Stewart, James Crawford

Lieutenant James Crawford Stewart

Stewart was born at Bonds Hill, Londonderry on 28th December (or October) 1892 to Samuel Stewart, Merchant and Isabella Stewart nee Crawford. They were married on 19th November 1889 under special licence in the house of the bride at Rosnagalla House, Glendermott and registered in the Strabane register. The marriage was registered a second time in the Londonderry register.

In 1901, Isabella and her 2 children; James (8) and Jeannie E (10) were living with her parents (Crawford) and her 3 siblings (Eliza, Maggie and James Crawford) in house 2, Rossnagillagh, Glendermott, Co. Londonderry. There were also 4 servants present in the property; Henry Quigg, Joseph Mullan, James Friel and Maggie Roarty.

In 1911, Isabella is residing in house 6, Clarendon Street, Londonderry with her daughter, Jeannie and Samuel (9). There are 4 boarders; Artena Reid, Sara Thompson, James Dawson and Winifred Pollock and 1 servant, Lizzie Reid also present in the property.

Stewart would have joined the Belfast Banking Company around 1911 working in Head Office. His mother signed the Bankers Guarantee giving her address as 11 Clarendon Street, Londonderry.

Belfast Bank - Bankers Guarantee ledger sheet

Belfast Bank, Head Office, 2 Waring Street, Belfast 

The 1911 Irish Census records a Londonderry man, James Stewart (18) boarding in house 34, Eblana Street, Cromac, Belfast.  His occupation is recorded as Bank Clerk.

Stewart volunteered and enlisted into the Royal Irish Rifles with Service Number 40921. His first theatre of war is recorded as France from December 1916.

He later transferred to the Royal Field Artillery. The London Gazette of 11th February 1918 reports Stewart as being promoted from Officer Cadet to 2nd Lieutenant. He was later promoted to Lieutenant.

As an officer, Stewart had to apply for the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. This he did on 22nd April 1923.

James C Stewart - Medal Index Card

His Medal Index Card records his address as PO Box 2, Te Pulmy, Bay of Plenty, New Zealand.

It is presumed that Stewart did not re-join the Belfast Bank following his demobilisation after the war. 

There are a number of ships passenger manifests that record a James C Stewart departing and arriving at various locations across the world e.g.:

Mr James C Stewart, 34, departed Sydney, Australia for London in December 1927 onboard the S S Renalla. His occupation is recorded as a Dairy Farmer and his address as New Zealand. His proposed address in the UK is recorded as Newbuildings, Londonderry.