The Stewart Family—The Brotherhood—For King and Country

By Jean Wawryk (née Nicoll)

My grandfather Frank Stewart and two brothers Robert and Jack answered the call for King and Country when World War I was declared. Before that the Stewart family had lived in Nova Scotia, but when my grandpa’s mother passed away at a young age from TB the family moved to Dodsland, Saskatchewan, to homestead. His father, John Stewart, was left to raise five children on his own. The other children in the family were Gordon and a beloved daughter, Amy. They worked hard together developing homesteads. The boys took on extra jobs to earn a living. They were a family.

War would change all of that.

Lieutenant Robert William Stewart enlisted December 31, 1915. He was with the 42nd Battalion (Black Watch Highlanders). He died on March 25, 1917, mortally wounded while carrying a man to a place of safety. Robert was twenty-six. He is buried in Aubigny Communal Cemetery, France. Robert and his battalion were part of the battle for Vimy Ridge.

Lieutenant Jack Albert Stewart enlisted May 15, 1915. He was with the 8th Battalion (Black Devils–Winnipeg Rifles). Jack was wounded twice, recovered and sent back to the front. He was wounded a third time during the battle of Hill 70. He succumbed to his wounds six months after his last hospitalization. He is buried in Longuenesse (St. Omer) Souvenir Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France. He was twenty-three. Both brothers went in as privates. Both were promoted to the rank of lieutenants because of acts of bravery.

Courtesy of Jean Wawryk

Private Frank Desmond Stewart, my grandfather, enlisted December 21, 1916. He was eighteen years old. He was with the 249th Battalion (1st Canadian Mounted Rifles) and was wounded in the Battle of Amiens on August 10, 1918. It was the third day of the “Drive.” He was wounded in his legs and taken to a field hospital back of the lines. He was there for a month, then sent to England for an extended period of time.

Courtesy of Jean Wawryk

From Liverpool Frank was sent home on a hospital ship to Canada. He was stationed the first winter in 1918 in Whitby, Ontario, for recovery and rehabilitation. Later he was sent to Regina to be fitted with an artificial leg. Grandpa came home an amputee, right leg below the knee. He was twenty.

When he returned to Dodsland, Saskatchewan, he took over his brother’s farm and married my grandma, Barbara Shanks. They had three sons and one daughter, my mother. My parents are both from Saskatchewan. They met and married in Vancouver. They stayed and raised a family in Chilliwack.

I have very fond memories of my parents taking my siblings and me to Grandma and Grandpa’s for visits on the farm. They would come and stay with us on the West Coast on numerous occasions as well. I can remember hearing the sound of Grandpa walking on our hardwood floors. A thump and then nothing, another thump and then nothing. His peg leg. I never thought to ask any questions about the war. He never mentioned it. He was Grandpa and I loved him very much. He passed away at the age of ninety-two in 1990.

I miss him.

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