3rd Battalion, New Zealand Rifle Brigade (New Zealand Army)
Date Of Birth:
19/09/1896
Died:
04/11/1918 (Died of Illness)
Age:
22
Summary
Stewart Agnew was the son of William and Ann Jane Agnew. Stewart Agnew was born on 19th September 1896 in Drumnacannon, Upperlands, County Londonderry. They were a farming family who lived in Drumnacannon. Stewart Agnew emigrated to New Zealand. Stewart enlisted in New Zealand on 11th December 1917. He had been working as a labourer. Rifleman Stewart Agnew arrived at the front in France on 4th October 1918. Soon after, he contracted influenza. He was admitted to Cannock Chase Military Hospital in England on 28th October 1918.His influenza was complicated by pneumonia and Rifleman Stewart Agnew died of illness no 4th November 1918, just a few days before the end of the war. He was 22 years old.
Further Information
Stewart Agnew was the son of William and Ann Jane Agnew. William Agnew married Ann Bloomfield in Ballymena on 19th February 1880.
Stewart Agnew was born on 19th September 1896 in Drumnacammon, Upperlands, County Londonderry.
The 1901 census lists Stewart as age 4 living with the family at house 10 in Drumnacammon, Tamlaght, County Londonderry. They were a farming family.
The 1911 census lists Stewart as age 15 living with the family at house 34 in Drumnacammon, Tamlaght, Londonderry. He had left school and was working on his father’s farm. His parents had nine children, seven of which were still living.
Family: William Agnew, Ann Jane Agnew, Sarah Agnew (born 24th March 1881), Robert Agnew (born about 1885), William Agnew (born about 1887), Archibald Agnew (born 10th July 1888), Mary Ellen Agnew (born 7th January 1892), Stewart Agnew (born 19th September 1896), Washington Agnew (born 25th April 1902).
Stewart Agnew emigrated to New Zealand.
Stewart enlisted in New Zealand on 11th December 1917. He had been working as a labourer.
After training he was posted to B Company (41st) on 18 May 1918.
He departed New Zealand on 25th May 1918.
He was transferred to B Company (42nd) on 13 July 1918.
Rifleman Stewart Agnew arrived at the front in France on 4th October 1918.
Soon after, Rifleman Stewart Agnew, serving with the 3rd Battalion of the New Zealand Rifle Brigade contracted influenza. He was shipped back and admitted to Cannock Chase Military Hospital in England on 28th October 1918.
His influenza was complicated by pneumonia and Rifleman Stewart Agnew died of illness no 4th November 1918, just a few days before the end of the war. He was 22 years old.
From the Belfast Newsletter dated 26th November 1918:
Rifleman Stewart Agnew, New Zealand Forces, son of Mr William Agnew, Drumnacannon, Upperlands, died.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 30th November 1918:
Rifleman Stewart Agnew, New Zealand Forces, died in hospital on 4th November. He had been in England completing his training before going to the front and caught trench fever. The deceased was Mr Agnew’s fourth son, and emigrated to New Zealand about four years ago. At the time of the Home Rule crisis, he was a devout supporter of the Ulster Volunteer movement, being an enthusiastic member of the Tamlaght O’Crilly Company of the Force. The news of the death is deeply regretted by his old chums of the company and numerous other friends.
Rifleman Stewart Agnew is buried in Cannock Chase War Cemetery.
The CWGC list Rifleman Stewart Agnew as the son of Mr and Mrs Wallace Agnew of Drumnacannon, Culnady, Upperlands, Co. Londonderry, Ireland.
