CONCERT AND FAREWELL AT PUKEHIKI.
On Tuesday last a very successful concert in aid of the Belgian Relief Fund was held in the Pukehiki Hall, the contributors being Dunedin performers. Mr James Gair, the chairman, outlined the purpose of the concert, which was the third of a series to be held this year for patriotic work. The McLean orchestra opened the proceedings, and the other performers were Mrs Green and Misses Mazengarb, L. James, and Messrs Green, Perkins, and Telfer (songs), Messrs F. McLean (cornet solos), H. McDonald (step dance), and Miss Mazongarb (monologues). Mr C. A. Maxtin was the accompanist. During the interval Mr Gair, on behalf of the residents, called upon Messrs Carl Robertson and W. A. Stuart, M.Sc., two young men who had volunteered for active service, to accept suitable gifts from their many friends and well-wishers from the Peninsula. Mr Gair specially referred to Mr Robertson's mother, as she was the mother of five sons, four of whom had volunteered, and of whom one, Trooper Hector Robertson, had made the most glorious sacrifice. The chairman spoke highly of the recipients, and stated that he and the district were confident that Messrs Robertson and Stuart would take their places with the best on the field of battle, and he trusted they would be fortunate enough to return safely to their native place after having nobly served their country in time of need. Gifts were also given to Messrs Green, Perkins, and Martin, three performers who have also volunteered, and have done yeoman service to the district in organising various programmes. Messrs Robertson and Green returned thanks on behalf of the recipients. After supper dancing commenced to music supplied by Miss Nyhon. -Otago Daily Times, 19/5/1916.
LIEUTENANT STUART
Letters received from the front state that William A. Stuart, son of Mr J. B. Stuart, of Highcliff, Otago Peninsula, who left with the Seventeenth Reinforcements, was some months ago recommended for a commission, and sent to Sling camp, England. After 20 days' severe training and study, he passed the required test with distinction. Lieutenant Stuart is a graduate of Otago University, where, in 1913, he received the degree of M.Sc., with honours. His first appointment was' demonstrator in science at Victoria College, Wellington, but previous to enlisting he was a science master at the Otago Boys' High School. -Otago Daily Times, 3/8/1917.
William Stuart was present at the tragic Bellevue Spur attack on October 12 and, as the following shows from the Otagos' Official History, not the kind of officer who stayed behind the line.
After consultation with the remaining officers of Otago and Canterbury on the spot, the unanimous opinion expressed was that it was impossible to gain the crest of Bellevue under existing conditions, and that any attempt to renew the attack would be suicidal. There were now so few effectives left that a fresh attack, launched in broad daylight, could not have progressed. Individual effort was the utmost that could be expected. The only possible gap was by a road on the right, and this was covered by machine gun fire from either flank. Lieut.-Colonel Smith succeeded in getting back to Battalion Headquarters at Waterloo Farm, and there conferred with Lieut.-Colonel Charters (1st Battalion of Otago) and Lieut.-Colonel Mead (2nd Battalion of Canterbury). These two Commanders shared his opinion, and messages were sent forward by runners instructing the advanced elements to dig in where they were. Advice to this effect was despatched to 2nd Brigade Headquarters, to the 3rd (Rifle) Brigade, and the 10th Australian Brigade. Lieut.-Colonel Charters, with his Intelligence Officer, 2nd-Lieut. W. A. Stuart, had attempted to get forward to view the situation for himself, but was driven back by machine gun and sniping fire, his Intelligence Officer being wounded. The difficulties of maintaining communications were greatly accentuated by the large number of casualties among runners.
William's wound is described in his Army record as "GSW rt. knee severe."
The news of the death at the front of Lieutenant William A. Stuart, son of Mr and Mrs John B. Stuart, High cliff, Otago Peninsula, will have been received with regret by his many friends. Lieutenant Stuart was educated at the Highcliff Public School, Boys' High School, Dunedin, and Otago University. At each of these institutions he gained sufficient scholarships to educate himself without assistance from his parents. After receiving his BSc. degree, he was appointed demonstrator at Victoria College, Wellington, but previous to enlisting was science master at Otago Boys' High School. He left with the 17th Reinforcements, but while in France was promoted to lieutenant. His death removes another brilliant student, and the loss is the more to be deplored from the fact of the promise which Lieutenant Stuart gave of his becoming a distinguished student of research. -Otago Daily Times, 31/8/1918.
The Otagos' Official History has little to say about the day that William Stuart died, except to report that there was "intense artillery activity." It also mentions that "Active patrolling was continued over the front, and the closest contact with the enemy maintained."
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