STUART, Robert George

Robert grew up at Easter Scanlan, Glenlivet, Ballindalloch, Banffshire in Scotland where he was born to James and Elspeth Stuart c1898. He was one of at least seven children. After coming to Australia shortly before World War 1 he was employed as a Labourer by Harding Brothers on their farm at Oakwood north of Inverell.  Robert enlisted in May 1915 and joined the 19th Battalion, A Company which sailed from Australia on HMAT Ceramic the following month.

Robert served at Gallipoli where he was wounded in October. Five months later he was sent to France where he was badly wounded on 14 November 1916.  Four days afterwards he died of a gunshot wound to his lung and thigh at the 36th Casualty Clearing Station, France.  Private Stuart is buried at Heilly Station Cemetery, Mericourt L’Abbe, France. He was just nineteen years old.  In January 1917 his Mother was granted a pension of ten shillings ($1) per fortnight.

At Inverell, Private Stuart’s name is inscribed on the town’s Honor Roll.