Australian Army Museum of Western Australia > Records

World War 1, South West Asia, Gaza / Palestine, Deir El Belah, 1 Squadron Australian, Flying Corps, STEWART, 1917

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1917

Overview

View of Airfield at Deir el Belah with multiple aircraft in front of hangar. Deir el-Belah Airfield was a vital Allied aerodrome during World War I. Established by the Egyptian Expeditionary Force in early 1917, it served as a frontline base for the British Royal Flying Corps (RFC) and the Australian Flying Corps (AFC) during the Sinai and Palestine Campaign.

Historical information

Walter Stewart was born in Onslow, Western Australia 1896 and was working as a farm hand at Pallinup (via Broome) when he enlisted in the Australia Imperial Force on 4 March 1916. Enrolled as 2427A in the 16th Reinforcements of 10 Light Horse, he embarked from Fremantle on HMAT A52 Surada on 16 May 1916. Although subsequently receiving machinegun training, he was transferred to 67 Australian Flying Squadron, Royal Flying Corps as a Motor Transport Driver. By the end of the War he was an Air Mechanic 1st Class with No 1 Squadron Australian Flying Corps. He embarked from Kantara Egypt for return to Australia on 5 March 1919.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-32-56-800

Item type

Photographs

Material

Prints (Photographic)

Contextual information

Walter Stewart purchased a small “Windmill” album manufactured in London inscribed Best Wishes from Walter for his sister and next of kin Nellie, living in Pallinup and a “Souvenir” album from Devel Printing in Cairo. The albums contain a variety of tourist and operational flying scenes, in all 116 images.

Year

1917

Last modified

Friday, 19 June, 2026

Completeness

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