Photo : Bacon and Son

RAF Casualty Card

Newcastle Journal Friday 18/05/1917

Headstone on Old Jesmond Cemetery: B. Chandler

Flight Magazine Entry 12/10/1916

Vernon Forster Stewart was born on the 5th December 1891 at Gateshead, the youngest son of 4 children, of the Reverend Robert Stewart, and his wife Mary Collingwood Stewart. The father was a Presbyterian Minister residing at 2 Bentinck Terrace, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. The 3 eldest children were Robert Strother born, 1878, a Solicitor, Joseph Collingwood born 1881, a Surgeon and Mary Edith born 1884, teacher of Cookery.

In 1911 they were all residing at Clifton Road, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, with 2 servants. Also in residence was niece, Dorothy Gertrude Strother, Draughtswoman, nephew, Percy Collingwood Strother, Marine Engineer and a visitor, Samuel Beard a Civil Engineer.

He was educated at the Royal Grammar School, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

Vernon was a good all round athlete, and played regularly for the Old Novocastrians Rugby Football Club. He was a member of the Grainger Lawn Tennis Club.

He also had a keen interest with the Children's mission at Shieldfield.

Vernon was articled to be a Solicitor in 1911, to his brother, Captain R. Strother Stewart. He passed the Intermediate Examination of the Law Society in 1913, and was Treasurer of the Newcastle Law Students' Society.

He obtained a commission, and was gazetted as 2nd Lieutenant on the 2nd July 1915, in the 1/8th Battalion Durham Light Infantry, and acted for some time as Bombing Officer to his battalion.

Vernon transferred to the Royal Flying Corps in May, 1916, where he received his Wings within two months.

Vernon took part in the aerial defence of London in the same squadron as Lieut. Robinson, V.C. before going out to France. The photo on the right shows Robinson in the Middle.

He then served with the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders from the 6th September 1916, taking part in the aerial heavy fighting during the recent offensive. He was brought down on a few occasions with machines damaged in the fighting. He was promoted to temporary Lieutenant on the 1st February 1917, whilst serving with the R.F.C.

As pilot, Stewart was involved in at least three crashes between 9th April 1917 and 3rd May 1917, one of which involved a combat with enemy aeroplanes.

Vernon was piloting a R.E.8 A4245 when he was killed in action. His plane was shot down out of control on the 13th May 1917, by the German fighter aceKarl Allmenroder of Jasta 11. with 2nd Lieutenant John Guthrie Troup (Son of the Rev. George Elmslie Troup and Eliza Jane Troup, of 22, Hermitage Drive, Edinburgh, and Larach Bhen, Loch Awe, Argyllshire. Born at Broughty Ferry, Forfarshire), when they were both killed.

Major P.C. Maltby, D.S.O., wrote: He was always so keen and thorough. I could always rely on his carrying out any duty which I gave him, and in many cases he succeeded in his work in the face of hostile opposition which would have justified him in abandoning all attempts. He was unmarried.

De Ruvigny Roll of Honour 1914-18:

Newcastle Journal Monday 28/05/1917, carried a tribute to 2nd Lieutenant V. F. Stewart, R.F.C. by a fellow officer writing to a gentleman in the City of Newcastle:- He was one of the best fellows I have ever met, and about the bravest pilot in the squadron. He was just due to go to home establishment for a rest. I hope they give him a D.S.O., he really deserves it.

Vernon's Memorial Service was held on Sunday 27th May 1917, at the Wingrove Presbyterian Church, Wingrove Road, Gateshead. The service was carried out by the Reverend Thomas Mitchell.

In Newcastle-Upon-Tyne (Old Jesmond) General Cemetery is a family headstone. On one face it reads:

In his will dated 29th November 1917, he left effects of £267 2s 11d to his father who was residing at 2 Bentinck Terrace, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

Vernon's British War Medal 1914-20 came up for Auction in 2001 by Dix Noonan Webb.

Simon Glancey states that the number of the aircraft given above is incorrect. "Lt. Stewart was killed when his R.E.8 A4245 was shot down by Leutnant Karl Allmenroder of Jasta 11 near Arleux. Stewart and his observer Lt. JohnGuthrie Troup were both killed."

Vernon Forster Stewart is remembered in Holy Island on H65.09, in Fenham on F31.32, in Benwell on B86.17 in Gateshead on G39.113 in Jesmond on J1.19, in Newcastle on NUT061 and in Durham in the D.L.I. Book of Remembrance page 117.

RAF Museum Web site
Flight Global RFC records
First World War
16th Squadron History
The CWGC entry for Lieutenant Stewart