Three: Second Lieutenant J. M. Stewart, Irish Guards, who was killed in action at Givenchy on 1 April 1915

1914-15 Star (2. Lieut. J. M. Stewart, I. Gds.); British War and Victory Medals (2.Lieut. J. M. Stewart) together with Memorial Plaque (John Maurice Stewart) all contained in a contemporary display frame, glass lacking, extremely fine (4) £1,600-£2,000

Dix Noonan Webb, July 2010.

John Maurice Stewart was born in London in 1896, younger son of Charles John Stewart, Public Trustee, and of Lady Mary Stewart, eldest daughter of Hector, 3rd Earl of Norbury. He was educated at St David’s, Reigate, and Harrow, and was gazetted Second Lieutenant, Special Reserve, Irish Guards, on probation on 4 August 1914. The following is taken from Harrow Memorials of the Great War:

‘2nd Lieutenant Stewart joined the Irish Guards on the outbreak of the War and went to the Front on Christmas Eve, 1914. He acted as Battalion Transport Officer and had passed a bombing course. He was killed in the trenches at daybreak on April 1st, at Givenchy.

His Colonel writes:-
“He was a splendid boy, and we all liked him so much in the Irish Guards, and he behaved so gallantly out at the Front.”

His Adjutant writes to his father:-
“As Adjutant of this Battalion I can quite honestly tell you that your son was a most keen and efficient soldier, and never once during the whole time he was out here has he been heard to grumble. In addition to this he had made himself so popular, not only with his brother-officers, but also with the men of his Company; so not only has the Regiment lost a promising Officer, but a real friend. We had only a few days before put in a special recommendation that he should become a regular Officer of the Regiment.”

From his Commanding Officer at Warley:-
“We were all so fond of him while he was here, and so they were in the 1st Battalion in France - officers and men too. I hear that the Company-Sergeant-Major quite broke down when he was killed, and, as you may guess, they have all been through so much that there is not much room left for any emotion.”

Another Officer writes:-
“The Officers of the Battalion asked me to say how terribly they felt his loss, for he was a real good fellow and very popular. He was one of the best Officers we had, and one of the bravest; he seemed to know no fear.”

Another Officer writes:-
“... He was truly Irish, and at about the last place he was in there was an inscription put up over his dug-out, ‘Paddy’s Hut.’ It must have been put there by one of his men, but nobody could complain.”

This is the second gallant son the Public Trustee has lost in the War.’

The Irish Guards, regimental history, records: ‘April opened with the death of 2nd Lieutenant J. M. Stewart, killed before dawn while looking over the parapet of the trench at Duck’s Bill, and buried at noon in the cemetery near “Windy Corner.” He was one of the best of the younger officers of these days and had proved himself on many occasions.’

Second Lieutenant Stewart is buried in the Guards Cemetery, Windy Corner, Cuinchy.