Linda Gowans has submitted the following:-
James Todd Stewart was born in Sunderland in 1891, fourth of five children of John Stewart from Newcastle and his Sunderland-born wife Jennie Robson Stewart (née Todd). The 1901 census shows them at 9 Willmore Street, Millfield: John is a Shipyard Rivetter and eldest child Ethel is teaching in a Board School – perhaps Hylton Road, attended by her young brother James. By 1911 only he, now an Apprentice Upholsterer, is at home with his parents at 19 Rainton Street.
He soon had a new career, as a theatrical performer with a tenor singing voice. The Thespian Roll of Honour states that he was ‘for some time a member of Mr. Robert Courtneidge’s “Arcadians” and “Mousmé” companies, later joining Mr. Ernest Crampton for his “Curios” Concert Party. It was during the “Curios” tour last year that Mr. Stewart gave in his notice, and became a member of the London Scottish’. The ‘Curios’ tour in 1915 had enthusiastic reviews, citing his contribution: the Gloucestershire Echo 07/09/1915 tells us that ‘Mr. J. Todd Stewart contributed a Scots ballad which drew warm appreciation’.
James enlisted in London, and went to France with the London Scottish on January 9th, 1916. On the first day of the Battle of the Somme his Battalion took part in a diversionary attack on the Gommecourt Salient, and this was when James Todd Stewart was killed in action, along with so many others who have no known grave. A form states bleakly ‘Death officially accepted’.
The Sunderland Echo 13/07/1916, reported:
Mrs. J. Stewart, of 15, Rainton Street, has received a letter from the platoon officer to say that her son, Private Jas. Todd Stewart, of the London Scottish, was killed in the German trenches on July1st. Deceased was well-known in musical circles, and was on the stage for some years. He toured with “The Arcadians” No. 1 Company, “The Mousme,” and Max Erard’s “Vaudevillians,” and at the time of his enlistment was touring with a concert party. He had a brilliant future before him, and great sympathy is felt for his parents and their family in their loss. He was 23 years of age, was educated at Hylton Road School, and an old choirboy at St. Gabriel’s Church.
He is remembered on the war memorial at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, London.
James Todd Stewart is remembered in Sunderland on S140.009, S140.010 and S140.048 part 5