![Major General John W. Stewart, C.B., 1920s; Vancouver City Archives, Port P420.1 [cropped]; http://searcharchives.vancouver.ca/major-general-john-w-stewart-c-b.](https://westendvancouver.files.wordpress.com/2018/06/major-general-john-w-stewart-1920s.jpg)
John William Stewart was a railway contractor, logging company executive, and a major-general during the First World War.
He lived at 1967 Barclay Street in 1909 and 1910.
Early Life
John (“Jack”) William Stewart was born in Nedd, Sutherland, Scotland.
His parents were William Stewart (1832-1909) and Margaret “Peggie” McLeod (about 1837-1890). They lived their entire lives in Assynt.
John was the eldest of seven children.
According to his birth registration, he was born on December 4, 1860.
Various other sources are inconsistent on the details of his birth.
- The family history websites say that he was born on December 4, 1860.
- His entry in Who’s Who in Canada, 1936-37, page 540, says that he was born in 1862.
- His death certificate gives his date of birth as December 12, 1862.
- His attestation paper for service during the First World War says that he was born on December 12, 1865.
- The 1921 Canada census gives 1868 as his birth year.
To North America
By the 1880s, John had arrived in North America. His earliest jobs included teaching, bookkeeping, and surveying.
Beginning in the 1890s he was involved in large-scale railway construction in Canada and the United States, including a long association with the contracting firms of Foley, Welch and Stewart and Northern Construction Company.
Marriage to Elizabeth Stewart
On January 31, 1894, in Helena, Montana, John married Elizabeth Jane Moran.
Elizabeth was born on November 17, 1870, probably in Iowa. Her parents were James Moran (1818-1914) and Mary Madden (1819-1901).
James Moran was born in Limerick, Ireland and he later travelled to New York State. In 1850, he married Mary Madden, and the Moran family later moved to Iowa.
Arrival in Vancouver
The Stewarts first appeared in the Vancouver directories in 1909. They lived at 1967 Barclay Street.
They lived at the following addresses in Vancouver.
| 1909 and 1910 | 1967 Barclay Street |
| 1911 to 1915 | Not listed under Vancouver names |
| 1916 | Unnumbered The Crescent (Shaughnessy Heights) |
| 1917 | 1350 The Crescent |
| 1918 | Vancouver Hotel (Mrs. J.W. Stewart) |
| 1919 | 1337 The Crescent |
| 1920 to 1938 | 1675 Angus Drive |
John’s entry in the 1911 edition of Who’s Who in Western Canada gave his residence as Prince Rupert, British Columbia, and it listed an outline of his working career to that time.
Military Service
During the First World War, John played a significant role in building railways to support the allied troops. He became a major general and received several awards, including the D.S.O. (Companion of the Distinguished Service Order); C.B. (Companion of the Bath) and C.M.G. (Companion of St. Michael and St. George).
Both before and after the war, he had many other extensive business interests in Canada, Europe and Africa.
Return to Vancouver
From 1920 to 1938, the Stewarts lived at 1675 Angus Drive, the former house of Richard Marpole, a Canadian Pacific Railway executive. (The Stewarts called the house “Ardvar,” probably after the place near John’s home at Nedd in Sutherland, Scotland.)
John and Elizabeth were prominent members of Vancouver society. Their interests included golfing and yachting, along with several areas of philanthropy.
Elizabeth died in Vancouver in 1935. She was buried in The Abbey at Ocean View Burial Park in Burnaby, British Columbia.
John died in 1938. He was buried in The Abbey at Ocean View Burial Park in Burnaby.
John and Elizabeth had a daughter.
Margaret Mary Stewart
Margaret Mary Stewart was born in Spokane, Washington, on December 6, 1894.
In 1900 she was living with her parents in Spokane.
She received some of her education in Paris, France.
During the First World War, she became an officer with the American Ambulance Corp in New York City, providing services for returned soldiers.
On July 9, 1929, in Vancouver, Margaret married Allister (“Jock”) Thompson MacLean, who was an electrical engineer. He was born in Bridgeville, Nova Scotia on March 27, 1888. His parents were John C. MacLean and Jessie Ann Thompson. During the First World War, Jock served in England and France with the Canadian Expeditionary Force. He was discharged on July 9, 1919, during the general demobilization at the end of the war.
The wedding took place at the Stewart house at 1675 Angus Avenue. (The photograph below may be of the actual wedding gathering, or perhaps it was some other large party about 1929.)
On October 30, 1938, Margaret was driving her car across the Granville Street bridge. Her eight-year-old son, Alistair was in the car with her.
As Margaret was passing another car, she lost control. Her car skidded and crashed through the guard rails on the bridge and fell into the water below the bridge. Margaret and Alistair were both drowned. They were buried in Ocean View Burial Park in Burnaby, British Columbia.
Margaret’s husband, Allister, later married Edith Hawkins.
During the Second World War he served with the Regiment of Canadian Engineers. After the war he returned to Vancouver. He was badly injured in an accident while he was inspecting the North Vancouver waterfront.
Allister died in Vancouver on July 8, 1961. He was buried in Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Burnaby, British Columbia.
Allister and Edith had a son, Ian MacLean.
Other Stewart Family Members
John’s siblings included the following.
Catherine “Katie” Stewart (1862-1948). She lived her entire life in Assynt.
Donald “Dan” Stewart (1864-1938)
He was a civil engineer who worked with Foley, Welch and Stewart.
On May 13, 1908, in Kenora, Ontario, he married Flora McKenzie (1885–1974).
He retired in 1922 and he returned to Lochinver, where he died on July 7, 1938.
Alexander Stewart (1867 – 1886)
Angus Stewart (1873 – 1953). He worked as a surveyor and railroad contractor. He emigrated to Canada in 1892.
On December 9, 1908, in New Westminster, British Columbia, he married Florence Elizabeth Sharp
He served with the Canadian military forces during the First World War.
He died at the Mission Inn in Riverside, California on January 15, 1953.
Florence Stewart died in Vancouver on May 23, 1973.
Janet “Jessie” Stewart (1873-1947). She lived in Edinburgh, Scotland after her marriage.
Sources
Note: thanks to Susan McLaren for the images of John Stewart’s birth registration, John Stewart’s funeral procession, and the MacLean automobile being retrieved after the accident in 1938, as well as information on several members of the Stewart family.
William Stewart (father of John William Stewart)
“Scotland Census, 1871,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VBGW-B4Q : 8 December 2017), William Stewart, Stoer, Moray, Scotland; from “1871 England, Scotland & Wales census,” database, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : 2012); citing p. 1, PRO T 1, The National Archives UK, Kew, Surrey; FHL microfilm 104,108.
Margaret (“Peggy”) McLeod (mother of John William Stewart)
“Scotland Census, 1871,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VBGW-B47 : 8 December 2017), Peggy Stewart, Stoer, Moray, Scotland; from “1871 England, Scotland & Wales census,” database, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : 2012); citing p. 1, PRO T 1, The National Archives UK, Kew, Surrey; FHL microfilm 104,108.
John William Stewart
The Railway Contractors, by Geoffrey W. Taylor, Victoria, British Columbia, Morriss Publishing, 1988.
J.W. Stewart, Who’s Who in Western Canada, 1911, page 352.
“Scotland Births and Baptisms, 1564-1950,” database, FamilySearch(https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FQRX-T4W : 10 February 2018), John Stewart, 04 Dec 1860; citing ASSYNT,SUTHERLAND,SCOTLAND, reference , index based upon data collected by the Genealogical Society of Utah, Salt Lake City; FHL microfilm 6,035,516.
“Scotland Census, 1871,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VBGW-B4W: 8 December 2017), John Stewart, Stoer, Moray, Scotland; from “1871 England, Scotland & Wales census,” database, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : 2012); citing p. 1, PRO T 1, The National Archives UK, Kew, Surrey; FHL microfilm 104,108.
“Montana, County Marriages, 1865-1950,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F37W-YYT : 21 September 2017), John W Stewart and Eliza Moran, 31 Jan 1894; citing Marriage, Helena, Lewis and Clarke, Montana, county courthouses, Montana; FHL microfilm 1,906,338.
“United States Census, 1900,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MMPB-66L : accessed 10 June 2018), Jno W Stewart, Clay and Carlton Precincts Spokane city Ward 3, Spokane, Washington, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 66, sheet 9A, family 199, NARA microfilm publication T623 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1972.); FHL microfilm 1,241,751.
1921 Canada Census, John W Stewart, Reference Number: RG 31; Folder Number: 19; Census Place: Point Grey (Municipality), Vancouver South, British Columbia; Page Number: 12. Ancestry.com. 1921 Census of Canada [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2013.
“British Columbia Death Registrations, 1872-1986; 1992-1993”, database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FLLL-JT1 : 8 November 2017), John William Stewart, 1938.
J.W. Stewart, death notice, Vancouver Province, September 24, 1938, page 25; Vancouver Sun, September 24, 1938, page 17; https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=xuxlAAAAIBAJ&sjid=HokNAAAAIBAJ&pg=1331%2C3326621.
“Gen. ‘Jack’ Stewart Great Engineer and Builder, Dies at 76; Heart Condition Fatal at 6:30 a.m. Today; Notable Career in Canada and Abroad; Military Funeral,” Vancouver Sun, September 24, 1938, page 1; https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=xuxlAAAAIBAJ&sjid=HokNAAAAIBAJ&pg=4967%2C3225104.
“General’s Death Closes Colorful Saga of West; Great Railroad Builder Once Was Teamster,” Vancouver Sun, September 24, 1938, page 3; https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=xuxlAAAAIBAJ&sjid=HokNAAAAIBAJ&pg=1401%2C3238601.
“General ‘Jack’ Stewart Dies; Famed Builder of Railways; Scottish Crofters’ Son Became Millionaire; Surveyed Granville Street 53 Years Ago,” Vancouver Province, September 24, 1938, pages 1 and 6.
“General J.W. Stewart,” Vancouver Province, September 26, 1938, page 4.
J.W. Stewart, death notice, Vancouver Province, September 26, 1938; Vancouver Sun, September 26, 1938, page 17; https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=x-xlAAAAIBAJ&sjid=HokNAAAAIBAJ&pg=1391%2C3567476.
“Stewart Rites on Wednesday; Military Funeral to be Attended by C.O. from Victoria,” Vancouver Province, September 26, 1938, page 2.
“Impressive Services for Gen. Stewart; Church Rites Arranged for 3 p.m. Wednesday,” Vancouver Sun, September 26, 1938, page 3; https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=x-xlAAAAIBAJ&sjid=HokNAAAAIBAJ&pg=2537%2C3492666.
“Impressive Military Tribute at rites for General Stewart,” Vancouver Province, September 28, 1938, page 13.
“Military Engineer; Noted Scot’s Death in Canada; Major General Stewart,” The Scotsman, October 10, 1938, page 11: “Major General Stewart was married in 1901 to Elizabeth [Moran], a native of Limerick, Ireland. She died in 1935. Surviving are his daughter Mrs. A. T. McLean, and a brother Major Angus Stewart, both of Vancouver, and two sisters, Mrs. Kenneth Munro, Drumbeg, Scotland and Mrs. Jessie Morrison, Edinburgh.”
James Moran (father of Elizabeth Jane Moran)
“Iowa, County Death Records, 1880-1992,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVJP-VQV9 : 16 March 2018), James Moran, 27 Aug 1914; citing Death, Cedar Rapids, Linn, Iowa, United States, page 268, offices of county clerk from various counties; FHL microfilm 1,728,033.
“Find A Grave Index,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVL4-Z99K : 13 December 2015), James Moran, 1914; Burial, Cascade, Dubuque, Iowa, United States of America, Saint Marys Cemetery; citing record ID 89066098, Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/89066098/james-moran: “James Moran; Birth: 1818, County Limerick, Ireland; Death: 24 Aug 1914 (aged 95–96), Cedar Rapids, Linn County, Iowa, USA; Burial: Saint Marys Cemetery, Cascade, Dubuque County, Iowa, USA; Memorial ID: 89066098.
Mary Madden (mother of Elizabeth Jane Moran)
“Find A Grave Index,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVL4-Z992 : 13 December 2015), Mary Moran, 1901; Burial, Cascade, Dubuque, Iowa, United States of America, Saint Marys Cemetery; citing record ID 89066137, Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/89066137/mary-moran: “Mary Madden Moran; Birth: 1819, County Tipperary, Ireland; Death: 30 Sep 1901 (aged 81–82), Cascade, Dubuque County, Iowa, USA; Burial: Saint Marys Cemetery, Cascade, Dubuque County, Iowa, USA; Memorial ID: 89066137.
Elizabeth Jane Moran (wife of John William Stewart)
“Montana, County Marriages, 1865-1950,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F37W-YY1 : 21 September 2017), John W Stewart and Eliza Moran, 31 Jan 1894; citing Marriage, Helena, Lewis and Clarke, Montana, county courthouses, Montana; FHL microfilm 1,906,338.
“United States Census, 1900,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MMPB-66G : accessed 10 June 2018), Elizabeth Stewart in household of Jno W Stewart, Clay and Carlton Precincts Spokane city Ward 3, Spokane, Washington, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 66, sheet 9A, family 199, NARA microfilm publication T623 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1972.); FHL microfilm 1,241,751.
1921 Canada Census, Elizabeth Stewart in household of John W Stewart, Reference Number: RG 31; Folder Number: 19; Census Place: Point Grey (Municipality), Vancouver South, British Columbia; Page Number: 12. Ancestry.com. 1921 Census of Canada [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2013.
Elizabeth Stewart, death notice, Vancouver Province, November 5, 1935, page 13; Vancouver Sun, November 5, 1935, page 11.
“Mrs. J. W. Stewart Dead; Pioneer and Social Leader,” Vancouver sun, November 5, 1935, page 10 (includes photograph of Mrs. Stewart).
“Death Calls Mrs. Stewart; City Social Leader Had Been Ill for Past Few Years; Philantropist,” Vancouver Province, November 5, 1935, page 3 (includes photograph of Mrs. J.W. Stewart).
“Tribute Paid to Mrs. J. W. Stewart; Prominent Citizens Attend Funeral of Social Leader,” Vancouver Province, November 6, 1935, page 4.
Margaret Mary Stewart (daughter of John William Stewart)
Washington State Archives; Olympia, Washington; Washington Births, 1891-1935. Ancestry.com. Washington, Birth Records, 1870-1935 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2010. Name: John W Stewart; Gender: Male; Spouse: Elizabeth Moran; Child: Stewart.
“United States Census, 1900,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MMPB-66P : accessed 10 June 2018), Margaret Stewart in household of Jno W Stewart, Clay and Carlton Precincts Spokane city Ward 3, Spokane, Washington, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 66, sheet 9A, family 199, NARA microfilm publication T623 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1972.); FHL microfilm 1,241,751.
1921 Canada Census, Margaret Stewart in household of John W Stewart, Reference Number: RG 31; Folder Number: 19; Census Place: Point Grey (Municipality), Vancouver South, British Columbia; Page Number: 12. Ancestry.com. 1921 Census of Canada [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2013.
“Home from Interesting Winter Trip Abroad,” [Margaret Stewart], Vancouver Sun, April 29, 1923, page 13; https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=cCllAAAAIBAJ&sjid=mogNAAAAIBAJ&pg=5903%2C6257107; “Miss Margaret Stewart, only daughter of General and Mrs. J.W. Stewart, who has just returned from an extensive journey in Europe. In company with her mother, the winter was spent at Monte Carlo, on the French Riviera, and a stay of several months was made at Loch Assynt, the estate of General and Mrs. Stewart in Scotland, for the shooting season. Miss Stewart is being entertained, since her return home, by Vancouver society at a number of smart functions.”
“Principals of MacLean-Stewart Wedding,” Vancouver Province, July 10, 1929, page 8, (includes photographs of wedding party).
“MacLean-Stewart Wedding on Tuesday Brilliant Event of International Interest,” Vancouver Sun, July 10, 1929, page 6; https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=6m9mAAAAIBAJ&sjid=6IgNAAAAIBAJ&pg=1064%2C1042948.
Miss Stewart Weds at Impressive Ceremony, Vancouver Sun, July 10, 1929, page 6; https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=6m9mAAAAIBAJ&sjid=6IgNAAAAIBAJ&pg=2810%2C1042748.
“British Columbia Death Registrations, 1872-1986; 1992-1993”, database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FLLG-4ZK : 8 November 2017), Margaret Maclean, 1938.
“Eye-Witnesses Describe Car’s Death Plunge; Heavy Sedan Skids on Granville Street Bridge, smashes through Rail into Twelve Feet of Water,” Vancouver Sun, October 31, 1938, pages 1-2 (includes photograph of Margaret MacLean and her son, Alistair.).
“Death Car hauled from False Creek,” Vancouver Sun, October 31, 1938, page 9.
“Met Tragic Death,” Vancouver Province, October 31, 1938, page 2 (includes photograph of Margaret MacLean and Allistair Stewart Maclean).
“Begin Enquiry into the Death of Mother, Son; Mrs. A.T. MacLean and Child Plunge From Bridge Into Creek; Through Rail,” Vancouver Province, October 31, 1938, pages 1-2 (includes photographs of accident scene).
Margaret MacLean, death notice, Vancouver Province, November 1, 1938, page 13; Vancouver Sun, November 1, 1938, page 13; https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=sPBlAAAAIBAJ&sjid=J4kNAAAAIBAJ&pg=1345%2C79155
“Vancouver’s Obsolete Bridges,” Vancouver Sun, November 1, 1938, page 1.
Safeguards for Bridge; Higher Curbs, Speed Limit of Twenty Miles Advocated; Verdict Declared that Mother and Son Were Drowned but Attaches No Blame,” Vancouver Province, November 1, 1938, page 5.
“Last Rites Held for Mother, Son,” Vancouver Province, November 3, 1938, page 6.
“MacLean Funeral Rites Wednesday,” Vancouver Sun, November 1, 1938, page 12; https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=sPBlAAAAIBAJ&sjid=J4kNAAAAIBAJ&pg=1126%2C74045.
Mother and Son Buried Side by Side; Requiem Mass Sung for Two Bridge Crash Victims,” Vancouver Sun, November 2, 1938, page 1; https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=sfBlAAAAIBAJ&sjid=J4kNAAAAIBAJ&pg=4680%2C129762.
Allister Thompson MacLean (husband of Margaret Mary Stewart)
Canadian Expeditionary Force; Name: Maclean, Allister Thompson; Rank: CPT; Date of Birth: 27/03/1888; Reference: RG 150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 7032 – 2; Item Number: 161547; Record Group: Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF); http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/military-heritage/first-world-war/personnel-records/Pages/item.aspx?IdNumber=161547; digitized service file: B7032-S002; http://central.bac-lac.gc.ca/.item/?op=pdf&app=CEF&id=B7032-S002.
“British Columbia Death Registrations, 1872-1986; 1992-1993”, database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FLT9-PY7 : 8 November 2017), Allister Thomas Maclean, 1961; http://search-collections.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/Image/Genealogy/828df64c-d491-4a3d-95f1-339ccd0b278c.
“Brigadier Maclean funeral Wednesday,” Vancouver Province, July 10, 1961, columns 1-3 (includes photograph of Brig. A.T. MacLean).
“Retired Army Officer Dies at 73,” Vancouver Sun, July 10, 1961, page 6.
Allister Thomas MacLean, death notice, Vancouver Province, July 10, 1961, page 19; Vancouver Sun, July 10, 1961, page 23.
Alastair Stewart MacLean (son of Margaret Mary Stewart)
Alastair Stewart MacLean, death notice, Vancouver Province, November 1, 1938, page 13; Vancouver Sun, November 1, 1938, page 13; https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=sPBlAAAAIBAJ&sjid=J4kNAAAAIBAJ&pg=1345%2C79155.
Donald Stewart (brother of John William Stewart)
Donald Stewart (1864–1938); Birth: 16 OCT 1864, Nedd Assynt, Sutherland, Scotland; Death: 7 JUL 1938, Lochinver, Sutherland, Scotland (ancestry.ca).
“Ontario Marriages, 1869-1927,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KSZV-M45 : 11 March 2018), Donald Stewart and Flora Mackenzie, 13 May 1908; citing registration , Kenora, Rainy River, Ontario, Canada, Archives of Ontario, Toronto; FHL microfilm 1,871,869.
“Recensement du Canada de 1911,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV39-DC2B : 16 March 2018), Donald Stewart, 1911; citing Census, Comox-Atlin Sub-Districts 1-52, British Columbia, Canada, Library and Archives of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario; FHL microfilm 2,417,658.
Flora Mackenzie (wife of Donald Stewart)
Flora McKenzie (1885–1974); Birth: 1 AUG 1885, Culkien Drumbeg Assynt Scotland; Death: 21 JUL 1974, Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland (ancestry.ca).
“Ontario Marriages, 1869-1927,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KSZV-M4Y : 11 March 2018), Donald Stewart and Flora Mackenzie, 13 May 1908; citing registration , Kenora, Rainy River, Ontario, Canada, Archives of Ontario, Toronto; FHL microfilm 1,871,869.
“Recensement du Canada de 1911,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV39-DC21 : 16 March 2018), Flora Stewart in entry for Donald Stewart, 1911; citing Census, Comox-Atlin Sub-Districts 1-52, British Columbia, Canada, Library and Archives of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario; FHL microfilm 2,417,658.
Angus Stewart (brother of John William Stewart)
Angus Stewart (1873–1937); Birth: 22 JUN 1873, Nedd Assynt Sutherland Scotland; Death: AFT. 1937, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (ancestry.ca).
“Scotland Births and Baptisms, 1564-1950”, database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FQRF-3WY : 12 February 2020), Angus Stewart, 1873.
“Canada Census, 1901,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KH24-55W : 16 December 2019), Angus Stewart in household of Daniel Brown, Algoma, Ontario, Canada; citing p. 12, Library and Archives of Canada, Ottawa.
“British Columbia Marriage Registrations, 1859-1932; 1937-1938,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JD8F-JVD : 6 April 2020), Angus Stewart and Florence E Sharp, 09 Dec 1908; citing New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada, British Columbia Archives film number B11382, Vital Statistics Agency, Victoria; FHL microfilm 1,983,975.
“Recensement du Canada de 1911,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV39-DCKB : 16 March 2018), Angus Stewart, 1911; citing Census, Comox-Atlin Sub-Districts 1-52, British Columbia, Canada, Library and Archives of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario; FHL microfilm 2,417,658.
“California Death Index, 1940-1997,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VPK4-MX2 : 26 November 2014), Angus Stewart, 15 Jan 1953; Department of Public Health Services, Sacramento.
Florence Elizabeth Shaw (wife of Angus Stewart)
“British Columbia Marriage Registrations, 1859-1932; 1937-1938,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JD8F-JVC : 6 April 2020), Angus Stewart and Florence E Sharp, 09 Dec 1908; citing New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada, British Columbia Archives film number B11382, Vital Statistics Agency, Victoria; FHL microfilm 1,983,975.
“Recensement du Canada de 1911,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV39-DCK1 : 16 March 2018), Florence Stewart in entry for Angus Stewart, 1911; citing Census, Comox-Atlin Sub-Districts 1-52, British Columbia, Canada, Library and Archives of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario; FHL microfilm 2,417,658.
“British Columbia Death Registrations, 1872-1986; 1992-1993”, database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FLBJ-4L3 : 8 November 2017), Florence Elizabeth Stewart, 1973; http://search-collections.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/Image/Genealogy/467c93ca-3371-449c-8954-1a53c2eb5630.
WestEndVancouver 
I greatly enjoyed reading this, as my great-uncle Duncan Corbett, from Kinlochbervie, Sutherland, about 30 miles by road, and less as the seagull flies, from Jack Stewart’s birthplace, was his chauffeur from shortly after the Great War – in which Duncan had served as an Army Service Corps driver and mechanic. From my research, however, his birth certificate, of which I saw a copy at Highland Archive Centre, Inverness, Scotland, where I live, shows his birth date as 12th December 1860. As a former journalist and reserve army officer, I recently completed an article on Jack Stewart’s vital contribution to victory in the Great War. He is a forgotten hero of the conflict.
Hello Willie,
Thank you for getting in touch, and for providing the information about John Stewart’s birth date. I am updating the biography that I wrote for him. I understand that he was often quite a private person, and he seems to have been either secretive or casual about his date of birth, since the various sources are inconsistent on this point.
Thanks again for your help.
Robert
You state: ‘His birth certificate at the Highland Archive Centre, Inverness, Scotland, gives December 12, 1860 as his birthdate.’ No it doesn’t. That is the date the birth was registered. Sadly Willie Morrison (usually to be trusted) is wrong! 4 December 1860 is correct (and I live in Assynt). His parents married in February 1860.
Hello Malcolm,
Thank you for this information. I have removed the reference to December 12, 1860.
Robert
Hi Robert
There is quite a lot I could add but for the moment worth saying that his nephews Alexander and William Munro are commemorated on our local war memorial in Lochinver.
Second Lieutenant Alexander (Alick) Munro of the ScottishRifles died of wounds at Rouen aged 23 on 5 January 1916. William was killed in Flanders aged 39 in 1944. They were the sons of Kenneth Munro and Catherine (Katie) Stewart, younger sister of JWS. Kenneth died in Drumbeg a crofter aged 69 in 1913; Catherine died there aged 85 in 1948.
We had intended to get to the west of Canada last year but failed and this year is not looking good. We have been to the Maritimes and Ontario many times but that doesn’t count
Best wishes
Malcolm
Hello again, Malcolm,
Thank you for this additional information.
Robert