The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

[spoons]

Not listed on UKNIWM

Location inside New Abbey church at OS Map Ref: NX 965 659

This is one of those rare churches that is normally open during daylight hours. I like the informality of this one "some of his old shipmates".

Name: STEWART, FRANCIS GORDON
Initials: F G
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Lieut-Commander
Regiment/Service: Royal Navy
Age: 29
Date of Death: 05/06/1916
Additional information: Son of Capt. William and Anna Agnes Stewart, of Shambellie, New Abbey, Dumfries.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: F. 12.
Cemetery: LYNESS ROYAL NAVAL CEMETERY

[Kenneth Morrison]

Francis Gordon Stewart was born on 14 August 1886 at Shambellie House, New Abbey. (Now the home of the Museums of Scotland's National Museum of Costume)
He joined the Royal Navy's Training Ship Britannia 15 September 1901 aged 13, and after two years was posted to HMS Empress of India as a Midshipman. Promoted in March 1906 to Sub-Lieutenant he served on HMS Hampshire's first cruise in July 1907.
He was promoted to Lieutenant in March 1908 and in January 1913 joined HMS Gloucester in the Mediterranean.
At the outbreak of war the Gloucester was involved in the pursuit of the German Cruisers Goeben and Bresslau as they made for Constantinople.
Posted to HMS Hampshire in February 1916 he was promoted to Lieutenant Commander a month later.
Immediately after the Battle of Jutland, on 31 May 1916, the Hampshire was ordered to Scapa Flow to take onboard a military mission bound for Russia and led by Lord Kitchener.
On the evening of 5 June 1916 the Hampshire set off for Arkhangesk in a gale and, off the Mainland of Orkney between Brough of Birsay and Marwick Head, she struck a mine and sank. Only 12 men survived.
Lt. Commander Stewart's body was later recovered from the sea and he is buried in the Lyness Royal Naval Cemetery on Orkney.