| Although this cabinet photograph was taken in Edinburgh, Scotland, its subject - Lieutenant Archibald Francis Stewart of the 1st Battalion, the Durham Light Infantry - spent almost his entire career with the Indian Army so it seems appropriate to include it this section. Archibald Francis Stewart was born on 12 September, 1871 in Jamaica, West Indies the son of Francis Archibald Stewart and Grace Jane Malloch. The elder Stewart - born in Scotland - was an officer in the 1st Battalion, the West India Regiment. Archibald's mother Grace Jane was Canadian and his parent's wedding took place in Ontario, Canada on 10 November, 1870. Archibald Francis Stewart was living with his family on the Channel Island of Jersey when he was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the 2nd Battalion, the Durham Light Infantry from the West Regiment, The Royal Jersey Militia on 28 September, 1892. Promoted Lieutenant - 4 August, 1894 Seconded to the Indian Staff Corp - 22 March, 1897 Captain, Indian Staff Corps - 5 October, 1901 Major, 116th Mahrattas Infantry - 28 September, 1910 Temporary Lieutenant-Colonel - ? Deputy Assistant Adjutant & Quarter-Master General - 2 November, 1915 Lieutenant-Colonel, 108th Infantry, Indian Army - ? Retires - 28th September, 1922 Stewart's somewhat fragmentary military record seems to indicate that spent almost his entire career with the Indian Army. It is uncertain if he spent that time in garrison duty or if he saw any action along one of India's frontiers. The 116th Mahrattas served in Mesopotamia During World War I but it appears that he was no longer attached to that regiment at that time. His World War I medal index card simply states that at the time of the issuance of his British War and Victory Medals that he was attached to the 108th Infantry (Indian Army). The 108th was part of the 9th (Secunderabad) Division which remained in India for training and security duties for the duration of World War I. Cabinet Photograph A. Swan Watson - Photographer Edinburgh, Scotland June, 1896 |
