Sergeant N. M. Stewart, MM, EM and clasp; Te Puke; born Christchurch, 21 Dec 1914; motor driver; p.w. 1 Jun 1941. (Source: Davin, D.M. Crete. p.234.)

'On the part of the front which had hitherto seen the hottest fighting, that held by the Divisional Cavalry south-east of the Prison-Galatas road and by the Divisional Petrol Company north-west of it, the morning was quiet enough. But in the afternoon the defence was heavily bombed and towards evening enemy patrols became active. Then about seven o'clock, after heavy mortar fire and more attacks from the air, the enemy made a strong attack on the ground held by the battle-worn Petrol Company. This attack seems to have had some initial success. The enemy got some troops onto the top of Pink Hill, which since the previous day had been a no-man's-land, and from there was able to cover the assault on the Petrol Company's centre. ‘A breach was made in the centre but Corporal N. M. Stewart, who had been in reserve with about 30 men of the night-watching patrols, rushed into the breach and drove the enemy back about 100 yards.’

To Colonel Kippenberger the situation looked dangerous and he hastily called up half the Composite Battalion reserve, about twenty-five men of 4 Field Regiment under Lieutenant MacLean, and sent them in to help. He himself, with Lieutenant Carson and Carson's patrol—a similar small force—moved quickly round to Wheat Hill so as to counter-attack the enemy on his left flank.; Petrol Company - Rowe and James were cut off for a time, and when they got back events were moving briskly. One determined enemy thrust pierced the Company's line; but Corporal N. M. Stewart, who had been in reserve with about thirty men of the night-watching patrols, rushed into the breach and drove the Germans back about 100 yards. For this he was awarded the Military Medal. Some Germans succeeded in getting to the top of Pink Hill; and as they could thus outflank Petrol Company's positions, Rowe sent for immediate reinforcements and ordered a concentrated fire on Pink Hill. ‘Everything we had went off’, he writes, ‘and soon the Greeks arrived. I asked them to clear the Hill, but in view of our few numbers I refused to allow Div Pet to participate.’ Sergeant N. M. Stewart, MM, EM and clasp; Te Puke; born Christchurch, 21 Dec 1914; motor driver; p.w. 1 Jun 1941.
' (Source: Davin, D.M. Crete. p. 234.; Kidson, A.L. Petrol Company. pp. 127.) AWMM