John Francis Stewart

Born 14 Mar 1894 - Died 18 Oct 1968

Service number: WWI 1376 AWMM
Also known as: Jack AWMM
Francis John Stewart AWMM
Armed force / branch: Army AWMM
Last rank: WW1 Lance Corporal/Military AWMM
War: World War I, 1914-1918 AWMM

John Francis Stewart, in uniform. Collection of Paumea McKay, Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira (PH-1997-2-165). Cultural Permissions Apply

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Biographical information

John Francis Stewart was the second son of Emere (Emily) Apanui (née Mair) and Heta Reweti Stewart (1869–3 December 1909), also known as Dick Stewart or Heta Reweti Stewart, of Heale St, Thames, Coromandel. His mother, Emere, was the daughter of Major William Gilbert Mair (1832–1912), a military officer and land court interpreter, and Raiha Apanui (1854–1916), the granddaughter of Apanui Te Hāmaiwaho, a paramount chief of Ngāti Awa.

He was one of ten children. His siblings were Alice Josephine Turuhira Stewart (1891–1950), Matthew Rapana Stewart (1892–1975), Willoughby Stewart (1897–1938), Edward McDonnell Wepiha Stewart (1898–1967), Doris Jeanette Stewart (1899–1917), Reginald Robertson Stewart (1902–1950), Leopold Norman Stewart (1902–1977), Mary Kate "Molly" Stewart (1905–1965), and David Apanui (Pareiha or Pareiha Tuati) Stewart (d. 1915).

Attended Parawai Primary School in Thames.

John Francis Stewart, known as Jack, and his two brothers, Matthew Rapana Stewart (12/451) and David Apanui Stewart (16/123) (also known as Pareiha Tuati), all served in World War I.

Matthew Stewart was the first to enlist, joining the 6th Hauraki Company on 11 August 1914. He trained at Epsom Camp, Auckland, and embarked on 16 October 1914 aboard the Star of India or Waimana, bound for Suez, Egypt. He fought in the Suez Canal Campaign against the Ottoman Turks in February 1915 and took part in the Gallipoli landings on 25 April 1915. He continued his service on the Western Front in France, was wounded three times, and was promoted to Sergeant before being discharged in 1919.

Their younger brother, David Apanui Stewart (16/123), was underage but enlisted in the 1st New Zealand Māori Contingent under the name Pareiha Tuati. He embarked for Egypt in February 1915 aboard the Warrimoo and fought at Gallipoli. On 16 August 1915, he was wounded in action and died while being evacuated to Lemnos Island, where he was buried at Portianos Military Cemetery. At the time of his death, Matthew was stationed just a mile away and wrote home about the loss of his younger brother.

Following David's death, John Francis Stewart sought to enlist. However, his mother refused to sign his enlistment papers. Determined to serve, Jack left New Zealand for England in August 1915 aboard the Tainui. He officially enlisted in December 1915 and joined King Edward’s Horse, serving with the British Expeditionary Force on the Western Front. He was later promoted to Lance Corporal and returned to New Zealand in 1919.

"Mr Jack Stewart, of Thames, who arrived in England early in October, has been spending a few days in Manchester. He intends to enlist or work in a munition factory. He has had one "brother, David, killed whilst serving with the Maori contingent in the Dardanelles, and another, Matthew, serving with the New Zealand force." New Zealanders Abroad. Sun (Christchurch), Volume II, Issue 583, 22 December 1915, Page 4

After the war Jack returned to Thames and married Martha Mitchell in 1924, and together they had four sons and a daughter, Noelene.

His son was Hurunui Owen Apanui Stewart (431213), and he served with the Royal New Zealand Air Force in World War II. Hurunui Stewart also played in the New Zealand Services football team while overseas.

Bernard Meremana Stewart (27 January 1926-12 May 2006) was the name of another son.

John worked as a Museum Attendant at Auckland War Memorial Museum from 1929-1953 and then Custodian from 1953-1964.

"On the occasion of his farewell, Jack, a member of the Whakatohea iwi of Opotiki, presented to the museum an historic greenstone tokipoutangata, and also a mere pounamu and kotiate which had been in his family for many years (see New Accessions, Auckland War Memorial Museum Newsletter, no. 7, September 1965, p. 5)" (Thwaites, Ian (2015). A Good Place To Be: Auckland Museum People, 1929-89. Auckland: Printed for the author) AWMM

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John Francis Stewart