8/4035 Private JOHN HAMILTON STEWART, (16/1/1885-15/9/1916). "missing since September 15th"
The weather broke fine on the morning of September 15th. Zero hour was fixed at 6.20 am., and by 6 o'clock all ranks had breakfasted and were fortified by a stout issue of rum. In order as far as possible to conceal from the enemy the hour of attack there was no increase of our artillery fire immediately before the assault was timed to commence. Shortly after 6 o'clock three distinct lines of troops of the 2nd Battalion of Otago, which in conjunction with the 2nd Battalion of Auckland was to open the New Zealand Division's attack, had formed up in front of the new Otago Trench at intervals in depth of about 50 yards, and a fourth line was in Otago Trench itself. -Official History of the Otago Infantry Regiment.
John Stewart was in the 10th Company of the Regiment's 2nd Battalion. Soon after the advance on German positions, the 10th was reduced to 36 men and was being led by a Sergeant.
The men had been told that the prolonged and intense artillery barrage directed at the enemy trenches would remove all opposition. What had gone wrong?
The German Army, with its motto "sweat saves blood" had built concrete bunkers, far enough underground to be safe from all but the heaviest artillery fire. Here the troops waited, tolerating endless hours of bombardment, some with nerves unravelling, for the moment when the shells stopped. Then it was time to dig out the entrance steps, dig out the trench as much as possible, and mount their machine guns. They did this for days, with no sign of advancing troops from the British side, until eventually they came.
John Stewart has no known grave. His remains lie where he fell. Perhaps he was hastily buried by fellow soldiers, either New Zealand, British or German. Perhaps they were scattered by shellfire. His name is on the Caterpillar Valley Memorial, Longueval, Somme France.
Mr Thos. Stewart (Awamoa) has received information that his son, Private John H. Stewart, has been missing since September 15th. He was educated at the Oamaru South School, and followed farming pursuits in the Maheno district prior to enlisting. His brother is with the 22nd Reinforcements. -Press, 24/10/1916.
THOMAS STEWART, (1877-27/12/1916). "suffering from illness"
DEATH.
STEWART — On the 27th inst., at his father's residence, Awamoa, Thomas, the dearly beloved son of Thomas and Amelia Stewart, aged 30 years. Deeply regretted.
The Funeral will leave the residence TO-MORROW (Friday), 29th inst., at 2 p.m. for the Oamaru Cemetery. Friends are invited to kindly attend.
John Moore. Undertaker, Thames street. -Oamaru Mail, 28/12/1916.
An inquest was conducted on Thursday at Awamoa by Mr Geo. Brownie, acting-coroner, and a jury, upon the body of the late Thomas Stewart, a single man who lived with his parents. For some time he had been suffering from illness and was unable to do any work, but in the temporary absence of his regular medical attendant an inquest was necessary. After hearing evidence the verdict was returned that he had died of tuberculosis of the lungs. -North Otago Times, 30/12/1916.
9/84A Private JAMES STEWART, (9/4/1890-9/12/1918). "a military funeral"
James Stewart enlisted in 1914 but was back in New Zealand in January, 1916. When the war began he was working as a draper's assistant at the Farmers Co-op in Christchurch. He was admitted to hospital in Egypt, suffering from tuberculosis. It was this which eventually killed him.
ROLL OF HONOUR.
STEWART. — On the 9th, December, 1918, at Oamaru, James Stewart, 9/84A, Main Body, and fourth youngest son of Thomas and Amelia Stewart, of Awamoa; aged 28 years. Deeply regretted.
The funeral will leave the Defence Hall TO-DAY (TUESDAY), 10th inst., at 11 a.m. for the Oamaru Cemetery. Friends and Returned Soldiers please attend.
JOHN MOORE, Funeral Director. -North Otago Times, 10/12/1918.
FUNERAL NOTICE.
THE OAMARU RETURNED SOLDIERS' ASSOCIATION (Incorporated).
All Members, Officers, Soldiers, Territorials and Senior Cadets are requested to Parade in uniform if possible, at Defence Hall, Oamaru, at 10.30 a.m. to-day, 10th inst., to pay Military Honours to the late Trooper James Stewart (Main Body). Funeral leaving Defence Hall 11 a.m.
A. G.CLARKE, Hon. Secretary. -North Otago Times, 10/12/1918.
A military funeral was this morning accorded the remains of Private James Stewart, of the Main Body of the N.Z. Expeditionary Force. The pall-hearers were returned soldiers, and returned soldiers also comprised the firing party. The "last post" was played by Bandsman May. Rev. McD. Aspland officiated at the graveside. -Oamaru Mail, 10/12/1918.
Oamaru Cemetery.
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