 By January 1916 , the manpower of the NZEF had expanded sufficiently that it could field a full infantry division on the Western Front . Accordingly , the New Zealand and Australian Division , which had been evacuated to Egypt from Gallipoli , was disbanded and the New Zealand Division created from the original infantry brigade as well as two new brigades ( the 2nd Infantry Brigade and New Zealand Rifle Brigade ) , which had recently arrived from New Zealand . Promoted to lieutenant @-@ colonel on 27 February 1916 , Stewart took command of the newly formed 2nd Battalion , Canterbury Infantry Regiment , which was attached to the 2nd Infantry Brigade . He led the battalion for nearly the duration of its service on the Western Front . 
