 In June 1917 , Stewart was rewarded with the Distinguished Service Order ( DSO ) in recognition of his leadership of his battalion during the Battle of Flers – Courcelette in September the previous year . He had planned and executed an attack by his battalion on German @-@ held trenches and , once the objective was captured , organised its defence against several counterattacks . He was awarded a bar to his DSO six months later , for his efforts during the Battle of Messines during which he was wounded . His injuries were severe , due to eight separate shrapnel wounds , and he was evacuated to London for treatment . Returning to the field in late 1917 , he was temporary commander of the 2nd Infantry Brigade at various times during 1918 while its regular commander was on leave or employed elsewhere . While on leave , on 21 February 1918 , Stewart married Alexandrina Kathleen Johnston at Uttoxeter , in the county of Staffordshire in England . 
