THE PRO PATRIA PROJECT

STEWART Hugh

6/982, Lieutenant Colonel, 2nd Battalion Canterbury Regiment, WW1

CITATION

Companion of the Most Distinguished Order of St Michael and St George (CMG)

Gazetted 3 June 1919, p6793

This Officer Commanded his Battalion with great distinction during the Autumn Advance of 1918.  He also commanded a Brigade temporarily during operations, in an entirely satisfactory manner.  In addition to his other duties, he has successfully organised, and later, superinteded the educational system in force in the New Zealand Expeditionary Force.

Distinguished Service Order

Gazetted 4 June 1917, p5476

Operation at Somme, Flers, Goose Alley, Drop Alley, Grid Trenches- 21st September to 2nd October 1916.  On the night of 20th/21st September Lieutenant Colonel Stewart planned and carried out with his Battalion a most successful attack on Goose Alley and Drop Alley, which was captured with very little loss.  But substantially during the night the enemy made four desperate counter attacks which after very hard fighting were eventually driven back, and the front trenches regained, it was entirely owing to Lieutenant Colonel Stewart  and Captain Starnes's determined action that the enemy were finally driven off.  Again on the 1st October, in the taking of the Grid Trench and Grid Support Trenches Lieutenant Colonel Stewart  displayed great skill in the way he handled his Battalion.  In connection with the fighting on the 20th/21st September, as described above, the following telegrams were received by the GOC New Zealand Dision from the GOC 4th Army (General Sir Henry Rawlinson) and the Commander of the 'V' Corps, "Please congratulate the New Zealand Division from me on their excellent work at Flers and Drop Alley.  They deserve every credit for their gallantry and perserverance.  The Corps Commander congratulates General Sir A.H Russell and the New Zealand division on the success gained last night [20th/21st inst] by the 2nd Canterbury Regiment.  The repeated attacks renewed and delivered with such energy and determination speak highly of the fine fighting qualities displayed by all ranks.  The Corps Commander particularly desires to express to Lieutenant Colonel Stewart his admiration of his gallant and courageous leading."

Bar to the Distinguished Service Order

Gazetted 1 January 1918, p17

Operations at Messines, 7th June 1917.  As Commanding Officer of the 2nd Battalion, Canterbury Regiment, Lieutenant Colonel Stewart has shown the highest qualities of organisation, leadership and power of command during the past six months.  Prepatatory to the Messines Offensive he spent weeks in training and preparing his Battalion for this particular operation.  His Battalion was entrusted with the taking of the final objective allotted to this Brigade and it was undoubtedly owing to the arrangements he made that the success was so complete.  Lieutenant Colonel Stewart possesses to a marked degree the offensive spirit and inspires all ranks under him with the same keenness.  During the battle itself on the morning of the 7th June he went forward at great personal risk under a heavy artillery barage, showing an utter disregard of danger to superintend the advance of his forward companies to the final objective; and it was at this moment when he was about to establish his Battalion Headquarters on the ridge, that he was severely wounded in 8 places by an enemy shell.  I consider him worthy of special mention.

Military Cross

Gazetted 14 January 1916, p591

For distinguished service in the field, (Gallipoli),

Mention in Despatches

Gazetted 28 January 1916, p1210

Mentioned in connection with the operations described in General Ian Hamilton's despatch of 11 December 1915.

Mention in Despatches

Gazetted 4 January 1917, p261

Switch Line, south east of High Wood, 15th, 16th, 17th and 18th September 1916.  As Officer Commanding the 2nd Canterbury Battalion holding the Switch Line for four consecutive days under heavy shellfire, Lieutenant Colonel Stewart set an example of the highest soldierly qualities to all ranks and displayed great skill in the manner in which he dealt with the situation.  Goose Alley and Drop Alley, night of 20th/21st September 1916.  Again on the night of 20th September Lieutenant Colonel Stewart planned and carried out with his Battalion a most successful attack on Goose Alley and Drop Alley was captured with very little loss.  Three times during the night as a result of counter-attacks the trenches were lost and won.  Through the energy and determination of Lieutenant Colonel Stewart and Captain Starnes the enemy was finally driven off with heavy loss.

Mention in Despatches

Gazetted 1 June 1917, p5429

For distinguished and gallant service and devotion to duty.  Field Marshall D. Haig, Commander-iin-Chief of the British Armies in France, despatch of 9 April 1917.

Mention in Despatches

Gazetted 28 December 1917, p13575

Mentioned in Field Marshall D. Haig's despatch of 7 Novemver 1917 for distinguished and galllant service and devotion to duty during the period 26th February to midnight 20/21st September 1917.

Mention in Despatches

Gazetted 11 July 1919

For distinguished and gallant service and devotion to duty during the period 16th September 1918 to 15th March 1919.

Croix de Guerre with Palm (France)

Gazetted 24 February 1916, p2068

For distinguished service rendered during the course of the campaign. (Gallipoli)

KNOWN AWARDS

Companion of the Most Distinguished Order of St Michael and St George (CMG)

Distinguished Service Order and bar

Military Cross

1914-15 Star

British War Medal

Victory Medal

Mention in Despatches (5)

New Zealand Territorial Service medal

New Zealand Service Medal

Croix de Guerre with Palm (France)

NOTES

Born 1 September 1884, Premnay, Scotland

Died 22 September 1934 At Sea on board 'Akaroa'

Buried At Sea