STEWART, Sydney William (1922-2015)
STEWART, Sydney William (1922-2015)
Sydney William Stewart, farmer, went to Deans Marsh State School then became a day student at College from 12 February 1936 to March 1938. In 1942, during World War II, he enlisted in the RAAF and trained at Victor Harbour and Benalla where he gained his pilots ‘wings’ and was promoted to Sergeant in April 1943. He continued his training in England and was commissioned Flight Lieutenant in July 1944. Two weeks after the Allied landing in Normandy Syd flew his first operation in a Lancaster bomber, the first of many dangerous and difficult missions. He completed his operational quota in November 1944 and was transferred to Transport Command at Portsmouth, Eng.
After returning to Australia in 1946 he farmed sheep and cattle at ‘Yan Yan Gurt’. An enthusiastic glider he became a member of the Ararat Soaring Club. He was President of Colac Legacy, President and Secretary of the Birregurra RSL, an RSL Life Member, Group Communications Officer with Winchelsea CFA and an active CFA volunteer for fifty years, receiving the National Medal for Service and Bar and the Queen’s Fire Medal. His son, ‘Sandy, OGC 1968, was also educated at College.
He died, aged 92 years, on 30 January 2015.
Sydney William Stewart, farmer, went to Deans Marsh State School then became a day student at College from 12 February 1936 to March 1938. In 1942, during World War II, he enlisted in the RAAF and trained at Victor Harbour and Benalla where he gained his pilots ‘wings’ and was promoted to Sergeant in April 1943. He continued his training in England and was commissioned Flight Lieutenant in July 1944. Two weeks after the Allied landing in Normandy Syd flew his first operation in a Lancaster bomber, the first of many dangerous and difficult missions. He completed his operational quota in November 1944 and was transferred to Transport Command at Portsmouth, Eng.
After returning to Australia in 1946 he farmed sheep and cattle at ‘Yan Yan Gurt’. An enthusiastic glider he became a member of the Ararat Soaring Club. He was President of Colac Legacy, President and Secretary of the Birregurra RSL, an RSL Life Member, Group Communications Officer with Winchelsea CFA and an active CFA volunteer for fifty years, receiving the National Medal for Service and Bar and the Queen’s Fire Medal. His son, ‘Sandy, OGC 1968, was also educated at College.
He died, aged 92 years, on 30 January 2015.
Source
Geelong Advertiser 2 Feb 2015. OGC 1937.