Key Information
Name: Edgar Marsden Stewardson,
DoB: April 13, 1891,
Regt: Rifleman S/15955 Rifle Brigade.
DoD: Sept. 18, 1916.
Academic Career: CGS Jan 1905 – July, 1906.
Biographical Information:
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Family Background:
Edgar was the fourth of eight children born to John Stewardson and Margaret Marsden. In 1911 Edgar was an assistant laundry manager, father John ran the laundry. The family had humble origins: a story from the Ancestry website reveals that John was illegitimate, born to Maria Stewardson whilst in the Union Workhouse in Ulverston. The boy was then adopted by his maternal grandparents and took his mother’s name.
Edgar’s older sister Amy died in childhood.
Older brother John and his wife had a second son in 1917 whose middle name was Edgar, probably in memory of his brother, killed the year before.
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Academic Record:
CGS 1905-6
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War Service:
The third phase of the Battle of the Somme began on September 15 with an advance along a six mile front, Flers, Martinpuich, Courcelette and High Wood were captured although there was a delay at Les Boeufs. Courcelette was actually the first time tanks had ever been employed.
Edgar is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.
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Battalion:
11th Battalion Rifle Brigade (The Prince Consort’s Own). On August 22 1916 this brigade was part of the 20th Light Division commanded by Major General W. Douglas-Smith.
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Other:
Story from the Ancestry site: Agnes Barnett born c1806 married John Stewardson (Stuardson) a fisherman from Coniston They had five children , one of them a daughter Maria. John died sometime around 1840 and Agnes subsequently married George Robinson from Egremont. Agnes and John’s daughter Maria bore a son whom she called John, whilst residing in the Union Workhouse in Ulverston. This son was then “adopted” / looked after by his grandmother and step grandfather Agnes and George Robinson in Dalton Ulverston Lancashire and can be seen living together as such in the 1861 census.*
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Sources:
Carlisle School Memorial Register 1264-1924
b) Census: 1911 RG14/31318;
1901 RG13/4866
c) family members via ancestry