My Father The Hero


Clarence Stanley Stewart
25 / 11 / 1923
02 / 07/ 2004



VX 102258 Staff Sergeant
Enlisted 13 December 1941 - Discharged 20 August 1946

Service in Australia 1131 days
2nd Armoured Division HQ & 4th Armoured Brigade HQ

Service in New Guinea 581 days
2 Jan 1944 - 19 June 1944 1st Australian Tank Battalion - Ordinance Field Park & HQ New Guinea Force
19 Oct 1944 - 1 Dec 1945 HQ 1st Australian Army

Dad died last week, we had the funeral on Wednesday.
I have been very touched by the number of messages of support (from all over the world) I have received over the last week. The internet is an amazing place isn't it?

The title of this article needs explanation. I am under no illusions that my dad was a war hero, as far as I know he was way behind the lines. However in my eyes he was a hero in real life.

Following is the eulogy I gave at my dad's funeral:

I remember Dad telling me once something his Father told him - that all young boys think of their Dads as heroes, but when they become teenagers, they realise their fathers are idiots. By the time the boys are adults, they are surprised at how much they have been able to teach the old man. This was also true with me and dad, by the time I was an adult I realised he was a very special and important man.

This is a personal account, I’m not going to try to remember everything but this is what stands out.

My Dad was a fighter.

As you know I am a vet and he reminds me of one the Jack Russell Terriers that come into the surgery - full of attitude and ready to take on anything. The earliest example of this that I remember was when I got my first high school report. Amongst the usual list of very goods and excellents there was a poor report for Physical Education. We went along to the parent teacher interview and Dad tried to explain to the PE teacher that I had asthma. The teacher, somewhat foolishly, cut Dad off and said that he could see that I was not even trying. At this stage I was asked to leave the room. Standing outside in the corridor I heard a very loud and one-sided tirade. Dad emerged smiling. Looking back into the room, I could see the poor teacher looking very shaky.

Something I remember but had nothing to do with was when Dad started working at The City of South Barwon Council. Dad was a true believer in Labour and the union movement. He became the shop steward for the Municipal Officers Association and immediately started recruiting fellow employees to the Union. By the time he left there was 100% membership. Dad took it on himself to campaign for better superannuation for council workers which culminated in a big meeting at the Geelong West town Hall I think. Needless to say the workers were triumphant.

The last big fight Dad was involved was with Mr Ruxton (the president of the Victorian RSL) - the poor bugger didn’t know what hit him! I think we can safely say that the term “VJ day” has now been erased from the dictionary.

Dad was very loyal, both to friends and family. Everyone of us here can think of an example as to how he has helped at some stage. He loved children, and always asked after the grandkids - even to the last few days.

Dad was very proud of me and never missed the chance to say to anyone and everyone (even if they weren’t interested) how his son was the vet in Leopold and that I was a “hell of a fella”. I’d just like say that I am proud of him and he was a “Hell of a father”

Posted: Sat - July 10, 2004 at 01:51 PM          







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