Stewart J A Lt 2nd Royal Munster Fusiliers
STEWART, JAMES AUGUSTUS, Lieut., 2nd Battn. The Royal Munster Fusiliers, only s. of James Augustus Stewart, of Buncrana, Loch Swilly, co. Donegal, J.P. (who has since died), by his wife, Ann Wilhelmina Jean, dau. of the late William Wray, of Oakpark, co. Donegal, and nephew of the late Sir Augustus Abraham James Stewart, of Fort Stewart, 9th Bart.; b. Fort Stewart, Rathmelton, co. Donegal, 17 Aug. 1894; educ. at Rossall and Royal Military College, Sandhurst, from which he was gazetted to the 2nd Battn. Royal Munster Fusiliers, 12 Aug. 1914, being attached to the 3rd Battn. for a short time, and promoted Lieut. 28 Nov. following. He went to the Front, 4 Jan. 1915, was wounded in action at [place unknown], and had only rejoined his battn. on recovery a few days, when he was returned as wounded and missing after the fighting at Neuve Chapelle on 9 May, 1915. His company officer, Capt. T. W. Filgate, wrote: “On Sunday morning, the 9th, we made an attack on the German trenches just south of Neuve Chapelle. Your son was seen to fall while very gallantly leading his platoon to the assault. I very much regret that nothing further is known of him. His manner, coolness and dash was a splendid example to all. It may be a little consolation to you to know that we were the only regt. to reach a part of the German first line, and this was largely due to the bravery of a few officers and men like your son, who so gallantly led the assault. His name will never be forgotten in the regt., and we are all very proud of the many officers and men who fell.” The following passage is taken from a letter which appeared in the “Cork Examiner” of 17 Jan. 1915: “Two minutes later I, too, followed in his wake (i.e., over the parapets). I was happy to follow in the trail of another brave Munster officer. There was no hesitation about him -no halting-no get here nor there, but simply “Follow me, men.” As to his subsequent fate I know nothing. I have not seen him since, and I would not commit myself to any statement. He was Lieut. Stewart, 2nd Battn. Royal Munster Fusiliers.” Lieut. Stewart was unm.
Source : De Ruvigny’s Roll Of Honour Vol 1