror.

When Ingles then joined the Ex-Police Association and was elected treasurer, Lily said his drinking increased and he often stayed out all night – making excuses that he was playing cards to earn ‘a few extra pounds.’

After leaving the association, he became a motorcar salesman. His drinking continued and Lily began to suspect he was seeing other women. The marriage was in dire trouble, but Lily wanted to do anything to make it work.

He eventually secured a position as a gripman with the Melbourne and Metropolitan Tramway Board. But his personal live continued to deteriorate.

They separated briefly when Lily went to New Zealand for her health. During that time, Ingles left the Tramway Board and joined the Collingwood Council as a motor driver.

As time passed, the couple moved several times, never settling anywhere for very long. His drinking continued and when Lily confronted him about his behaviour he was alleged to have replied, “I am tired of being married and want to be free again.”
Lily had come to believe he was trying to force her to leave him, but she continued to try and maintain the marriage. Money also became an issue as the relationship became more volatile.

On 13 February 1929, when they were living in The Avenue in East St Kilda, he left for a military camp at Seymour. At that point he informed Lily he would not be returning. She apparently wrote letters to him asking him to come back, but received no reply.
It seems that Ingles then took to being called Patrick, or Paddy Stewart, possibly to avoid anyone being able to track him down.

At the Supreme Court of Victoria, on 8 September 1932, Lily Stewart was granted a divorce on the grounds of desertion. There were no children.
By this time, Ingles was living in Trafalgar and working for the State Electricity Commission as a linesman. On 9 October 1932, he’d been called out during heavy rain to repair a fault in the overhead wire in the main street of Warragul. He and Joseph Baker, also from Trafalgar, were preparing to work on the line – Ingles placed an extension ladder against the power pole. When the ladder slipped and fell against the line, he took the full force of 22,000 volts. The shock threw his workmate 12-yards from the pole. When he was able to get to his feet, he immediately went for medical assistance. Doctor Conrad Ley attempted to resuscitate the stricken man – he worked for an hour and a half, but eventually had to admit ‘the spark of life had been extinguished.’
Ingles Stewart was buried at the Fawkner Cemetery on 11 October.

An inquest into the electrocution was held on 21 October 1932.
‘…It was evident that the ladder had been extended higher by 4ft. than was necessary for the work to be performed. That was why the ladder touched the tubular conductor. As the ladder was thoroughly wet the flow of electricity would be more pronounced than if dry conditions had prevailed. The intensity of the shock would be sufficient to cause death…’

Mr J. Cromie JP, said that he did not consider that the necessary care and control had been observed by either Stewart or Baker and declared an open finding.
Newspapers carried the story across the State.

References were made to his distinguished war record and that ‘he had been termed the ideal soldier by men in high command. In civilian life, he always stood by his comrades. With gentlemanly and broad outlook, he fitted easily into any circle. Countless friends in many parts of the State mourn their loss…’

He was survived by his fiancé, Tessie Freyne.