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

The BE.12 type is readily identified by the central fuel tank on the underside of the upper wing. The Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.12 was a single-seat British biplane used during World War I. Originally intended as a long-range bomber and reconnaissance plane, it was later pressed into service as a fighter. It was essentially a single-seat version of the highly stable B.E.2.

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-32-56-811

Item type

Photographs

Material

Prints (Photographic)

Inscriptions and markings

No original BE12s are known to exist but The Vintage Aviator Ltd in New Zealand has built an airworthy reproduction which is flown from the firm's Hood Aerodrome, Masterton base.

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

Sunday, 21 June, 2026

Completeness

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Australian Army Museum of Western Australia