Pte. Henry Stewart

Henry Stewart was born in Tauranga on 7 December 1888 (reg. 1889/17549). His parents were William John and Sarah Stewart (nee Turner) who had married at St Mary's in Belfast on 13 February 1874. Katikati settler William John Stewart brought a consignment of blackbirds, thrushes and starlings to New Zealand on board the Lady Jocelyn in 1878. He was also the father of the first European child born in Katikati. Henry worked as a coach driver for R.M. Coaching Co. (Rotorua Motor Coaching Co. Ltd.). On 5 April 1916 Rev. Chapman married Henry to Elsie Christmas at Matata (reg. 1916/5952). Her parents were Edwin John and Laura Christmas (nee Burt) who married in Auckland on 23 August 1893. Henry enlisted to fight during World War I, on 4 July 1917, and served with the Canterbury Infantry Regiment (Service No. 62405). His last recorded rank was Private. He was admitted to hospital suffering from influenza on 29 September 1917 while training at Trentham. His discharge date was 5 October 1917. Henry died of his wounds in France on 24 October 1918, aged 29. He was buried in Viesly Communal Cemetery, Department of Nord, France. Henry's name appears on the Tauranga Memorial Gates. Elsie remarried to Charles William Chapman on 23 February 1921. Biography by Debbie McCauley (10 December 2014) http://tauranga.kete.net.nz/remembering_war/topics/show/2392