Chapter 59 – Charles

Hugh Dolan describes how aerial reconnaissance missions by British Number 3. Air Squadron observed an increased concentration of early morning cooking fires around the villages of Boghali and Kojadere on 16, 17 and 18 May 1914 in Gallipoli Air War , p. 187.

Following are accounts of the death of Major Charles Villiers-Stuart on 17 May 1915:

“Major Charles Villiers-Stuart survived the hurly-burly of the first few days only to be killed by a shrapnel ball striking his chest as he sketched enemy trenches on 17 May…He left behind a young wife and a tiny son he had never seen.” 36 Days by Hugh Dolan, p. 369.

“Major Villiers Stuart GSO2 was killed about 11.am near observation post in No. II Section.”

ANZAC HQ War Diary , 17th May 1915.

“In the line the figures of…Villiers-Stuart,…Glasfurd,…with the red band of the Staff Officer round their caps and the red gorget patches on their collars, were seen hopping round the insecure trenches, or making their way over the top through the scrub, too often for any man to have a doubt as to their willingness to share his dangers. On May 17th Villiers-Stuart, out on the heights correcting some of the valley contours in the defective map, was hit through the heart by a shrapnel pellet.” Official History of Australia in the War of 1914-18, vol I by Charles Bean, p. 551.

“By one of the shell-bursts at Courtney’s Post Villiers-Stuart himself was killed.”

History of Australia in the War of 1914-18, vol II by Charles Bean, p. 136

“Major Charles Herbert VILLIERS-STUART (Mentioned in Despatches), Indian Army, attached HQ Staff, A&NZAC. Born Edinburgh Scotland. Married; Soldier, of Castletown, Carrick on Suir, Ireland. Next of kin: Wife; Joan Villers-Stuart, of Troquhain, Balmaclellan, Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland. Killed in action at Courtney's Post, on 17 May 1915, aged 40. Grave: Beach Cemetery.”

http://www.anzacs.org/index_uvwy.html#VNames