Archibald Cathcart Stewart 40151

[allan125]

Hi Guys

Can anyone fill in some blanks please – A C Stewart was Wing Co Flying of 125 Wing between March and July 1944 – but, other than knowing that, and his previous service in 167, 322 (Dutch), 65 and 122 squadrons, I have no idea where he served before 167 squadron or after 125 Wing other than those shown below.

The entries below are, in the main, from http://www.rafweb.org/Biographies/Stewart_AC.htm and I have photo’s of him with 167 squadron on 10 May 1943 and with S/Ldr Don Smith DFC, Soviet Medal for Valour CO of 453 Squadron RAAF at RAF Ford on 10 June 1944. Plus some London Gazette entries, including his DFC (US) and MiD.

The 125 Wing ORB for 7 July 1944 states "News was received that W/C Flying of 125, W/Cdr Stewart is going on rest and S/L Page D.F.C. is to be made W/C flying an appointment which gave a great deal of pleasure to everybody." But where did he go “on rest” and what followed before his permanent commission in the rank of Wing Commander ?

I have searched Aces High, Aces High 2 and Those Other Eagles but he does not appear – so seemingly no victories – but he was awarded a DFC in the supplement to the London Gazette of 19 September 1944 for “Acting Wing Commander Archibald Cathcart Stewart (40151) R.A.FO. - This officer has displayed gallantry, determination and devotion to duty worthy of the greatest praise. He has taken part in a large number of sorties on many of which he has led large formations of aircraft with exceptional ability. He has rendered much valuable service.”

He doesn't appear in “Men of the Battle of Britain” and a large blank exists between 1937 and 1943 for example, so can only presume he was in a training capacity then as I am sure a junior officer ranked trained pilot would have some responsibility during that important period. He does not, currently, appear to be traced flying bombers, fighters, coastal, or recce. – so that only leaves training, office bound or hospital!!

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Air Commodore A C Stewart

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Archibald Cathcart b: 7 Jul 1913 r: 3 Apr 1961 d: 1972+

DFC – DFC (US). MiD. jssc

Act Plt Off: 5 Sep 1937, Plt Off: 12 Jul 1938, Fg Off (WS): 12 Apr 1940, Flt Lt (WS): 12 Feb 1941, (T) Sqn Ldr: 1 Mar 1942, Act Wg Cdr: 9 Dec 1943?, Sqn Ldr (WS): 9 Jun 1944, Wg Cdr: 1 Nov 1947 [1 Oct 1946], Gp Capt: 1 Jan 1953, Act A/Cdre: 2 Dec 1957, A/Cdre: Retained.

5 Sep 1937: Initial Officer Training, RAF Depot?.

18 Sep 1937: U/T pilot, No 2 FTS.

xx Feb 1943: Officer Commanding, No 167 Sqn.

12 Jun 1943: Officer Commanding, No 322 (Dutch) Sqn. (Spitfire Vb)

xx xxx 1943: ?, No 65 Sqn?

xx Dec 1943: Officer Commanding, No 122 Sqn. (Spitfire IX)

xx Mar 1944:

15 Jun 1948: Appointed to Permanent Commission in the rank of Wing Commander

25 Feb 1953: Air Attaché, Warsaw.

30 Jul 1955: Senior Personnel Staff Officer, HQ Fighter Command.

2 Dec 1957: SASO, HQ No 224 Group.

I have received further information that he was SASO 224 Group from April 1959 but he is shown as of 2 December 1957 in the RAFWEB site

“Air Commodore A C Stewart, DFC, DFC (US), jssc as of April 1959 was Senior Air Staff Officer (SASO) at HQ No 224 Group, based in Singapore. Air Commodore Archibald Stewart transferred to the Retired List 3 April 1961.”

Many thanks

Allan

[Archimedes]

Here's a starter, from the Air Force List of 1938;

A C Stewart Acting Pilot Officer; Seniority 5/9/1937. With 57 Sqn at Upper Heyford.

1939 List doesn't give a breakdown of sqn members (oddly enough....), but he was a Pilot Officer with seniority of 12/7/1938

1940 List - he's a Flying officer, seniority 12/2/1940. Once again, the AF List (for obvious reasons) does not provide the handy list of names of who is with what Sqn.

Quick scan of the other bits of the 39 & 40 Lists suggests that he wasn't an assistant to an AOC or anything of that sort. Perhaps the 57 Sqn F540 from the PRO might provide info of where he went to next??

[allan125]

A C Stewart

Hi Archimedes - many thanks for that additional information.

Great pity the war and security got in the way of informative Air Force Lists isn't it - If you find anything additional can you please send it directly to my e-mail address allan(dot)hillman(at)btinternet(dot)com?

I am also passing the information over to the Royal Netherlands Air Force Historian (Erwin van Loo) because of the 167 squadron and 322 (Dutch) squadron part of his personal history.

Erwin has also advised me that he did not receive a Dutch Flying Cross "Why Stewart didn´t receive the Dutch Flying Cross in unknown to me as well. I´ve found cases of Dutch pilots who flew for two or three years in combat functions but didn´t receive one, so ..."

many thanks

Allan