German Model 1909 ersatz cardboard cartridge pouches : Brigadier-General J C Stewart, 14 Australian Infantry Brigade, AIF

Set of Model 1909 pattern ammunition pouches made predominantly from heavy cardboard, with leather used for the flexible parts of the pouches. Each pouch, less cover, is made from one piece of cardboard, folded and secured into place with small brass rivets. A small horizontal dividing length of cardboard is secured to the interior of each pouch. The separate covers are of identical construction methods. The pouches are rivetted to a backing section, made from two lengths of cardboard; three lengths of leather are sandwiched between these and act as hinges for the covers. Attached to each cover is a leather strap, which secures the pouch when closed by fitting it to a brass post at the base of each pouch through a slot in the leather. The belt loops and two short arcs, located below the belt loops,on the back of the pouches are made with leather. A brass loop is attached to the central back of the pouches by a piece of leather.

The manufacturer's details are impressed into the centre rear and the Australian War Records Section number (F5099) is pencilled adjacent. The entire set of pouches appears to have been finished in a protective wax coating, which has darkened the cardboard. The brass posts have a more rounded end than normally encountered with German equipment. There is evidence for this pouch being used - the leather belt loops and the brass loop at the rear are all slightly deformed from use, and the waxed finish has rubbed off most of the rear and from the covers.

Set of German Model 1909 ammunition pouches of standard pattern, except they are made almost entirely from heavy cardboard with a waxed finish, with leather only used where strength or durability is required. This set was recovered by the Commander of 14 Brigade, Brigadier-General James Campbell Stewart, DSO and bar, on 18 August 1918 near Proyart, where the old Amiens Line ran southwest to northeast and where 14 Brigade had established their new headquarters two days earlier. The Amiens-St Quentin Road also passed through this area. The brigade had just moved north, from the Luce Valley near Caix; they had been preparing for a planned attack by the French, Australian and Canadian Corps against the German lines in the Chaulnes-Roye area on 15 August. This was postponed, then cancelled and the Australian Divisions were obliged to cool their heels for a week.

During this period, patrols and relief was organised, and the brigade (consisting of 53, 54, 55 and 56 Battalions) spent their time improving defences and reconnoitering their new area of responsibility. The Brigade war diary for 16 August notes that 'enemy artillery has been active on the area during the day mostly with 5.9 inch and heavier artillery. The main Amiens-St Quentin Road forms a great attraction for him and Proyart and Morcourt also receive considerable attention.' Indeed, Brigade Headquarters received a direct hit on its mess the following day when a shell hit the mess table directly (destroying a case of whiskey 'which was being hoarded'). Recovery of ersatz (substitute) material such as this ammunition pouch told the allies much about the state of the German economy. The defeat of the German forces led to large quantities of material being captured. This is one of dozens of items collected by the 14th Brigade in the wake of the 8 August Offensive, some of which were offered to the Australian War Records Section on 28 August 1918.

James Campbell Stewart was born at Port Fairy on 19 January 1884, a bank officer of Elwood, Victoria. Stewart joined the Victorian Scottish Regiment in 1901, where steady promotions saw him commissioned in 1909, promoted to lieutenant in 1911 and appointed adjutant and captain of 52 Infantry in August 1912. It was in this capacity that he enlisted with 5 Battalion, AIF on 17 August 1914 and embarked from Melbourne aboard HMAT Orvieto on 21 October 1914. He landed at Gallipoli on the morning of 25 April 1915 and immediately found himself acting commander; by mid afternoon he had been wounded by shrapnel and was evacuated from the peninsula. The next day he was promoted to major. After recovery in Egypt, he rejoined his battalion on 2 June, remaining with them until the evacuation of the ANZAC Area. For his service on Gallipoli, Stewart was awarded the Distinguished Service Order. With the creation of new AIF units in early 1916, he was chosen to command the newly-formed 57 Battalion (15 Brigade) and a month later was promoted to lieutenant-colonel.

The battalion arrived in France in late June, and on 19 July, participated in the Fromelles attack. Early in 1917 the battalion was in the advance that followed the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line. Stewart was made a Companion of St Michael and St George (CMG) for organising the 5th Division defence of Beaumetz. He was given temporary command of 15 Infantry Brigade for periods during 1916 and 1917.

His connection to 57 Battalion ended on 23 March 1918 when he was appointed brigadier-general commanding 14 Infantry Brigade; he was mentioned in despatches on five occasions during this period. He continued his involvement in the militia after the war, commanding 14 Infantry Brigade until 1921, transferring to the 10th Brigade until 1926 and later the 15th Brigade, until 1934. He was made honorary colonel of 57 Battalion in late January 1929 and commanded the Volunteer Defence Corps from 1942 until 1945. Stewart died in 1947.