In 1901, the Stuart family were livng at 16 Balhousie Street, Perth: Father, Walter (Wine & Spirit Merchant) (31); Mother, Mary A. (32); Son, Kenneth M. (3); and Son, John A. (1). Also living at this address was Grace P. Clark (General Servant (Domestic) (22).

John (Alan) Stuart originally served with the 41st, 13th (Reserve) Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (Reg. No. 1/13407), before transferring to the 7th Seaforth Highlanders, who were part of the 62nd Infantry Brigade, 9th (Scottish) Division.

Extract from the War Diaries of the 17th Seaforth Highlanders

“10th April 1918 – IN CAMP, VIERSTRAAT – DAMM STRASSE"

“The Battalion, on completion of relief, was entrained in trucks on the light railway at SPOIL BANK, and proceeded to SEDDON CAMP, VIERSTRAAT, the last people into camp arriving about 2.30 a.m."

“The Battalion was warned to be ready to return to the line this night (10/11) and relieve units of the 19th DIVISION on the right of the HOLLEBEKE sub-sector. This left the prospect of at least one restful day – a prospect, however, that was not fulfilled. The news came that the BOSCHE had attacked and made progress South of, and in the neighbourhood of, WYTSCHAETE and the old danger of a swinging flank looked like being realised again."

“1 p.m. Orders and counter-orders followed in rapid succession. First to reconnoitre an old line of trenches running parallel to the VIERSTRAAT-PARROT FARM road…"

“2 p.m. These (second) orders cancelled the defensive line mentioned and substituted orders to get ready to take up a line across the South-east aspect of WYTSCHAETE – presumably to fill a gap left by somebody or other!"

“3.30 p.m. The third set of orders arrived at the moment when the C.O. had just finished explaining the previous ones to Company Commanders. The Battalion was now detailed to take up a line from THE STABLES (WHITE CHATEAU), where contact would be made with the ROYAL SCOTS, to GOUDEZEUNE FARM…"

“The men had tea while they stood to arms and the Battalion marched off to take up its new line at 4.30 p.m. via the BRSSERIE, BUS HOUSE and ST. ELOI. ‘A’ Coy led and was to take the left of the line, with ‘B’ in the centre, ‘C’ on the right and ‘D’ in support."

“A good frontage for formation was afforded by the DAMM STRASSE – a deep, water-logged cutting running N.E. and S.W. On its way to that locality the Battalion had to pass through an enemy barrage which killed several men and wounded others.”

While there is no definitive record of when John Stuart lost his life, it is likely that he was one of the casualties killed during this barrage. He was 18 years old.

John Stuart is also commemorated on the Kinnoull Parish Church War Memorial, Perth.