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Allan was born in the railway town of Quorn in the Flinders Ranges of South Australia to Alexander and Emily May Stewart on the 12th July 1908. His father, Alex was born in Rhynie in the mid-north of South Australia, but spent his early years in Crystal Brook, becoming a horse breaker before travelling in the far north and Queensland. Once he married Emily in 1889, he then settled on a farming property. There were nine children in the family with Allan being the fifth child and second son. His siblings included Olive, William Alexander, Vera, Pearl May, Allan, Sydney, Marjory Evelyn, Leslie Arthur and Kenneth Edward.
Allan and his siblings attended the local Quorn School where he gained his Qualifying Certificate, with all 26 of his year group being successful. A filled Town Hall celebrated the end of the year with songs and recitations before concluding with the singing of the National Anthem. Allan also served in the Junior Cadets for a year.
Post school, Alan became a trapper, moving through country regions, much as his father had done. Part of his time was spent in New South Wales, where he met Nina Effie Davidson. 24-year-old Allan and Nina married in Bathurst in 1932. The young couple settled in a nearby town of Raglan with their four children, Nina Robert, Alroy and Brian arriving in the ensuing years.
Allan’s father, Alex died aged 74 on the 2nd May ’40 at the Quorn District hospital and was buried in the Orroroo Cemetery. Just months later, with the outbreak of WWII, Allan enlisted on the 1st July ’40 at Wayville as did another Quorn friend, Clarrie Gallagher. They were allocated the numbers SX7415 and SX7417 respectively. Allan’s younger brothers, 22-year-old Kenneth enlisted in September at Quorn as S7425 in the 9/23rd Light Horse Regiment, with 24-year-old Leslie following in October as S7427 in the same Regiment. Allan’s early day of service were marred by him unfortunately being hospitalised at Kapara in October with a cut over his left eye. However, by January he was promoted to A/Corporal but soon after spent time in the Bathurst Hospital, where Nina and the children were living.
Allan eventually embarked for the Middle East in February ’41, arriving at the end of March. By the end of that year, he was transferred to the 2/48th Battalion. Unfortunately, he was involved in an expensive collision with a civilian vehicle in February ’42. To add to the distress, he was required to pay full restitution for the cost of the vehicle, with this being deducted from his pay until the cost was covered. Adding to his chagrin, he was also charged with ‘neglect to the prejudice of good order and military discipline’ - a double penalty.
Information about those serving overseas was often scant, but in July ’42 the local Quorn Mercury advised that Allan’s mother, May ‘recently heard from her son. Pte. Allan Stewart, who is recovering from a bout of sickness. She has not heard from Ken for some time.’ Two months later the news was shared that May ‘has received a cable from her son, Pte. Allan Stewart, AIF abroad, informing her that they were "all well."
Allan was finally able to leave the Middle East to return home via Melbourne. His exploits, bravery and reasons for his prestigious award were not to come to light until several years later. He was awarded a Commendation card on 23/1/43. Justifiably proud of Allan, the Quorn Mercury reported the award in April ’44 ‘Congratulations are extended to Pte. Allan B. Stewart, who has been awarded recognition by a Commendation Card for "outstanding courage and devotion to duty'' while serving as a transport driver in the Far East, and the Order of the Red Star (Soviet). Pte Stewart is a son of Mrs E. M. and the late Alex Stewart, of Quorn, and is believed to be the first soldier from this district to get the above recognition. He enlisted from Adelaide, and in the days before the war was the typical nomadic young Australian, clean and fearless, whose pursuit of adventure eventually found him with the A.I.F., handling his transport with efficiency and resourceful courage. It was on one of those sticky jobs for which the A.I. F. is famous. Pte Les. Altmann, who is home on leave, saw much of Pte Stewart while, overseas, and in expressing pleasure at his recognition, said he was an A1 cobber, one of the best of comrades.’
Following training in Queensland, Allan was sent to New Guinea in August ’43. In a letter home to his wife, Nina, he wrote thanking a Stan McGuinn of Bathurst for a cigarette lighter which was sent through the local newspaper, the National Advocate. It was particularly appreciated because of the humidity, scarcity of matches and difficulty in keeping them dry. Inevitably, Allan contracted Malaria in April ’44, but his war continued.
In October ’44 at a ceremonial parade at Divisional Headquarters Major General Wootten presented the Order of the Red Star to Private A.R. Stewart. The ‘Russian decoration was for fine service over a long period with the unit.’ Particularly joyous news was shared in February ’45 that ‘L/Cpl. Allan Stewart is visiting his mother, Mrs. E. M. Stewart, after years of distinguished service with the AIF. Gnr. K. Stewart is also spending leave with his Quorn relatives.’ Significantly less welcome news was published in the Chronicle a few months later in June with Allan having been wounded in May by an exploding bomb which caused several wounds in his right hand. Others from his battalion also wounded included SX13247 Pte. Henry A. G. Bear, Port Augusta; SX7903 Pte. Sydney L. Chenoweth. Minlaton and SX7702 L-Cpl. Charles S. Deering, Alberton from his 2/48th Battalion.
The NSW National Advocate also proudly reported the background to Allan’s award in their September ’45 edition, adding much extra detail about Allan’s service in the Middle East and again in New Guinea.
‘Lance Corporal A. K. Stewart, of 245 George Street Bathurst, has two distinctions. He is the only commissioned member of the AIF with the Russian Order of the Red Star and on Tarakan he was the intended victim of a Japanese suicide attack.
‘Mrs Stewart, who is guarding the Order for her husband said he took the award calmly. In his last letter written from Morotai where he is convalescing after being wounded at Borneo, L/Cpl. Stewart said he was overjoyed at the Jap surrender but wanted to stay on and make sure that the Japs paid “for what they did to my cobbers”. L/Cpl. Stewart has really 'had it', as they say in the Army. Few men have seen more active service. Mrs Stewart is eagerly awaiting his return but knows he will not he back until the 'job' is finished.
‘With the Order of the Red Star, two booklets were sent from Moscow. They are small vest pocket size and moroccon leather bound with the emblem of the U.S.S.R. and Russian writing emblazoned in cold lettering. The booklets are splendidly bound and printed and the quality of the paper is high class. One booklet contains 60 coupons each of 20 roubles, payable monthly beginning on April 1. 1944 (presumably in Russia). The other booklet sets out the authority for the Order, explains various types of Russian Orders for gallantry and entitles the recipient to free travel from any one station or port in the Soviet Union to any other station or port (including train travel) first class. A space is provided on the first page of the booklet for the photograph of the recipient. The Order and covering booklet and letter of notification were forwarded to Mrs. Stewart by the Minister for the Army. The Red Star Order itself is contained in a red leather box on a red velvet background. The cover is attached by silk to fold over. The container is three inches by five inches in dimensions. The star is one and a half inches from the highest point of the Star. It is a five-pointed ruby on a slightly concave surface with a silver emblem in the centre. This depicts a Red Army soldier in greatcoat with rifle and bayonet side on view. Beneath the Star is a small Order for wearing on the lapel of the coat. This is red with centre of blue-grey and red again.
‘L/Cpl. Stewart received his Order of the Red Star at Alamein. From the Supreme Presidium of the U.S.S.R. came a few decorations for awards to Allied servicemen. Brigadier. then Lt.-Col. Hammer decided L/Cpl. Stewart was the man for one of them. He had been the Colonel's personal runner through the battle that started the drive to Berlin, and he had done a great job.
‘The citation states ‘For outstanding courage, devotion to duty and great reliability while acting as a Battalion runner to the Commanding Officer. Throughout the Battle of El Alamein Pte. Stewart (he was promoted later) acted as 'C' Coy runner and was attached to his Commanding Officer. During the series of night attacks, he showed great coolness, personal courage and proved absolutely reliable. In particular during the attack by the battalion on Ring Contour 25 heavy fighting took place before the battalion reached its start line and continued until its first objective (a distance of over 3000 yards) had been gained.
“Casualties were so heavy that the fighting strength of the battalion was reduced to 41. There was no line of communication, and every radio set was destroyed by enemy fire. On several occasions during the attack, L./Col. Stewart took message to and from his Coy. Through heavy mortar and machine gun fire, showing great courage and magnificent determination. On many occasions during the fighting at Lae, Finschafen and at Stellburg he succeeded in getting orders through to his Coy. when all other methods of communication had failed. The reliability, personal courage and devotion to duty in all actions have proved invaluable and of the greatest assistance in maintaining communications with the Battalion.'
‘NARROW ESCAPE IN NEW GUINEA During the counter-attack which the enemy launched to attempt to dislodge the Australians from Sykes Feature, a Jap armed with a hand grenade leapt from the undergrowth a few yards away from L/Cpl. Stewart and made as though to throw the grenade. He rushed upon the Bathurst soldier. L/Cpl. Stewart's gun was jammed with earth, and he could not clear it. He tried to throw the Jap away from him but as he gripped, the grenade exploded. The Jap died instantly. L/Cpl. Stewart got out if it only dazed.
‘L/Cpl. Stewart enlisted in June 1940 and sailed in July ’41 for the Middle East. He trained in South Australia where his people live. He was home in Bathurst in March ‘43 and looked very well. After returning from the Middle East, he was sent to New Guinea with the 9th Division and was in the thick of things. At the present time he is at Morotai. He was wounded at Borneo in May during the landing and sent back for convalescent leave. Mrs. Stewart has not seen her husband since he was wounded. He has four small children, Nina, Robert, Alroy and Brian who are very proud of their father. L/Cpl. Stewart was an expert trapper before he enlisted. Whenever he sees the 'Advocate' and the prices for them now.'
Allan continued to experience challenges with his mobility but his fierce loyalty to his mates saw him give service to his fallen comrades through the Australian War Graves Commission Maintenance Unit in August ’45. Soon after he was promoted to Corporal. He finally left New Guinea, returning home via Brisbane in November ’45. His war was over but his memories of his mates always remained. He was able to return to his wife and four children.
The family moved to several different country areas, including Peterborough where the children attended school and played sport, including baseball and football. Nina died aged 60 on the 23rd December ’55 and was buried in the Peterborough Cemetery. Allan’s mother, Emily May died later, aged 79 on 10th May ’58 and was buried in the Quorn Cemetery with her husband.
In later years, Allan married Lucy with the two living in Orroroo. Aged 79, he died on the 12th October 1987 and was buried in the Orroroo Cemetery.
Written and researched by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133 2/48th Battalion.