Frank Stewart

Frank Stewart (Service No. 3860) was born in Wallaga Lake and served as an Australian soldier with the 47th Australian Infantry Battalion of the Australian Imperial Force during the First World War. He enlisted as a Private and embarked from Sydney aboard HMAS Suffolk A23, as part of the 15th Infantry Battalion reinforcement roll.

The 47th Battalion was formed in early 1916 as part of the expansion of the AIF and saw extensive service on the Western Front in major battles such as Pozieres, Bullecourt, Messines and Passchendaele. His service with this unit places him within this larger story of Australian soldiers in the great conflict.

According to the nominal roll held by the Australian War Memorial, Stewart’s fate is recorded as “Returned to Australia”. This means he survived his overseas service and made his way home after the war.While many individual details of his pre war life and post war years are not readily available in the public record, Stewart’s contribution is emblematic of the generation of Australians who volunteered for service, endured the hardships of the Western Front and returned home to civilian life. The records of his service, his number, unit and embarkation preserve his place in the collective memory of Australia’s wartime experience. He is mentioned in dispatches on the 19th of January 1919. An honour given by a senior commander for acts of gallantry or distinguished service.

Frank Stewart is remembered as an Aboriginal soldier who gave his service in the ranks of the 47th battalion. He fought courageously on the notorious Western Front and helped shape our national history.