Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-

George Stewart was the eldest of 6 surviving children, 4 deceased. His father Rowden Stewart 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. His mother Margaret Manners was also a native of Newcastle upon Tyne whom he married 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 6 year old  sister Elizabeth died. Three years passed before Margaret gave birth again, Eleanor Stewart was born October 11th 1899.

In 1901 with the exception of fifteen year old George 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.

William Stewart aged 26 years 1 month, described as 5 feet 3 and three quarter inches tall, with blue eyes and fair hair, enlisted at Newcastle upon Tyne, September 11th 1914 declaring he had previously served with the 3rd Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers a Special Reserve, discharged time expired. He was initially posted to the 14th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers September 26th 1914 which had been raised as part of Kitchener’s New Army and taken over by the War Office attached to the 21st Division and converted into a Pioneer Battalion in January 1915.

The 21st Division was moved to Halton Park for training but with the onset of winter training became impossible and they were moved into billets at Tring, Aylesbury, Leighton Buzzard, High Wycombe and Maidenhead and did not return to Halton Park until May 1915. In August before they transferred to Witley Camp and posted to the British Expeditionary Force Private 33583 William Stewart was married at St. Cuthbert Newcastle upon Tyne, August 20th 1915 to Margaret Doyle and departed to France September 9th 1915.

Marched across France still inexperience in trench warfare the 21st Division participated at the Battle of Loos, September 26th sustaining heavy casualties. Private Stewart remained in France until October 2nd 1915 when he was posted to the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force where he served until April 12th 1916.

April 13th 1916 he was withdrawn to France and posted to the 17th Battalion which in France was the Pioneer Battalion of the 32nd Division. May 13th 1916 Private Stewart rejoined the 14th Battalion until August 8th 1916 when he returned to England and transferred to the King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry where he remained until he was transferred to Class P, May 7th 1917 and discharged under King’s Regulations 394(xvi) “no longer physically fit for war service.” Awards; 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.

William returned to his wife who resided at 95, Garth Heads, Newcastle Upon Tyne.

William Stewart (29) died October 23rd 1917 but is not considered a casualty of WW1 unlike his brother George Stewart who died, November 4th 1917.

The marriage of William and Margaret was childless and what became of her is unknown.

Rowden Stewart died at Newcastle upon Tyne, February 8th 1933 at the Union Workhouse, Newcastle, his widow Margaret Stewart nee Manners in October 1942.

In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.