Robert Stewart
1911 - errand boy
- Family History
- Military history
- Extra information
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Robert McBurney/McBurnie Stewart was the son of Francis Fairfield Stewart and his wife Annie Maria (née Stapleton).
His father Francis was born in Nottingham in October 1875, the son of Frank and Ellen Stewart, and was baptised at Nottingham St Ann in January 1877. His mother Annie was born in 1876, also in Nottingham.
Francis and Annie were married at Radford Christ Church on 6 April 1896 and they had two chlidren, Robert McBurney b. 1896 (AMJ) and Mary Elizabeth birth registered 1898 (JFM) died 1898 (JAS).
Francis, a lace dresser, Annie, a box maker, and their son Robert were living at 2 Cherry Street, Nottingham in 1901. In the household was a male boarder who also was a lace dresser.
The couple had separated by 1911 when Frank, a general labourer (iron foundry), was living at 18 Lily Street, Nottingham, with his parents and his three siblings, the only four surviving children of 13.
The same year, Annie Stewart and her two children, Robert, an errand boy, and Ivy (Ivy Morley Stewart b. 1908) were living at 7 Guys Terrace, Blue Bell Hill, Nottingham, in the home of Edward Morley (40, unmarried), an auctioneer's porter. Annie's occupation was given as housekeeper.
Edward Morley had moved to 31 Cooper Street, Nottingham, by 1921. Annie and Ivy were still in the household; Annie was described as a boarder, occupation housekeeper, and Ivy was listed as 'boarder's daughter'.
Edward Morley died at his home on 10 September 1935 and was buried in Nottingham General Cemetery.
Ivy Morley (sic) had married William A Smith (b. 1907) in 1930 and in 1939 when the England & Wales Register was compiled, William was an electrician and also a special constable, his wife and their two daughters, Shirley and Barbara, were living at 183 Parkdale Road, Nottingham. Also in the household was Ivy's mother, Annie Stewart.
At the time of Annie's death on 30 November 1950 she was living at 2 Goodwood Road, Wollaton. She was buried in Nottingham General Cemetery on 4 December in the same plot as her son and Edward Morley.
Annie's husband Francis, a fitter's labourer, was recorded as a visitor at Sneinton House Hostel, Boston Street, Nottingham, in 1939. He died in hospital in 1955 aged 79 (cremation 25 October); the probate record gave his address as Sneinton House, Boston Street.
Private Robert (Bob) Stewart, 4th Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regiment), died on 28 January 1918 in the War Hospital, Sunderland, from septic poisoning.
His body was brought home to his family and he was buried in Nottingham General Cemetery on 1 February (grave ref. 2830).
Commemorated at St. Mary's Church, High Pavement, Nottingham, on the Parish War Memorial and on a Roll of Honour inside the church: 'Robert Stewart, 4th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters.'
CWGC Additional information: Son of Mrs Annie Stewart, of 31, Cooper Street, Nottingham.
Inscription on gravestone, Nottingham General Cemetery: ‘In loving memory of Pte Robert (Bob) Stewart who died Jan 28th 1918 aged 21 years. Dearly loved by all. Also of Edward Morley who died Sept 10th 1935 aged 64 years. Also Annie M Stewart, who died Nov. 30th 1950, aged 74 years.’
Registers of Soldiers Effects: A payment was made to his mother, Annie, in June 1918 and one made to his father, Francis F., in December 1919.
WW1 Pension Ledgers: Named his mother, Mrs Annie Stewart, 31 Cooper Street, Nottingham.
Nottingham Evening Post, 'Roll of Honour', 1 February 1918: 'Stewart. On the 28th inst., Pte. Robert (Bob) Stewart, died in hospital from septic poisoning of the lip, very suddenly. One day I shall understand. From his ever-loving and sorrowing sweetheart.'
Above courtesy Jim Grundy facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Deaths’, 12 September 1935: ‘Morley. September 10th, at 31 Cooper-street. Edward, aged 64. Late with Place and Kirk. Funeral Friday 2.0pm.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Probate: Stewart Annie Maria of 2 Goodwood-road Wollaton Nottingham (wife of Francis Fairfield Stewart) died 30 November 1950 Probate Nottingham 5 January to Ivy Smith married woman. Effects £346 3s. 4d.
Probate: Stewart Francis Fairfield of Sneinton House, Boston-street Nottingham died 21 October 1955 at The Sherwood Hospital Nottingham Administration Nottingham 5 November to Alice Bulmer (wife of John Thomas Bulmer). Effects £219 8s. Note: Alice Bulmer née Stewart (m. 1913), Francis's sister. Cremation 25 October.
Francis Fairfield Stewart served in the First World War. 9752 Private 17th Labour Coy, Labour Corps, discharged 25 May 1919. Previously 29647 Private Lincolnshire Regiment. British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Addendum by Gary Crosby.
Additional research/record updated (RF Dec. 2025)
Photo of Robert Stewart
Grave/headstone, Nottingham General Cemetery. Photograph Gary Crosby (21 Aug. 2022).