Hansen, Stewart Murray (Captain), MC (d.1917)

Places	Africa: Egypt Europe: France Europe: France, Picardie, Somme, Albert Bapaume Area, Pozieres Area, Mouquet Farm Europe: Greece, Aegean Islands, Lemnos Europe: Greece, Aegean Islands, Lemnos, Sarpion Middle East: Ottoman Empire, Turkey, Dardanelles, Gallipoli Middle East: Ottoman Empire, Turkey, Dardanelles, Gallipoli, Anzac Area (Gallipoli), Quinn's Post Area, Courtney's Post Middle East: Ottoman Empire, Turkey, Dardanelles, Gallipoli, Sari Bair Area, Cheshire Ridge Middle East: Ottoman Empire, Turkey, Dardanelles, Gallipoli, Sari Bair Area, Hill 60 (Gallipoli) Oceania: Australia, Victoria, Melbourne, Williamstown
Accession Number	1DRL/0333
Collection type	Private Record
Record type	Collection
Measurement	2 wallets: 2 cm.
Object type	Papers
Maker	Hansen, Stewart Murray
Place made	Egypt, France, Ottoman Empire: Turkey, Dardanelles, Gallipoli
Date made	1915-1917
Access	Open
Related File This file can be copied or viewed via the Memorial’s Reading Room.	AWM93 12/11/709
Conflict	First World War, 1914-1918
Copyright	Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain This item is in the Public Domain
Copying Provisions	Copyright expired. Copying permitted subject to physical condition. Permission for reproduction not required.

Description

Collection relating to the service of Captain Stewart Murray Hansen, MC, 14 Battalion AIF, Egypt, Gallipoli, at sea, France, Scotland, 1915-1917. Collection includes letters from Captain Hansen to family in Victoria, written between February 1915 and September 1916, Hansen's pocket diaries for 1916 and 1917, press cuttings, hand-drawn plans of Durrant's Post, Sarpi Rest Camp and other places, hand-drawn map of Gallipoli Peninsula, letter of condolence, and sundry other items.

History / Summary

The letters and diaries of Captain Stewart Murray Hansen reveal him to have been a conservative man with a highly professional attitude towards his military service. His letters from Gallipoli show that he was extremely confident of Allied success in that campaign. In general, his letters are accounts of daily happenings with little personal reflection. He refers constantly to "Williamstown boys" whom he makes every effort to visit or contact, whether at the front or on leave. The 1917 diary reveals that Hansen became engaged to be married just a few weeks prior to his death.

Biographical note: Captain Stewart Murray Hansen, MC, 14 Battalion, AIF, who died on 7 February 1917 of wounds received at Gueudecourt on the Somme. Other Biographical details concerning him are: architect, of Williamstown, Vic., born Williamstown, educated at a state school as well as the Melbourne University High School and Workingmen's College; enlisted in the AIF on 14 September 1914 as a Private; served in Egypt, Gallipoli and France; age at time of death, 25.

Stewart Murray Hansen - enlisted as a Private September 1914. Promoted to Sergeant in 14 Battalion AIF, October 1914. Obtained his commission for bravery on the field at Gallipoli, May 1915. Appointed acting Captain & adjutant, July 1916. Gazetted Captain & officer commanding C. Company, 14 Battalion, 4 Brigade AIF, March 1916. He designed & engineered Courtney's Post which was highly commended by British experts. Mentioned by General Cox for conspicuous bravery at Mouquet Farm, France. Awarded MC October 1916. Passed qualifying exam in military engineering [unclear] further promotion. Recommended for his majority 1917 also DSO by General Brand. Killed on his 25th birthday at Battle of Gueudecourt, 7 February 1917.