William Stewart was born in Scotland in 1869, the eldest child of James and Isabella Stewart. He grew up in Perthshire, Scotland and as an adult worked as a Police Constable in Edinburgh. He also was also a reservist with the 3rd Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland, better known as the ‘Black Watch’. He was a drummer in the regimental band.
Elizabeth Jane Barnett was born in Templepatrick, Ireland in 1866, the youngest child of Alexander and Elizabeth Barnett. She was called Eliza-Jane, or just Eliza within the family. By the age of 7 Eliza was an orphan, and was raised by her older siblings. She was particularly close to her older sister Sarah.
James met Eliza when he was serving in Ireland with his regiment. When William returned to Scotland, they kept in touch and in 1894 Eliza left her homeland and married William. They settled in Edinburgh and in 1895 had their first child, named Alexander. Isabella was born in 1898.
William was called up for active service with his regiment in the Boer War, and Eiza was left in Edinburgh with two small children and pregnant with a third. In January 1900 a telgram arrived from William’s regiment, saying that William was reported killed. A few days later another telegram advised that he was in fact captured. William spent time as a prisoner of war, during which time a son, Bill was born. A 4th child, Sarah was born in 1901. Sarah was always known as Bunty
William was badly affected by his war experience and suffered heath problems. He was advised by his doctor to move to a warmer climate and the William and Eliza decided to follow William’s sister’s lead and emigrate to Australia. In 1912, William and Alec sailed to Australia and the rest of the family followed a year later aboard Somerset. They settled at Delacca, a small town in the Darling Downes area of Queensland, 38- km north-west of Brisbane.
With the outbreak of war in 1814, William joined the Australian Army and served as a trainer.
William died in 1935, aged 66. Eliza died in 1951, aged 85.
They were survived by their four children:
Alexander 1875–1981
Isabella 1898–1976
William (Bill) 1900–1964
Sarah (Bunty) 1901–1971