Name
Fergus Stewart
17 Aug 1891
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
27/08/1914
23
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Corporal
9166
Royal Munster Fusiliers
2nd Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 (Mons) Star (with Clasp & Roses), British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
ETREUX BRITISH CEMETERY
I. 8.
France
Headstone Inscription
ON HIS SOUL SWEET JESUS HAVE MERCY R.I.P.
UK & Other Memorials
Not on the Whitwell memorials
Pre War
Fergus Xavier Wyndham Stewart was born in Spitaltongue, Northumberland on 17 Aug 1891, the son of Fergus William Stewart and Anna Calitra (nee Dalley) and was baptised on 13 Sep 1891 at St Mary's Church, Clayton Street, Newcastle Upon Tyne, Northumberland. He was one of four children.
On the 1901 Census he is listed as Xavier and living with his mother, Frances Mary (born 1894), Loyola Archibald (born 1895) and Harold (born 1899) at 3 Hawthorn Cottages in St Helier, Jersey, Channel Islands. (N.B. his mother was born in Jersey). His father was not listed with them.
Fergus enlisted some time in 1909 as Private 9166 with the 2nd Battalion, Royal Munster Fusiliers (possibly on the normal 7 years with colours and 5 years on reserve). On the 1911 Census living in barracks at South Tidworth, Hampshire. His parents with Loyola and Harold were then living at 388 Northampton Buildings, Clerkenwell, where his father was working as a Clerk for a Rubber Company.
His parents came to live at Eagle and Child Inn, High Street, Whitwell, by the late 1920s.
Wartime Service
Fergus was already a serving soldier at the outbreak of war with the 2nd Battalion, Royal Munster Fusiliers. He went to France with His Battalion as part of 1st (Guards) Brigade, 1 Division landing at Le Havre on 14 Aug 1914. At the battle of Mons (23-24 Aug 1914) his Battalion were in reserve and afterwards were in the retreat.
By 26 Aug 1914 the retreat of 1 Corps needed to pass through the bottleneck of Guise to continue south. The 2nd Munsters were the ultimate rear guard and were detailed to hold positions at Wassingly and Fesmy. At about 10.30 on 27 Aug 1914 they came under enemy fire and held the advancing Germans until about 7 pm when the Munsters, while attempting to retreat through Etreux and Guise were being attacked from three sides. By 9 pm they were out of ammunition and were overwhelmed. Casualties were 4 officers and 256 Other Ranks. Fergus was killed in this action on 27 Aug 1914 known as the Rear Guard Action at Etreux, which by delaying the German Advance and allowing the I Corps of BEF to continue their retreat the Germans towards the south.
Additional Information
His father received a war gratuity of £6 and pay owing of £8 8s 11d. His Pension card exists no pension recorded.
Dependant was named as Mr Fergus Stewart of 5 Maclise Road, West Kensington, London. This address was later amended to 52 Warbeck Road, Shepherds Bush London,
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
Jonty Wild
