49th Battalion, Australian Infantry (Australian Army)
Date Of Birth:
11/11/1892
Died:
14/08/1916 (Killed in Action)
Age:
23
Summary
Stewart Faulkner was the oldest son of Adam John and Annie Falconer. It seems the family name was Falconer until they moved to Australia. After which it became Faulkner. Stewart Falconer was born on 11th November 1892 in Kilrea, County Londonderry. The family lived at Killygullib Glebe, Hervey Hill, Upperlands, County Londonderry. They were a farming family. Stewart was employed for about four years on the clerical staff of William Clarke and Sons Ltd, Upperlands. The family emigrated to Australia around 1911-12. Stewart Faulkner was a farmer living at Yorklea, Casino, New South Wales when he enlisted in August 1915. He joined the 49th Battalion in Egypt in February 1916. In June, they arrived in Marseille and proceed to the front in France. Private Stewart Faulkner was serving with the 49th when he was killed in action in France on 14th August 1916.
Further Information
Stewart Faulkner was the oldest son of Adam John and Annie Falconer. It seems Adam Falconer married Annie Power in England.
It seems the family name was Falconer until they moved to Australia. After which it became Faulkner.
Stewart Falconer was born on 11th November 1892 in Kilrea, County Londonderry.
Family: Adam Falconer, Annie Falconer, Mary Falconer (born 10th December 1890, died 30th July 1894, Kilrea), Stewart Falconer (born 11th November 1892, Kilrea), Mary Annie Falconer (born 6th February 1895, Kilrea), John Power Falconer (born 12th April 1897, Kilrea), Thomas James Falconer (born 9th July 1899, Kilrea), Edith Jane Falconer (born 6th October 1903, Kilrea), Rosaline Falconer (born 6th July 1909, Kilrea).
The 1901 census lists Stewart as age 8 living with the family at house 45 in Killygullib Glebe, Hervey Hill, County Londonderry. Hervey Hill lies south of Kilrea in the Magherafelt district. They were a farming family.
The 1911 census lists Stewart as age 18 living with the family at house 73 in Killygullib Glebe, Hervey Hill, Upperlands, Londonderry. Stewart was working as a clerk.
Stewart was employed for about four years on the clerical staff of Messrs William Clarke and Sons Ltd., Upperlands.
The family emigrated to Australia around 1911-12.
Stewart Faulkner enlisted with the Australian Imperial Force on 9th August 1915. He was a farmer. He gave his next of kin has his father, A J Faulkner who was living at Yorklea, Casino, New South Wales, Australia.
Private Stewart Faulkner embarked from Brisbane on 5th October 1915 with the 9th Infantry Battalion - 10 to 12 Reinforcements (October-December 1915) On the HMAT Warilda A69, bound for Egypt.
Private Stewart Faulkner joined the 49th Battalion in Egypt on 29th February 1916.
In June, they arrived in Marseille and proceed to the front in France.
From the Richmond River Express and Casino Kyogle Advertiser dated Tuesday 15 August 1916:
Mrs Faulkner, of Yorklea, has received a letter from her son Stewart, stating that he is billeted in a farmhouse in the North of France:-
‘The whole country is practically a military camp. There are a great many Australians there. The country is lovely, and where we came through after landing at Marseilles as practically all orchards and vineyards. We have straw to lie on, so it is not too bad. I hope it is as good near the trenches, but I am sure it is not. I might possibly go to England, as leave is being granted, but men who have been on Gallipoli go first. I am glad to be out of Egypt, and in civilisation again.’
Private Stewart Faulkner was serving with the 49th Battalion of Australian Imperial Force when he was killed in action in France on 14th August 1916. He was 23 years old.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 7th October 1916: Private Stewart Falconer
Official intimation has been received that Private Stewart Falconer, 49th Battalion Australian Imperial Force, has been killed in France. He was the eldest son of Mr Adam Falconer, Killygullib, Upperlands, who, with his family, emigrated to Australia about five years ago. Shortly after the outbreak of war he joined the Australian Imperial Force, although he was getting on successfully in the land of his adoption, and has given up his young life in defence of the Motherland. Prior to emigrating, he was employed for about four years on the clerical staff of Messrs William Clarke and Sons Ltd., Upperlands, where he was highly esteemed, and the news of his death is keenly felt by his many friends in the district. He was only about 23 years of age.
Private S Faulkner is buried in Pozieres British Cemetery Ovillers-La Boisselle, Pozieres, Picardie, France.
The CWGC record Private Stewart Faulkner as the son of Adam John and Annie Faulkner, of "Yorklea", Casino, New South Wales. He is recorded as being a native of Kilrea, Co. Londonderry, Ireland
