PRIVATE 12-975

Stratford Evening Post, Volume II, Issue 221, 15 April 1933, Page 3

PRIVATE 12-975

Schoolboy Soldier

ENLISTED WHEN FIFTEEN

New Zealand's Youngest

Believed l(i he the youngest member of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force to serve overseas during the Groat War, Mr. P. J. EvVart, formerly Private No. i;M)7r>, is si ill smiling, even though to-day lie is a uVil in Auckland's regiment of unemployed. lie enlisted when only 15 years of age, and his certificate of discharge shows over \l years' service overseas, says the Auckland Star.

Over at Birkenhead (here is a relief worker who enlisted in the Imperial Army at Ihe age of U years. It is claimed for Mr. Ewari that he was the youngest New Zealand soldier to serve overseas, and the claim is supported in writing by Colonel A. Plugge Commandant of the Auckland Battalion. Main Body, who says that, as far as his knowledge goes, Private N->. 12-975 is entitled to the record. Private Ewart, who was born in Auckland, enlisted at Epsom on September 7, 1914. At the time he was one month under the age of Hi, and attending school, lie was on board the steamer WWinana, as drummer boy with the Auckland Infantry Band, when the ship sailed for Egypt with the Main Body. Landed on Gallipoli

Following' intensive training v.i Egypt, Private Ewart embarked with his battalion on the steamer Lulzow, which carried him into the Aegean. On the morning of April 25. 1015, he paraded on the deck of the Lutzow for the landing at Gallipoli. Hiding Irs excitement as host he could, he waited his turn to descend the ladder into the ship's boats. At last it came, but ho was to be disappointed. Colonel Pluggc was watching his men file into the boats, and he recognised his young drummer. He called him back. "You're too young, my lad," he said. "I cannot take the responsibility Of allowing you to land. Go and report to your bandmaster." Young Ewart protested strongly, but, in vain. He was s ill on the troopship when his pals landed at Aazac Cove that morning. The band master, by the. way, was Lieut. A. J. Clarebutt, who is to-day a member of the staff of the Auckland Star. On the evening of the same day came a message that all the ship's boats were to report at Anzac immediately and in the crew of the first boat'that ran up on the beach was Private No. 12-975. His ambition was realised. Subsequently Private Ewart war, ordered to return to the Lutzow which was converted into a hospital ship It was a severe blow to his boyish enthusiasm, but orders were orders and it was no use arguing. l<oi two'trips between Anzac and Alexandria where so many of New Zealand a wounded soldiers were placed m hospital his main duties were to do what he could to comfort those of his mates who were casualties during the first weeks of Gallipoli. Then he returned to the Peninsula from Lemnos with the band, and served ashore until the evacuation of Gallipoli m December, 11)15. Three Years in France From Alexandria young Ewart travelled with the New Zealand Division by the steamer Frnneonia to Marseilles. From the tunc Of his landing at the French port until the cessation of hostilities he was "with the boys." He served right through the Western Front campaign, and marched with his battalion through Belgian, and across the Rhine after the signing of the Armistice in 1!)1»- ' With four years and 207 days' active service overseas to his credit, Private Ewart returned to New Zealand by the Northumberland. Despite his long service in France he was lbscharged as "fit" on June 7, 1919- It was a record of which he might well be proud, even though the fact that ho was classed as "fit" meant that ho could claim no pension. Then 20 years of age he started out to learn the intricacies of cabinetmaking. A tew months later this veteran of the World War celebrated with youthtul enthusiasm his 21st birthday at the home of liis parents in Ponsonby. A humorou's point in connection with Private. 12-!)7s's war service IS shown in his certificate of discharge.

When he enlisted at Epsom he frankly entered his trade or occupation as "Schoolboy." Apparently the office: in charse of the issue of the discharge certificates thought that "Schoolboy ill-fitted a man who had gone right through the greatest war of all time, for he substituted the word student." Stili Smiling When the depression first appeared in the Dominion, Private Ewart, like many other ex-servicemen, was taking advantage of a State loan to make itself a home. The hard times meant a steep falling away in the cab inetmaker's business, and a icw SoSfago Private No. 12-975 with a wile and two young children to sup port, was forced to turn from his trade. To-day as a ratepayer of Grey Lynn he receives 15s 9d per week sustenance pay to feed and clothe himrff°and his family. As a boy solder his weekly pay was 355, and his ra Sons and clothing were supplied free ° E Ewart, as he is known among his old pals of the trenches, is still smiling, for he looks forward to the So when regular work will com i_ain The same, Private No. 12-.H5 cfaims, may be Wad of soldiers who were young. _________