4th Battalion, Royal Dublin Fusiliers (British Army)
Date Of Birth:
01/06/1891
Died:
16/08/1917 (Killed in Action)
Age:
26
Summary
Joseph Stewart was the eldest son of Robert and Essie Margaret Stewart. They were married about 1890. Joseph was born on 1st June 1891 in Coalisland, Co. Tyrone. The family lived in Gortin, Tullyniskane, Tyrone. Robert Stewart was a miller. The 1910 Ulster Towns Directory records “Stewart, Robert, & Son, corn and wheat millers, Gortin Mills, Coalisland”. Lance Corporal Joseph Stewart (29444), served with the 10th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. 2nd Lieut. Joseph Stewart was serving with the 4th Battalion of the Royal Dublin Fusiliers when he was killed in action near Ypres on the 16th August 1917. He was aged 26.
Further Information
Joseph Stewart was the eldest son of Robert and Essie Margaret Stewart. Robert Stewart and Essie Shannon were married on 9th September 1890 in the district of Banbridge.
Joseph Stewart was born on 1st June 1891. He had a twin sister, Essie. They were the oldest of six children, three surviving, all born in the Coalisland area.
Family: Robert Stewart, Essie Margaret Stewart, Joseph Stewart (born 1st June 1891, twin)
Essie Stewart (born 1st June 1891, twin), John Kelso Stewart (born 13th January 1895), Robert Stewart (born 22nd September 1897, died 13th January 1898), Eleanor Stewart (born 25th October 1899, died 1st July 1900), Mary Stewart (born 22nd January 1903, died 25th October 1903).
The 1901 census records Joseph as 9 years old. The family lived in Gortin, Tullyniskane, Tyrone. Robert Stewart was a miller.
Joseph Stewart was educated at Coleraine Academical Institution, and prior to joining the army, assisted his father in business.
The 1910 Ulster Towns Directory records “Stewart, Robert, & Son, corn and wheat millers, Gortin Mills, Coalisland”.
By the time of the 1911 census Joseph Stewart was a merchant miller, like his father. The family still lived in Gortin, Tullyniskane, Tyrone. Joseph was 19 years old.
1916
Private Joseph Stewart enlisted in the Ulster Division in June 1916 with the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (Service No 29444), and having finished his period of training, was sent to France.
1917
After considerable experience at the front, he returned home for the purpose of qualifying for his commission and proceeded to Bristol Cadet School, and in April 1917 was posted to the 16th Division stationed in Mullingar.
In June 1917, he went with a draft to France and took part in the heavy fighting in which the Irish Regiments so greatly distinguished themselves.
From the Belfast Newsletter dated 22nd June 1917:
Mr Joseph Stewart, who has been granted a commission in the Royal Dublin Fusiliers, is the second son of Mr Robert Stewart, Coalisland. He was educated at Coleraine Academical Institution, and volunteered as a private some time ago in the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.
2nd Lieut. Joseph Stewart was serving with the 4th Battalion of the Royal Dublin Fusiliers when he was killed in action near Ypres on the 16th August 1917. He was aged 26.
From the Belfast Newsletter dated 23rd August 1917:
Sergeant Herbert Curry Johnston, Royal Irish Fusiliers, youngest son of Mr David Johnston, J.P., Grace Hall, Lurgan, is missing. An elder brother, Lieutenant John Ernest Johnston, South Staffordshire Regiment, has been killed, and another brother, Corporal David P Johnston, is serving with the Royal Engineers.
From the Tyrone Courier and News dated Thursday 30 August 1917:
Second Lieutenant Joseph Stewart, Royal Dublin Fusiliers, killed in action on 15th August, was a son of Mr Robert Stewart, Corn Mills, Coalisland. The deceased officer, who was only 26 years of age, enlisted in the Ulster Division in June 1916, and having finished his period of training, was sent to France. After considerable experience at the front, he returned home for the purpose of qualifying for his commission and proceeded to Bristol Cadet School, and in April was posted to the 16th Division stationed in Mullingar. In June, he went with a draft to France and took part in the heavy fighting in which the Irish Regiments so greatly distinguished themselves. He was educated at Coleraine Academical Institution, and prior to joining the army, assisted his father in business. The bereaved family are assured the sympathy of a wide circle of friends.
1918
Joseph’s brother, Captain John Kelso Stewart, served with the Royal Army Medical Corps. He survived the war.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 27th July 1918: John Kelso Stewart (brother of Joseph Stewart)
STEWART – 16th July, at Ballymaguire, Stewartstown, County Tyrone, to Captain J K Stewart, Royal Army Medical Corps, and Mrs Stewart, a daughter.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 17th August 1918:
STEWART – In loving memory of Joseph, Second Lieutenant, Royal Dublin Fusiliers, killed in action on 16th August 1917 (interred at Frezeuberg, Flanders), eldest son of Robert and Essie M Stewart, Flour Mills, Coalisland.
Last Will and Testament
His will, created on 5th October 1916 records that Lance Corporal Joseph Stewart (29444) was serving with the 10th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.
In his will, Joseph bequeaths 500 pounds to his sister Esther Stewart and the rest to his father Robert.
Memorials
Second Lieutenant Joseph Stewart has no known grave and is commemorated on Tyne Cot Memorial.
Second Lieutenant Joseph Stewart is commemorated locally on the Newmills Parish Church WWI Roll of Honour.
The CWGC records Joseph as the son of Robert and Mrs E M Stewart of Flour Mills, Coalisland, County Tyrone.
