A while ago the Viva-Lancia Editor made a plea for help with finding information about WL Stewart, the early London Lancia Concessionaire.
As an International subscriber to Ancestry.com I’ve made some progress, but believe that a collective, collaborative effort is needed to pull it all together, verify the details, and maybe solve some mysteries. Jack Romano has agreed that I publish my findings so far on the LMC Forum to see if we can make some more progress.
Placing the events in chronological order to make a timeline, here’s what I’ve uncovered so far:
Walter Leonard Stewart’s mother Frances Caroline Southwell was born sometime between October and December in 1845 in Stepney, Middlesex. According to 1871 census records, she was the daughter of Edward J. Southwell (born circa 1821, Hants, Winchester), “Clerk to the Board of Guardians, and Superintendant Registrar at Mile End Old Town”.
1881 census records show that WL Stewart’s father was Alex Stewart (born circa 1827 Barnet, Herts), a retired Schoolmaster, and that his mother, older brother Alex Leslie Stewart (born circa 1878), and twin sisters Hilda and Estella were living at “16 Vanburgh Park Greenwich". (WL Stewart wasn’t born yet.)
According to the 1891 census records, Walter Leonard Stewart was born in 1883 in Blackheath Kent, and shows that he was living with his widowed mother Frances C Stewart and his two sisters at “52 Vanbrugh [sic] Park, Greenwich”.
On the 21st of April 1906, WL Stewart married Constance May Spalding at St. Judes Church Kensington. His address at the time is given as “2 Cedar House, Cheniston Gardens”, and her address as “50 Harrington Gardens”.
1911 census records show that Walter Leonard Stewart, “Director, Automobile Coy” was living at 25 Holland Park Gardens, Kensington (a property owned by his father-in-law Walter Spalding), together with his wife, sons, Peter Graham Stewart (4 years) and Francis Ian Walter Stewart (2 years), and brother-in-law, Cuthbert Guy Spalding (28 years).
British Army WWI medal roll index cards list a Private Walter L Stewart of the Y. & L.R. regiment Regtl. No. 34016 that received the British & Victory Medals (page 2114), but I’ve not yet been able to confirm that this is our Walter Leonard Stewart.
The 1930 Electoral Rolls for London Kensington show:
3106 R – Stewart, Peter Graham and
3107 R O Stewart, Walter Leonard
both of Prince of Wales Terrace, Abode 21, Knightsbridge. S.W.
The London Gazette of 21st March 1941 (1666) states:
The undermentioned Pilot Officers are granted the war substantive rank of Flying Officer: —
Walter Leonard STEWART (75322).
The next time WL Stewart surfaces is in the 1948 Electoral Roll for Holland Ward, Holland Park Avenue:
2519 Stewart, Walter L. 141
Searches through England Wales Death Index for 1916 to 2005 don’t seem to turn up our WL Stewart, although a Francis I.W. Stewart (most probably his son) is listed as having died during April to June 1949, aged 40 in Hailsham, Vol 5h page 258.
A Peter G. Stewart (probably his other son) is listed as having died during April to June 1968, aged 61 in St. Albans, Vol 4B page 230.
I have copies of all the sources I’m quoting, but believe that posting them all here right now, might lead to brain fade!
Diana Williamson has also done some sterling work on the subject, and I’ve let her know about this thread too.
Regards,
