Archibald John Ewart
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
He was the son of Archibald D and Clara Helen Ewart of 1 Postern Street Nottingham and the brother of Charles, Mary, Frank and Alexander Ewart. Another brother, Tom Victor, died 20 September 1903 aged 6 years, and is buried in Nottingham Church (Rock) Cemetery. In 1901 Archibald and Clara were living with their family at 41 Park Row, Nottingham, in the parish of St Thomas. As well as their five children, Archibald (5), Charles D (4), Tom Victor (3), Mary G (1) and Frank B. (3 months) there were three other people in the household, a boarder, James Davidson (26), and two female servants, Ethel Whittingham (14) and Ann Gilsthorpe (42). By 1911 the family had moved to Postern Street where Archibald, who was 15 years old, was assisting in his father's business at the same address. In the intervening decade, a younger brother, Tom, had died, but his parents had had another son, Alexander, who was then 5 years old. Clara Helen, died 17 November 1922 aged 50 years. The “Guardian Journal”’s obituary of his father, who died in 1961 aged 95, stated that Mr A W D Ewart, of 32 Addison Street, Nottingham was a life long bowls player and, until 1959, the managing director of E W D Ewart, outfitters and drapers of St James’ Terrace, Nottingham. Three sons and a daughter outlived him, two of them managing the business.
He was attached to 8th Bn WRR. It is likely that Ewart died in the Battle of Thiepval Ridge that occurred during the Battle of the Somme between 26th – 30th September 1916. In the war diaries it states that:“Thursday 28th SeptemberTemperature 73FWeather: Fine, with some heavy showers at night.II Corps11th Division32Brigade took over the right sector of 11th Division and was to capture Stuff redoubt using 8th Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment) which had put two companies in Zollern trench to take Hessian Trench and the troops in Stuff redoubt to complete the capture of the Redoubt.At 6 pm, zero hour, the Duke’s were not ready and the hour passed. A bombing attempt was made in the Redoubt but ground taken could not be held; 33 Brigade patrolled close to Stuff Trench.”Buried Villers-Bretonneux Military Cemetery (grave ref III.C.16)
Family headstone, Nottingham Church (Rock) Cemetery: 'Pro Patria. Sec Lieut A J Ewart, killed in action in France, Sep 28th 1916, aged 21.'Probate: Ewart Archibald John of 1 Postern Street, Nottingham, temporary second-lieutenant HM Army, died 28 September 1916 in France. Administration Nottingham 24 July to Archibald William Douglas Ewart [father] draper. Effects £77 7s 1d.Entry 1576 in St Thomas' register of baptisms which includes a record of the deaths of those who fell in the Great War: 'Archibald John Ewart. 2nd Lt West Riding, 11th. October 1916 [CWGC 28 September 1916]. Killed in France.'
