In Newcastle upon Tyne (All Saints) Cemetery is the Commonwealth War Grave of:
31506 Private
G. Stewart
The Cameronians (Sco.RIF)
4th November 1917
The son of Rhowden and Margaret Stewart, of Newcastle upon Tyne and the husband of Grace Stewart, of 48, Trafalgar Street, Newcastle upon Tyne.
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
George Stewart was the eldest of 6 surviving children, 4 deceased. His father Rowden Stewart who was born in the parish of All Saints, Newcastle upon Tyne, September 18th 1866 where he was baptised October 22nd by his parents Duncan Stewart and Barbara Younger, married Margaret Manners a native of Newcastle upon Tyne, February 8th 1885.
The couple settled at Newcastle upon Tyne where George was born in 1885, William in 1889 and Elizabeth in 1890. In 1891 they occupied 45, Gibson Street, in Newcastle, Rowden supported his family working as a general labourer.
Charles Stewart was born in 1896, Frederick during the 2nd quarter (Apr/May/Jun) 1896 who was still an infant when during the 4th quarter (Oct/Nov/Dec) of 1896 his sister Elizabeth (6) died. Three years passed before Margaret gave birth again, Eleanor Stewart was born October 11th 1899.
In 1901 with the exception of George (15) who was an inmate at the North Eastern Reformatory for Boys at Netherton, Northumberland, working the land, the Stewart family were living in 2 rooms in the parish of All Saints in what is described as, “industrial dwellings,” this likely included various types of housing and possibly some early apartment buildings as the city’s industries and population grew.
Margaret gave birth to their youngest child Robert, April 18th 1902.
In 1911 George (25), and his family occupied 2 rooms at 95, Industrial Dwellings, City Road, Newcastle upon Tyne. He and his brothers William (22) and Charles(19) were working as quayside labourers, Frederick (15) as an errand boy, Eleanor (11) and Robert (9) were scholars.
As early as 1911 there were already rumblings of a possibility of war with Germany which was declared within hours of Germany, as part of a massive attack on France, invaded Belgium violating Belgian neutrality. After a request to Britain by the Belgians for help, London gave Berlin an ultimatum which expired August 4th 1914 at 11 p.m. London time. When this was ignored, King George V then declared war on Germany that same evening.
George Stewart was married at Newcastle upon Tyne in 1917 to widow Grace Moulding using her maiden surname Houston who was born August 19th 1879. From later documents pertaining to George there are two children listed as Grace’s stepchildren.
George’s brother Frederick Stewart died at Newcastle upon Tyne, March 11th 1915. The details of his demise are unknown and he is not considered a casualty of war.
In the absence of military records it is impossible to trace George’s exact movements however upon his enlistment he was assigned as Private 35106 to the 17th Battalion Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) which had been raised in the town of Paisley, near Glasgow, Scotland in December 1916 and then moved to Hamilton in February 1917. With the 16th Battalion the 17th Battalion Cameronians remained in the U.K. assigned to the defence of ports in Scotland.
Private 35106 George Stewart Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) died at the 4th Scottish General Hospital, at Stobhill Hospital, Glasgow, November 4th 1917 of pneumonia contracted on active service. At the request of his family his body was brought back to Newcastle upon Tyne, this would have been organised by the Army but paid for by them. Private 35106 George Stewart is at rest within Newcastle upon Tyne (All Saints) Cemetery grave J. C. 589. Birth records confirm his age as 32, the C.W.G.C. have his age as 34.
His young widow Grace was awarded a pension for herself and 2 step children Thomas Moulding born January 11th 1903 and George Henry Moulding, March 12th 1906. She was awarded the sum of 25 shillings and 5 pence, April 25th 1918 to be received weekly as of May 13th 1918 sent to her at 48, Trafalgar Street, Newcastle upon Tyne.
Further investigation has confirmed that the maiden name of Thomas and George Henry’s mother was Houston, George Henry’s date of birth is confirmed by the 1939 census and he had married Catherine T. Cranney in 1928.
George’s brother William Stewart who had enlisted in 1914 and served overseas was discharged from the Army in 1917 as no longer physically fit. He died October 23rd 1917 leaving a widow, Charles Stewart during the 1st quarter (Jan/Feb/Mar) 1921 nether are listed with the C.W.G.C. as a casualty of war.
Rowden Stewart died at Newcastle upon Tyne, February 8th 1933 at the Union Workhouse, Newcastle, his widow Margaret Stewart nee Manners in October 1942.
What became of Grace Stewart nee Houston or the Moulding brothers is unknown.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest in Peace.
George Stewart has yet to be identified on a local War Memorial.
