Stuart: James Stewart McGuinness (1887–1918)

James Stewart McGuinness, called Stuart, was the eldest child of James and Nelly. He was born in Felling in the December quarter of 1887 (Gateshead 10a 772). confirmed At 13 he was a scholar at Shanid House. After his father's death he helped his mother run the drapery business. likely

War service

He enlisted at Newcastle upon Tyne as Private 30081 in the Royal Dublin Fusiliers and went to France after January 1916. He was later transferred as Private 26231 to the 7th (South Irish Horse) Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment, part of the 16th (Irish) Division and later the 30th Division. likely

Death and burial

Stuart was killed in action on 8.8.1918, aged 30 and single. He is buried at Westoutre British Cemetery, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium, grave L. 4. confirmed

CWGC additional information: “Son of Mrs. E. McGuinness, of Shanid House, Felling-on-Tyne.”

His mother paid for a personal inscription on his headstone: “Dearest Love We Are Ever With You – Mother Brother And Sisters”. She received his British War Medal and Victory Medal. likely

Family memory remembers that Stuart died in 1917. The war-grave record gives 8.8.1918.

Memorials

Stuart is named on the war memorials at Felling. He also appears as “Stuart McGuinness” at Windy Nook, and on the family headstone at St Mary's, Heworth. (North East War Memorials Project)