261964 2nd Lt. Percy Douglas Stewart MM.British Army 13th (1st Barnsley) Btn. York and Lancaster Regiment from:6 The Lilacs, Cross Lane, Royston, near Barnsley My maternal grandfather, Percy Stewart, signed up as a Private, along with one of his brothers, Frank Stewart, in October 1914. They worked in the New Monckton Colliery at Royston, with their older brother, Alec, and brother-in-law, Tom Smith. My Granddad was a promising member of the Monckton Gym, according to Barnsley papers. He was also something of a comedian, performing comic soliloquies and gurning.
In November 1914 and February 1915, the local paper reported that he had been promoted in the ranks to Sergeant. I am not sure which is correct perhaps the second was confirmation of the first? I was told by my mother, Jennie Howard, that he was a PT Instructor in the Army, no doubt because of his prowess as a gymnast.
On 6th of November 1916, he was involved in an action (presumably part of The Battle of the Somme?) which resulted in him being awarded the Military Medal for Bravery in the Field. I am not sure what exactly he did, and want to try and find out, but I believe my mother said he rescued an injured officer, at considerable risk to himself. This needs to be confirmed.
On 17th of February 1917, the local paper reported that: "At the Royston Empire, Sgt. Percy Stewart, recently awarded the Military Medal for valour in the field, was the recipient of a handsome gold watch and chain subscribed for by his fellow workers and inhabitants of Royston. The presentation was made by A.C.F. Assinder in the absence of C.C. Ellison who sent his apologies regretting his inability to attend. He congratulated the Sergeant on his heroism and devotion to duty and hoped he would return safely home after the war and have the pleasure of wearing the watch and chain. Sgt Stewart thanked the residents for the handsome gift. Although he had gained the MM he considered that he had only done his duty to King and country. The watch was inscribed: Presented to Sergeant Percy Douglas Stewart M.M. by his fellow workmen at New Monckton Collieries and the inhabitants of Royston in recognition of his action while serving with the 13th Y&L in France on November 6th 1916." Many years later my mother decided she should pass this precious watch to her younger brother, Doug Stewart, who lived in America. Very sadly, some years later, he suffered a burglary and the watch and chain were stolen.
In November 1917, a local paper reported that Percy Stewart had received a commission in His Majesty's Army and was now a 2nd Lieutenant. I am not sure how accurate this is, as it is a long time after he received the MM, and I thought he received the commission in the field, as a result of his bravery. It could be that he moved to the West Yorkshire Regiment on receiving his commission. One website lists him as being in the WYR when he is an officer.
On 21st of March 1918, during a massive German attack in which 21,000 British troops were captured, my Granddad was captured at Pronville and became a Prisoner of War. There followed months of deprivation, with little food, and a lot of fatalities due to illness. Somehow he was able to keep a diary during this time. It is an extraordinary record of what they went through, and includes a number of wonderful sketches, of guards and prisoners, some very comical. His joy on receiving parcels and letters or cards from home, his feelings about the camp, everything is there. This diary now resides in the Imperial War Museum in London.
My Granddad came home in 1919, was married to his girl, Florrie Smith, and my Mum was born later that year. The family moved to London in 1928/9. He had a passionate interest in politics all his life, standing (unsuccessfully) as a Labour candidate in 1945, but was a Labour councillor in London for many years. He died in 1967. My family, especially my cousin, Barbara Lewis, and I, are immensely proud of our Granddad, of his bravery and tenacity, his good humour and passionate nature.
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