It was World War II and Aboriginal man Harold James Stewart was 20 years old, fighting for Australia on the frontlines of Bougainville and New Guinea.
Harold dedicated 1,339 days of his life to the army, but on returning home he never received his war medals. And he never marched on Anzac Day."He didn't share the details around his service. The stuff he did share was when he used to remember doing rifle drills and the fun times he had," he says. His daughter Sandra says Harold was taken to Bomaderry Aboriginal Children's home in Nowra, New South Wales, and later sent to Kinchela Boys Home in Kempsey."I didn't like the feeling and thought about how it must have been to have no one on their side … No mum, dad, sister or brother," she says.
As he combs through his collection of army memorabilia, he reflects on some photos of his time in the army. "I just felt compelled that I needed to pay back in some way. I had these skills and abilities as an instructor so taking that role on as a mentor just felt natural," he says. "I'm very proud of them for stepping up, serving their country, making the commitment that they do but I'm very aware of the danger they are in and what they face. I pray for them each day that they do come home to us safe," she says.
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