Alexander Stewart DCM, MM

Rank:

Sergeant

Regimental number:

270005

Unit at enlistment:

215th Battalion

Force:

C.E.F.

Volunteered or conscripted:

Volunteered

Survived the war:

Yes

Awards or decorations:

Distinguished Conduct Medal, Military Medal

Birth country:

Scotland

Birth county:

Nairnshire

Birth city:

Croy

Address at enlistment:

45 Murray Street, Brantford, Ontario

Next of kin address:

45 Murray Street, Brantford, Ontario

Trade or calling:

Constable

Employer:

Brantford Police Department

Religious denominations:

Presbyterian

Marital status:

Married

Age at enlistment:

Gallantry medals:

Yes

Letters and documents

London Gazette: 31370
Date: June 3, 1919
Honour or Award: Distinguished Conduct Medal
Name: Alexander Stewart (270005)
Unit: 38th Battalion

Details: For gallantry and devotion to duty during operations resulting in the capture of Valenciennes and towns east of that city from 27th Oct to Nov 1918. When the company was advancing in artillery formation from St. Saulve on 2nd November it suddenly came under severe machine gun fire and a heavy enemy barrage. He moved across the entire company frontage twice and by

London Gazette: 31430
Date: July 3, 1919
Honour or Award: Military Medal
Authority: C.O. 2028 W. January 1, 1919
Name: Alexander Stewart (270005)
Unit: 38th Battalion

BX November 30, 1918

Gets the D.C.M.

Word was received yesterday by Mrs. Stewart that her husband, Private Alexander "Sandy" Stewart formerly of the local police force had been awarded, on November 9, the D.C.M. Pte. Alexander Stewart left here with the 215th Battalion, as a sergeant, and reverted to the ranks to go to France. When heard from last he was in the best of health. Details of the award for gallantry in the field have not yet been received.

BX February 4, 1918

Letter From Sandy

A letter was received this morning from Sergeant “Sandy” Stewart, formerly of the 215th stating that he had been ill recently, his ankle having played out owing to too much football. He has therefore not gone to France yet, and said that he did not expect to go for some time. His letter was dated Jan. 21, and his wife and friends were greatly relieved to hear from him, especially in view of the report last Saturday that he had become a casualty.

BX March 8, 1916

Orderly to Kitchener Enlisted

As one of its first recruits for the new 215th Battalion will have a man who for 10 months was orderly to Field Marshal Kitchener during the Sudan War. The man is question is Constable John Borthwick, who, with two of his fellow policemen, Douglas Barr and Alex Stewart, are enlisting with the 215th Battalion which will start recruiting tomorrow.

Constable Borthwick has been on the local police force for over eight years. He is a Scotchman and married. He has had three years’ service with the Grenadier Guards and two years with the West Lothian Constabulary.

Constable Barr has only been connected with the Brantford Police Force for a little over a year. He is an Irishman and married. For three years he was connected with the Territorial’s.

Before coming to Canada P.C. Barr was a well known athlete, playing for several years on the Irish International football team, touring the British Isles with them.

For nearly five years Constable Stewart has been on the local force. He is also a married man and Scotch. He has had five years’ service with the Fifeshire Constabulary.

These three policemen were given leave of absence by the police commission yesterday. They will make 10 men that have gone. All the first seven were Englishmen, and it will be seen that the present three are Scotch and Irish. The whole of the ten policemen who have gone to fight for their Motherland are married men.

BX February 2, 1918

Sergeant Alexander Stewart Reported Killed in Action

Word has been received in the city that Sergeant Alexander Stewart, former well-known member of the police force has been killed in action in France. Sergt. Stewart left here with the 215th Battalion and was later drafted to France. Particulars of his death have not yet been verified locally and the official announcement is being held back pending getting the news, as relatives of the late sergeant cannot be located at the present time. Stewart was a strapping big Scotchman and made a most efficient soldier. He was a valuable member of the police force and a most dependable man in any work to which he was assigned.

BX February 4, 1918

But A Rumor

That the word that Sergeant Alexander Stewart had been killed in action was but a rumor, is apparent on further enquiry. Mrs. Stewart received a letter from him last week; at the time of writing he has been well. No official word has been received so far as can be ascertained. The many friends of Sergeant Alexander Stewart will be much relieved to hear this news.