As we pause each year on Remembrance Day 11th November, we think about those who served our country, and remember some of those from Rosewood who went to war. They were people like us from all walks of life travelling into war zones, risking their lives for all. Here is just one man from World War II from a Rosewood family. A teacher who went to war and was able to return.
Charles Edward Stewart was born at Toowoomba on the 9th of November 1914, the son of Charles Stewart and Elizabeth McIntyre Wilkie Stewart.
His father was a mine manager in Rosewood and Charlie became a primary school teacher. Charlie or “chook “as he was known, taught at Hatton Vale State School from 1935 and was Head Teacher at Cynthia State School, located near Eidsvold, from 1937 until May 1941 when he enlisted at Monto (Army Number Q105228). He was on special military leave from the school from 17 June 1941 before being discharged from the army in November of that year. He seems to have resumed teaching briefly from 24.11.41 but it is difficult to find his exact movements. He may have been at Wilston State School for these few months, as reported in the paper (2), before leaving by the Kyogle mail train for the South to continue his studies as an observer in the R.A.A.F. His teaching pay records list him on leave from 5.5.42 to join the R.A.A.F. His service number was 425773.
Family reported that Charlie undertook his basic training at Sandgate. He had hoped to be a pilot, but unfortunately, he was colour blind and consequently became a navigator.
Charlie Stewart in flying uniform
He sailed from Brisbane on the Dutch ship “Klipfontein” arriving in San Francisco on 9 March 1943 then proceeded to Vancouver, British Colombia. He then travelled via Canadian National Railway to the east coast and his new base, RCAF, Goose Bay in Newfoundland/Labrador.
Charlie participated in the Empire Air Training Scheme (ESATS). The program was established to train Dominion airmen for aircrew in the RAF. On successful completion of their course recruits were assigned to various RAF squadrons. Charlie was posted to Coastal Command and served in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Iceland.
While on leave in New York City (3), Charlie had the opportunity to visit tourist sites such as the Empire State Building and he attended the famous Barnum and Bailey three ring circus.
Coastal Command engaged in maritime patrols hunting for German submarines. Patrols could last between 14 and 16 hours and were exhausting for the crews. To cover the “Atlantic Gap” Very Long-Range Liberators ventured deep into the North Atlantic in search of the enemy. Charlie was a member of one of these squadrons.
An RAF Coastal Command Liberator (photographer unknown)
Whilst on his first patrol in the Bay of Biscay Charlie’s Liberator aircraft was jumped by a flight of The Focke-Wulf Fw 190 fighters. Charlie said the pilot was screaming over the radio for a bearing away from the enemy. The Liberator headed out to sea at top speed vibrating and shaking until out of danger. The pursing Germans turned and headed back to France.
Charlie participated in the D Day landings on 6 June 1944 as Coastal Command searched for enemy submarines during Operation Overlord (The Normandy Landings). He told his family a story of flying to Spain the day before D-Day where they loaded the bomb bay with oranges to take back to Britain ready to celebrate. On the way back they spotted a U-boat but having only oranges on board instead of bombs, they just wiggled their wings at the U-boat.
He returned to Australia on compassionate leave as his mother was ill, she passed away in November 1945.
Queensland Times (Ipswich, Qld. : 1909 – 1954), Monday 22 October 1945, page 6
“DISTRICT NEWS MINDEN (From a Correspondent.) ROSEWOOD Airman’s Return- Warrant Officer Charles Stewart. RAAF., son of Mr. and Mrs. C. Stewart of Rosewood. returned to Australia by the Andes from overseas this week. Owing to the serious illness of his mother, who in in a private hospital in Ipswich. Warrant Officer’ Stewart disembarked at Melbourne, and flew to Archerfield on Thursday. He visited his mother on Thursday night, and later returned to Rosewood. Flight Lieutenant Arthur Evers son of Mrs H. Evers, of Rosewood. is expected to arrive in Brisbane by train on Saturday. Lt. Evers returned (from the United Kingdom by the Andes this week also.” http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article114617440
Charlie was discharged on 7 December 1945. After the war he returned to Rosewood where he taught until August 1950. He married local girl Vera May Stubbs and fathered three daughters, Jan, Anne and Susan. He was transferred to Cairns in 1950 teaching at Parramatta State School and Cairns Intermediate State School. He remained there until the early 60’s when he moved with his family to Norman Park, Brisbane. He continued to teach until his death in 1972. He attained the rank of Warrant Officer.
References
- Enlistment at Monto https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=4460950
- ROSEWOOD DISTRICT. (1942, July 24). Queensland Times (Ipswich, Qld. : 1909 – 1954), p. 6 (DAILY.). Retrieved November 5, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article113972144
- AIRMEN IN NEW YORK. (1944, December 20). Cairns Post (Qld. : 1909 – 1954), p. 3. Retrieved November 5, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article42441248
Others from Rosewood who served in WWII
“Gifts for Servicemen- Presentation wallets, with monetary enclosures, for 20 men from the Rosewood district who are serving with the A.I.F. and the, R.AA.F. were handed to their near relatives or representatives at a social function conducted by the Rosewood Patriotic Fund Committee on Friday night. The function, which was held in the Farmers’ Hall was large attended. Mr H. M. A. Grant (Chairman of the Patriotic Committee) presided. With the exception of Pte. V. Kerle (a returned member of the AI.F.) who was present, all the servicemen to whom presentations were to be made were with their units. Their relatives were guests of the committee and were met on arrival by the wives of members of the’ committee and escorted to a reserved table at the front of the singe.
The Chairman of the Patriotic Fund Committee paying a tribute of honour to the Rosewood men serving with the forces said several still were to receive wallets, and they would be recognised later. He referred to a minute recorded on the books of the committee in the early stages of the war, to the effect that presentation should he made to distinct members of the A.I.F. Since then, the militia had been to battle and the question of their recognition by the committee was now under consideration.
At the Chairman’s invitation. Mr. A. W. Johnson, a member of the first A.I.F. presented wallets to Pte. Kerle and relatives of the absent soldiers. Wallets for the following were presented – Sergeant Frank Baills, Warrant Officer George Freeman. Privates Colin and Graham Dutney. Sergeant Selwyn Freeman. Sergeant William Blackmore. Sapper Len. Ponting. Sergeant Pat Johnson. Sergeant Bob Sellars, L.A.C. Mervyn Connolly. Lieut. Jim Loveday. Pie. Hector Freeman. Cpl. Roy Gunthorpe. Ptes. Len. and George Evans. Ray and Jim O’Reilly. Victor Kerle. Warrant Officer Jim Carmody, LA.C. Jim Brown. Pilot Officer Arthur Evers. Sergeant Observer Charles E. Stewart. LA.C. Fred. Lacey. L.A.C. Ray Gunthorpe. Sergeant Archie Stephan. P’e. Bill Freeman, LA.C. Jim Jacobs, and LA.C. Lloyd Dutney. Mr. F. Lacey thanked the committee for honouring the men. He was supported by Mr. J. W. Evans. Dancing was enjoyed to music by Mrs. T. Price (piano), and Messrs. C. Freeman and Mariner (cornets). Mr. Mariner played piano extras. Mr. N. Hesse was M.C. “The Acting Secretary of the Patriotic Fund Committee is Mr. A. Capern.”
ROSEWOOD DISTRICT (1943, May 4). Queensland Times (Ipswich, Qld. : 1909 – 1954), p. 4 (DAILY). Retrieved November 7, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article113999751
Story submitted by Greg Stubbs, edited by Jenny Stubbs.
Great story !!!!