John Smith Stewart was a prominent Canadian military figure, dentist, and community leader who played a vital role in the history of Alberta and Canada during the first half of the 20th century. His life story is a remarkable blend of a successful medical career, service in the Second Boer War and World War I, and active public and political engagement. Rising from a teacher and practicing dentist to a brigadier-general and an influential regional leader, Stewart left a lasting mark on the development of military medicine and Canadian society. In this article by edmonton-yes.com, we explore the key milestones of John Smith Stewart’s life, his distinguished military service, and his enduring contributions to Canadian history.
Early Years and Education
John Stewart was born in Brampton, Ontario, in 1877. In 1896, he moved west to Edmonton. After graduating from normal school (teacher training), he began teaching in Namao. Following an apprenticeship with Dr. A. Goodwin, John enrolled in Trinity College at the University of Toronto. His studies were interrupted in December 1899 when he joined Lord Strathcona’s Horse in Edmonton, then under the command of Colonel Sam Steele. Stewart spent a year in active combat in South Africa, earning the Queen’s South Africa Medal. Upon returning to Canada, John graduated with honours from the Faculty of Dentistry in 1902 and moved to Lethbridge, where he established a practice with Dr. William McClure, his future brother-in-law.
In 1907, Colonel Sam Steele, then commander of Military District No. 13, visited Lethbridge’s Liberal Senator George De Veber to recruit new members. Stewart was tasked with forming the 25th Battery, the first artillery unit in Western Canada. To lead the unit, he had to qualify for the rank of Major at the Royal Military College of Canada, which he achieved in 1908. A year later, John was appointed to the University of Alberta’s Board of Governors. He then entered politics, serving as a Conservative representative from 1911 to 1925.
World War I: From Major to Brigadier-General
With the outbreak of World War I on August 4, 1914, Major Stewart was commissioned to form the 20th Battery. This was one of several units raised in Lethbridge, including the:
- 39th Battery
- 61st Battery
- 78th Battery
Each battery operated 4 to 6 guns, and four batteries together formed a brigade of approximately 1,100 personnel.
Promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel, Stewart temporarily suspended his dental practice to take command of the 7th Brigade. After training at Camp Shilo, he sailed overseas on August 9, 1915. Further preparation at Shorncliffe, England, involved target practice and perfecting coordinated artillery-infantry assaults. The brigade utilized various field and heavy artillery. Each unit was also equipped with trench mortars for smoke and chemical shells. Positions were typically established 1,000 to 2,000 yards behind the front lines, tasked with neutralizing enemy batteries, preventing counter-attacks, disrupting German troop movements, and supporting infantry raids and rescue missions.
As the war reached a stalemate, Stewart’s brigade was ordered to France to join the 2nd Division. In May 1916, John took his first six-day leave in London, where he reconnected with friends, attended theatre performances, and visited colleagues.
Returning to France on July 1, John coordinated an artillery-infantry raid so precise that two German prisoners were captured for interrogation within just 10 minutes. On July 30, his unit executed its first dangerous daylight rescue to evacuate a captain wounded during a raid, using an artillery barrage as cover. From October 28 to February 6, 1917, Stewart was forced onto leave after he and a fellow officer were wounded while inspecting their batteries. After ensuring his colleague’s evacuation, Stewart was carried out on a stretcher with shrapnel wounds to his right arm, leg, and back. During his recovery, he was Mentioned in Despatches and awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO).
Stewart returned to the front in April, just before the Battle of Vimy Ridge. Preparation for this historic operation required seamless integration between Canadian artillery and infantry. Appointed commander of the 4th Artillery Brigade (1st Division), he meticulously followed General Morrison’s 35-page instructions, participating in trial barrages and pre-attack bombardments on April 9. The battle opened with massive artillery support; using triangulation, 83% of German guns were accurately identified and neutralized.
Stewart’s leadership skills were recognized early in the war, leading to a double promotion from Lieutenant-Colonel to Brigadier-General on July 7, 1917. Initially acting as the Commander of Royal Artillery for the 4th Division, he oversaw seven brigades. The promotion was made permanent in October, and in December, he was transferred to the 3rd Division.
In February 1918, Stewart was invited to dinner by Division Commander General Lipsett, who was hosting Winston Churchill and the Duke of Westminster. Churchill left a lasting impression on Stewart during their meeting.
The “Canada’s Hundred Days” offensive began on August 7 with the Battle of Amiens. Advancing alongside Australian troops and supported by 400 tanks, the Canadians pushed five miles on the first day, capturing 3,000 prisoners and 162 guns. Erich Ludendorff famously called it the “black day of the German Army.” A week later, Stewart was awarded the French Croix de Guerre.
Stewart’s final wartime engagement took place in Mons, Belgium, on the night of November 10–11. Mons held deep symbolic value as the site of the British Army’s first major battle of the war.
Following Ludendorff’s resignation and the Kaiser’s abdication, an armistice was signed, taking effect at 11:00 AM on November 11. General Stewart led the victory parade in Mons that day, ordering a “General Salute” before Commander Sir Arthur Currie and the King of the Belgians.
Awards, Achievements, and Legacy
On January 3, 1919, General Stewart received further military honours from the King. He returned to Canada on January 19, just in time for the legislative session. Despite his request to remain anonymous, a crowd of veterans gathered to welcome him when his train arrived from Medicine Hat at 3:00 AM.
Stewart ran in the 1925 federal election for the Conservative Party and was defeated, but he was later elected as a Member of Parliament in 1930. He continued his dental practice for over 58 years, finally retiring in 1960 at the age of 83. In 1957, General Stewart School was named in his honour, and that same year, the Chancellor of the University of Alberta conferred upon him an honorary Doctor of Laws degree.
In 1968, on the 50th anniversary of the liberation of Mons, Stewart returned to Belgium. He was named an Honorary Citizen of the city, adding to a collection of honours that included the WWI Victory Medal, the King George and Queen Mary medals, and the Efficiency Decoration. John Stewart passed away in 1970 at the age of 93.