Westoutre Britsh Cemetery
St. Mary's Heworth
Photo: Marie McNichols
In St. Mary's Churchyard is a family headstone for McGuinness which includes:
James Stewart
McGuinness
their eldest son
who fell in action in France
August 8th 1918.
aged 30 years.
"Greater love hath no man
than this, that a man lay down
his life for his friends."
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
James Stewart McGuinness was born during the 4th quarter (Oct/Nov/Dec) 1887 at Felling, Gateshead, County Durham, he was the eldest of his siblings, 2 sons and 2 daughters. His father James McGuinness was a draper born in 1860 at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland, where during the 3rd quarter, (Jul/Aug/Sep) of 1885 he married Ellen O’Kelly, native of Ireland, born 1865. James Snr ran his own drapery business, in 1891 they were living at Alliance Villa, near Belgrave Street, Heworth, living with them was Ellen’s sister Sarah and they had a domestic servant, 18-year-old Sarah McGiffin. By 1901 the family had moved to Shanid House, Heworth, James Stewart aged 13 years was a scholar, unfortunately his father died in 1907 aged only 47 years, his widow Ellen took over the running of the drapery business assisted by her sons James Stewart and Philip who were still living at home, their sisters were married and 24-year-old Mary Martin was employed as a general domestic servant.
On the outbreak of war James Stewart McGuinness enlisted at Newcastle-upon-Tyne and was assigned as Private 30081 to the Royal Dublin Fusiliers, he departed to France after January 1916 to join the regiment which fought extensively on the Western Front during the Battles of the Somme in 1916 and at Arras in 1917. He was transferred as Private 26231 to the 7th (South Irish Horse) Battalion Royal Irish Regiment which was formed in France, September 1st 1917. Attached to the 49th Brigade, 16th (Irish) Division, October 14th 1917 they fought at the Second Battle of Ypres in Belgium, in 1918 they were again in action on the Somme suffering very heavy losses, by April 18th 1918 they were reduced to cadre strength. June 18th 1918 the Division returned to England and having lost most of its original Irish units it was reformed June 26th 1918, transferred to the 21st Brigade, 30th Division and drafted again to France, July 4th 1918.
Private 26231 James Stewart McGuinness was killed in action August 8th 1918 in France/Belgium during day to day trench warfare and is interred at Westoutre British Cemetery, West Vlaanderen, 11 kilometres from Ypres in Belgium, grave L. 4. He was 30 years old and single.
His mother as his sole beneficiary and executor received all monies due to him, a pension and his awards of the British War Medal and Victory Medal sent to her at Shanid House, Felling, County Durham. She paid the sum of 14 shillings and 7 pence for an additional inscription to be added to his millinery headstone, it reads, “ Dearest Love We Are Ever With You-Mother Brother And Sisters.”
In addition to his Army dues, probate was also assigned at Durham, November 19th 1918 to his mother, Ellen McGuinness. Effects 3 thousand 3 hundred and sixty three pounds, one pence.
His sacrifice is also remembered on the family gravestone within Heworth St. Mary Churchyard and at St. Patricks, Felling where his mother placed a stained glass window. (F31.14)
Ellen McGuinness nee O’Kelly died aged 74 years, 9th April 1939 registered at Newcastle-upon-Tyne but still of Shanid House Felling.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
James Stewart McGuinness is remembered at Felling on F32.06 and F32.14 and at Windy Nook as Stuart McGuinness W95.01 and W95.02
