Lieutenant-Colonel J.B. Stewart
Algonquin Regiment

We may be a little short on material riches such as hat and shoulder badges, battle honours for our coat sleeves … But what we lack in some of these little things we make up in others—intangible, yet so apparent that we have but to pass before the people of our country and we are accepted for what we are—a great regiment.

(RSM Balfe Bradley, Winnipeg Tribune, 20 Nov 1941, 14)

Born on 3 February 1890 in Duluth, Minnesota, John Bain Stewart had belonged to the Queen’s Own Rifles of Toronto and worked as a contractor in North Bay, Ontario before the First World War. He was commissioned as captain and adjutant in the 159th Battalion in November 1915. Once overseas, he reverted to lieutenant to join the 4th Battalion, Canadian Railway Troops and later transferred to the 4th Canadian Mounted Rifles. After the war, Stewart joined the Algonquin Regiment, which perpetuated the 159th.

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