Stewart says it was an experience he never expected to have. It was the opportunity to join with other New Zealanders and Australians to go back for this remembrance anniversary to the battlefields and cemeteries where so many of their war time colleagues served and lost their lives and are buried in the New Zealand, Australian and Commonwealth cemeteries. More than 1100 New Zealanders are buried in the El Alamein Commonwealth War Cemetery. As the eldest in the group of New Zealanders returning for the anniversary, Stewart was asked to lay a wreath on behalf of his fellow travellers.
After training with the Royal New Zealand Air Force, he was posted overseas and joined up with the RAF. He served with distinction as a pilot and was later awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross during operations in Malta.
He has often told the story about having to ditch in the sea during the war as a result of engine failure. Stewart and his squadron were trained for coastal command and search missions and to locate enemy shipping, including U boats. With an engine failure an hour out from Sicily, the crew sent out a mayday call, and Stewart managed to put the Wellington down on a good sea. The tail touched the water and then the aircraft nose-dived and all went quiet. “I thought at first, this is heaven. My co-pilot and I got up out of the aircraft and stepped onto a life raft without even getting wet”. They were fortunately rescued by an allied ship and within a few days were back on active service.
Stewart has been a wonderful mentor and friend in Rotary over many years, not only in his own club, the Rotary Club of Wanganui, but to all his close colleagues and past Governors in District 9940.
He says his guide in life has always been a belief “in quietness and trust is your strength” (Isiah 30:15). He has held to that belief throughout his extensive business career and in his years of community service.
Stewart and his late wife Alison have been true friends in Rotary.
From PDG David Watt, RDU Board Director
