The Stewarts in Balimeanach

Robert Stewart, 3rd in Balimeanach,   b. Abt 1630, Balimeanach, Comrie, Perthshire, Scotland ,   d. 1711. His story is presented below.

James Stewart,   b. Abt 1632, Balimeanach, Comrie, Perthshire, Scotland ,   d. Aft 1648. James Stewart was a joint-executor, with his brother Robert, to their father and is mentioned with his mother in a Bond to Alexander Murray of Strowan on 1 December 1648. (Gordon MacGregor, The Red Book of Scotland)

James Stewart,   b. Abt 1685, Balimeanach, Comrie, Perthshire, Scotland ,   d. UNKNOWN.

James is recorded in the OPRs as being of the Balimeanach family. It is not certain by which branch. Based on the naming pattern of his children it seems most likely that he as a son of Robert Stewart, 3rd in Balimeanach. However he could also be a son of Robert’s brother, James. Although this James Stewart’s father cannot be identified with certainty, it is most certain that he is the grandson of William Stewart, 1st of Balimeanach.

The relationship between James and his suggested daughter, Mary, is also not proven. See notes on Mary for more details.

James married Janet McArthur,   b. Abt 1660, Perthshire, Scotland ,   d. UNKNOWN. They had the following children:

1. Mary Stewart,   b. Abt 16 Mar 1683, Kilmadock, Perthshire, Scotland ,   d. UNKNOWN. The Comrie OPR records Mary Stewart at the time of her marriage as being “from Balmeanach of Ardvorlich”. Balimeanach simply means “the middle township”. Thus it cannot been said that she is indeed “of the Balimeanach Stewart family”; rather she may simply be “living in” Balimeanach. The relationship to the parents shown here is based on the assumption that she is of the Balimeanach family, but this relationship is not proven. Mary Stewart married Donald McIlchonnell,   b. Abt 1680, Perthshire, Scotland ,   d. UNKNOWN. They had the following children:
   1. Janet McIlchonnell,   b. Abt 9 May 1708, Comrie, Perthshire, Scotland ,   d. UNKNOWN
   2. Christian McIlchonnell,   b. Abt 27 Feb 1711, Findglen, Comrie, Perthshire, Scotland ,   d. UNKNOWN
   3. Duncan McIlchonnell,   b. Abt 7 Aug 1715, Findglen, Comrie, Perthshire, Scotland ,   d. Bef 1727, Comrie, Perthshire, Scotland 
   4. James McIlchonnell,   b. Abt 6 Sep 1719, Findglen, Comrie, Perthshire, Scotland ,   d. UNKNOWN
   5. Mary McIlchonnell,   b. Abt 12 Apr 1724, Tullybannocher, Comrie, Perthshire, Scotland ,   d. UNKNOW
   6. Donald McIlchonnell,   b. Abt 22 Feb 1727, Tullybannocher, Comrie, Perthshire, Scotland ,   d. UNKNOWN
   7. Duncan McIlchonnell,   b. Abt 22 Feb 1727, Tullybannocher, Comrie, Perthshire, Scotland ,   d. UNKNOWN
2. Robert Stewart,   b. Abt 23 Dec 1688, Kilmadock, Perthshire, Scotland ,   d. UNKNOWN. Nothing more is known of Robert.
3. Elizabeth Stewart,   b. Abt 24 May 1694, Kilmadock, Perthshire, Scotland ,   d. UNKNOWN. Nothing more is known of Elizabeth.

3. Jean Stewart,   b. 1 May 1693, Balimeanach, Comrie, Perthshire, Scotland ,   d. UNKNOWN.

John Stewart,   b. Abt 3 Nov 1709, Comrie, Perthshire, Scotland ,   d. UNKNOWN. Nothing more is known about John Stewart. It is possible that he may have had descendants or he may have emigrated or died young.

Alexander Stewart, in Ardvorlich,   b. Abt 1712, Balimeanach, Comrie, Perthshire, Scotland ,   d. UNKNOWN. Alexander’s exact birthdate is unknown. He is slotted in-between the known births of his siblings as a best guess. We do not know if Alexander married or had children.

Dougald Stewart,   b. Abt 1715, Comrie, Perthshire, Scotland ,   d. UNKNOWN. Dougald’s birthdate is unknown. He is slotted in-between the known births of his siblings as a best guess. Nothing more is known about Dougald Stewart. It is possible that he may have had descendants or he may have emigrated or died young.

Katherine Stewart,   b. Abt 9 Mar 1718, Balimeanach, Comrie, Perthshire, Scotland ,   d. UNKNOWN. Nothing more is known of Katherine.

James Stewart, Factor of Ardvorlich,   b. Abt 26 Sep 1723, Balimeanach, Comrie, Perthshire, Scotland ,   d. UNKNOWN.

James Stewart is mentioned in Stewarts of the South in a reference regarding his son John: “his father being the occasion of keeping the Estate [of Ardvorlich].” This reference would seem to imply that James was the manager (factor) of the estate of Ardvorlich.

James’ wife is unknown. He was father of:

1. John Stewart, 6th in Balimeanach,   b. Abt 1750, Comrie, Perthshire, Scotland ,   d. Aft 1820.

John Stewart was a tacksman in Balemenoch and was evicted from his lands by his cousin, William Stewart, 8th of Ardvorlich, for an unknown reason.

John is recorded in Stewarts of the South as Branch 2, Line 2 of the Stewarts of Ardvorlich.

Captain James Stewart, author of Stewarts of the South, writes the following about John Stewart with some less-than-kind references to his cousin, William Stewart, 8th of Ardvorlich:

“John Stewart, Balemeanoch, of the above family and property [Ardvorlich]. A decent friendly good man but more innocent than active. [He pays annual rent of] £150. Ardvorlich has given him a charge of removal this year to his great shame, his father being the occasion of keeping the Estate to them being a more active man that Ardvorlich’s father and this is the reward of his great service. Ardvorlich like many great men of the world has got his good character very cheap and as other that get a bad character undeserved, for if he is once injured he knows not how to forgive and forget. Certainly Ardvorlich is an honest man but that cannot secure him from censure on that account, for Justice, Mercy and Charity ought to go hand in hand without which no other accomplishment can constitute a good man for we have from Scripture do Justice love mercy and walk humbly before thy God (Malachi). I have no business to interfere in this or to depreciate his Character further than to tell my opinion of him every man being allowed to judge for himself if they dont interfere with state affairs.”

Stewarts of the South indicates that John Stewart had three sons, by an unknown wife, whose names were not recorded:

1. Son Stewart,   b. Between 1790 and 1820, Comrie, Perthshire, Scotland ,   d. UNKNOWN
2. Son Stewart,   b. Between 1790 and 1820, Comrie, Perthshire, Scotland ,   d. UNKNOWN
3. Son Stewart,   b. Between 1790 and 1820, Comrie, Perthshire, Scotland ,   d. UNKNOWN

Jean Stewart,   b. Abt Mar 1726, Balimeanach, Comrie, Perthshire, Scotland ,   d. UNKNOWN. Nothing more is known of Jean.

Patrick Stewart,   b. Abt 26 Feb 1728, Balmeanoch, Comrie, Perthshire, Scotland ,   d. UNKNOWN. Nothing more is known about Patrick Stewart. It is possible that he may have had descendants or he may have emigrated or died young.

Margaret Stewart,   b. Abt 15 May 1750, Balimeanach, Comrie, Perthshire, Scotland ,   d. UNKNOWN. She died without children prior to 1790. (Gordon MacGregor, The Red Book of Scotland)

Catharine Stewart,   b. Abt 29 Jul 1751, Ardvorlich, Comrie, Perthshire, Scotland ,   d. UNKNOWN. She died without children prior to 1790. (Gordon MacGregor, The Red Book of Scotland)

William Stewart, 8th of Ardvorlich and Factor of Breadalbane,   b. 10 Jun 1754, Ardvorlich, Comrie, Perthshire, Scotland ,   d. 26 Feb 1838, Ardvorlich, Comrie, Perthshire, Scotland.  His story is presented below.

Dr. John Stewart, (H.E.I.C.S.),   b. Abt 30 Jan 1756, Ardvorlich, Comrie, Perthshire, Scotland ,   d. 1791, India.  John Stewart was born at Ardvorlich. The Comrie OPR shows: “30 JAN 1756 Robert STEWART of Ardvorlich and Margaret STEWART his lady had their son baptised named John.” John Stewart was apprenticed to Dr. Robert Graham, Physician in Stirling, in 1773. He afterwards became a Surgeon in the Honourable East India Company Service (H.E.I.C.S.) and died unmarried, in India, in January of 1791. (Gordon MacGregor, The Red Book of Scotland)

James Stewart,   b. Abt 2 Sep 1758, Ardvorlich, Comrie, Perthshire, Scotland ,   d. 1794, Jamaica.   James Stewart, baptized at Comrie, on 2 September 1758 as the son of Robert Stewart and Margaret Stewart of Ardvorlich. James died in Jamaica, in 1794. (Gordon MacGregor, The Red Book of Scotland) It is not known if he had a family in Jamaica or not, although we have no record of one.

James Stewart,   b. Abt 25 Dec 1800, Ardvorlich, Comrie, Perthshire, Scotland ,   d. 25 Mar 1809, Crieff, Perthshire, Scotland.  The death of James is uncertain. He is not mentioned in Stewarts of the South so it is presumed that he died before the document was written (ca. 1815-1820). MacGregor says that he “died young”.

John Stewart,   b. Abt 3 Sep 1802, Ardvorlich, Comrie, Perthshire, Scotland ,   d. 29 May 1834, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.  John is mentioned in Stewarts of the South as follows: “William Stewart, Esqur, the present proprietor, four sons: 1 Robert, 2 John, 3 Willm, 4 Anthony.” John immigrated to Montreal, Quebec, Canada, where he was a merchant. He died young. It is believed that he had no children.

Major William Murray Stewart,   b. Abt 27 Mar 1804, Ardvorlich, Comrie, Perthshire, Scotland ,   d. 29 Jul 1853, Bénarès, Savanne, Mauritius   

William is described in Stewarts of the South as follows: “William Stewart Esqur the present proprietor four sons 1 Robert 2 John 3 Willm 4 Anthony.” William attained the rank of Major in the 22nd Bengal Lancers and fought in the Indian Wars.

He married at Berhampore, Bengal, India on 8 August 1826, to Charolette Debnam,   b. 1807,   d. 24 Nov 1860, Kensington Gate, South Kensington, London, Middlesex, England , daughter of Major Robert Joseph Debnam, 13th Light Infantry. William died at Benares, on 20 July 1853. His wife, Charlotte, survived him and died at Kensingtongate on 24 November 1860, aged 53 years. (Gordon MacGregor, The Red Book of Scotland) They had the following children:

1. Capt. William Stewart, 10th of Ardvorlich,   b. 5 Jun 1827, Ardvorlich, Comrie, Perthshire, Scotland ,   d. 14 Jun 1857, Gwalior, Bengal, India.  His story is presented below.
2. Col. Robert Stewart, 11th of Ardvorlich,   b. 15 Sep 1829, Ardvorlich, Comrie, Perthshire, Scotland ,   d. 6 Jun 1882, Earl’s Court, London, Middlesex, England   His story is presented below.
3. Charlotte Stewart,   b. 31 May 1831, Chunor, Bengal, India ,   d. 3 Aug 1887, Middlesex, England.   In 1861, her niece, also named Charlotte Stewart, only surviving child of her brother, William Stewart of Ardvorlich’s family, was residing with the Roberts family. However this Charlotte Roberts-nee-Stewart is not shown with the family at that time.In 1881, Charlotte was a widow and residing at 100 Earl’s Court Road, Kensington, with an Irish governess/teacher, and her nieces, Lilian Stewart, 17, born in India, Ethel M Stewart, 16, born in India (daughters of John Stewart, 12th of Ardvorlich), Eva L Stewart, 15, born in India (daughter of Theodore Henry Stewart), and Helen L Stewart, 12, born in Scotland (daughter of John Stewart, 12th of Ardvorlich), as well as a Scottish cook, parlor maid, and another servant.England and Wales National Probate Calendar:Roberts, Charlotte. Personal Estate £2,728, 18s. 1d.
   23 August 1887. The Will with a Codicil of Charlotte Roberts, late of 100 Earl’s Court Road, South Kensington, in the County of Middlesex, Widow, who died 3 August 1887 at 100 Earl’s Court Road was proved at the Principal Registry by George Stewart of Kuparra House, College Road, Upper Norwood, in the County of Surrey, a Colonel in the Bengal Staff Corps, the Brother, one of the Executors.Charlotte Stewart married on 24 Apr 1851 to Benares, Bengal, India.   They had the following children:
   1. Helen Roberts,   b. 1852, Merzapore, India  
   2. W S Roberts,   b. 1854, Merzapore, India 
   3. C H Roberts,   b. 1855, Merzapore, India 
   4. Robert Joseph Roberts,   b. 19 Dec 1859, Bareilly, Bengal, India  
4. Col. John Stewart, 12th of Ardvorlich and CIE,   b. 24 Mar 1833, Chunar, Bengal, India ,   d. 8 Jan 1914, Ardvorlich, Comrie, Perthshire, Scotland.   His story continues below.
5. Col. Anthony Stewart,   b. 20 Sep 1834, India ,   d. 13 Dec 1886, Greater London, London, Middlesex, United Kingdom Anthony served as a Colonel in the Bengal Staff Corps and Cantonment Magistrate, Jullundur. In 1881 Anthony’s wife and children were residing in Preston, Sussex, England. Anthony was absent at the time of the census. He married at Lahore, Bengal, on 7 May 1857, to Charlotte Pretyman Barlow,   b. Abt 1835, England ,   d. 25 May 1882, daughter of Cuthbert Barlow. He died on 13 Dec 1886. She died on 25 May 1882. They had the following children:
   1. Charlotte Mary Debnam Stewart,   b. Abt 1858, India ,   d. 5 Oct 1925. She married on 2 Mar 1878 in Rawal Pindi, India   to Maj. Gen. Francis William Collis,   b. UNKNOWN,   d. UNKNOWN. They had the following child:
      1. Frances Alice Debnam Collis,   b. Abt 1880, Scotland ,   d. 5 Mar 1963. She married her cousin, Lieut. Col. William Murray Stewart,   b. 27 Aug 1875, St. Cuthbert’s, Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland ,   d. 24 Dec 1948, son of James Rapheal Stewart, shown below.Their children are presented under Lieut. Col. William Murray Stewart’s entry.
      2. Elizabeth F. Stewart,   b. 29 Jun 1912, Hong Kong ,   d. UNKNOWN.
   2. Alice Murray Stewart,   b. 23 May 1859, Calcutta, West Bengal, India ,   d. 12 Mar 1911, England  . Nothing more is known of her.
   3. William Charles Robert Stewart,   b. 11 Mar 1861, Lahore, Bengal, India ,   d. 27 Aug 1875, Ardvorlich, Comrie, Perthshire, Scotland  Nothing more is known of him.
   4. Amy Helen Stewart,   b. 4 Jun 1862, Lahore, West Bengal, India ,   d. 12 Feb 1863, Agra, Bengal, India  She died the day after her birth.
   5. Henrietta Grace Lambert Stewart,   b. 5 Jan 1864, Lahore, Bengal, India ,   d. 1927. She married on 12 Sep 1885 in Murree, Punjab, India  to Lt. Col. Frederick Arthur Hayden,   b. UNKNOWN,   d. 31 Dec 1946.
   6. Capt. James Anthony Stewart,   b. 3 Jan 1868, Meean Meer, Bengal, India ,   d. 27 Nov 1934, Guildford, Surrey, England  He married on 20 Jan 1904 in Dartford, Kent, England  to Geraldine Gaviller,   b. 5 Mar 1870, Greenhithe, Kent, England,   d. 28 Nov 1966. They had the following children:
      1. George Anthony Stewart,   b. 16 Mar 1905, in Dover, Kent, England,   d. 1979. He married and had children.
      2. Barbara Lucy Stewart,   b. 11 Jun 1907, in tirling, Stirlingshire, Scotland,   d. Sep 1995, Greenwhich, Kent, England. She married and had children.
   7. Lieut. Col. Robert Joseph Tucker Stewart,   b. 18 Aug 1872, Umballa, West Bengal, India ,   d. 1 Jul 1933, London, Middlesex, England.  Robert was gazetted to the Northumberland Fusiliers on 16 June 1891. He entered the Bengal Army and retiring from service, he settled in Turnbridge Wells, Kent, England, in 1926. He married at Westminster on 20 October 1902 to Violet Dorothy Chawner,   b. 1873, Newton Valence, Hampshire, England ,   d. 30 Apr 1961, Hampshire, England , daughter of Captain Edward Chawner. She divorced him in 1930, and married secondly, on 16 July 1931, to Lieutenant-Colonel Herbert Michael Melhuish, and died on 30 April 1961. Robert Stewart died at London on 1 July 1933. Robert and Violet had the following child:
      1. Viola Iris Stewart,   b. 24 Mar 1905, India ,   d. UNKNOWN.
   8. Capt. Walter Fitz Alan Stewart,   b. 3 Feb 1874, Umballa, West Bengal, India ,   d. Dec 1915, Long Ashton, Somerset, United Kingdom.   Walter served in the Indian Army. He was gazetted a 2nd Lieutenant on 3 September 1892 and later raised to Captain. He never married nor had children.
6. James Raphael Stewart,   b. 14 Feb 1837, Northwest Province, India ,   d. 27 Aug 1894, Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland.   James worked as a clerk in the exchequer. He married on 12 Oct 1869 in Whitewell, Hampshire, England to Annette Louisa Cheape,   b. 1839, India ,   d. 22 Aug 1911. They had the following children:
   1. Margaret Stewart,   b. 15 Aug 1870, St. Cuthbert’s, Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland ,   d. 14 Apr 1945, Bideford, Devonshire, England  She married on 6 Nov 1902 in Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland to Maj. Arthur Conning Hartley,   b. UNKNOWN,   d. 5 Mar 1919, Bedford, Bedfordshire, England.   They had children.
   2. Marjory Charlotee Athanass Stewart,   b. 10 Apr 1873, St. Cuthbert’s, Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland ,   d. 26 Nov 1898, Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland.   She never married nor had children.
   3. Liet. Col. William Murray Stewart,   b. 27 Aug 1875, St. Cuthbert’s, Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland ,   d. 24 Dec 1948. As a boy, William attended Guildford Royal Grammar School in Guildford, Surrey, England. He entered the army and served during WWI as a Major in the 2nd Battalion, Cameron Highlanders and was awarded the Companion of the Order of St. Michael and St. George and the Distinguished Service Order. He afterwards retired to Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset, England where he was County Librarian and a member of Somerset Council. (Gordon MacGregor, The Red Book of Scotland)William married on 30 Jul 1908 in London, Middlesex, England to his first cousin, once removed, Frances Alice Debnam Collis,   b. Abt 1880, Scotland ,   d. 5 Mar 1963, daughter of Maj. Gen. Francies William Collis and Charlotte Mary Debnam Stewart, shown above as the daughter of Col. Anthony Stewart. William and Frances had the following children:
      1. James Collis Stewart,   b. 1909, Hong Kong ,   d. 1985, Oxford, Oxfordshire, England  
      2. Elizabeth F. Stewart,   b. 29 Jun 1912, Hong Kong ,   d. UNKNOWN
   4. Elizabeth Dalyell Stewart,   b. 1879, Inverkeithing, Fife, Scotland ,   d. 24 Mar 1963. She married 13 Apr 1907 to Col. Andrew Cracroft Becher,   b. UNKNOWN,   d. 11 May 1929.
7. Maj. Gen. George Stewart,   b. 20 Jul 1839, Chanar, Bengal, India ,   d. 2 Feb 1927, Camberwell East Dulwich, London, England.   George attained the rank of Commandant of the Cavalry Guide Corps and Major General in the Bengal Staff Corps. George had no children. In 1871 George, then a Captain, was residing with his orphaned niece, Charlotte Fanning Stewart at Battleby House, Redgorton, Perthshire, Scotland in the care of James Maxtone-Graham. In 1881, George employed as a Lieutenant Colonel Cavalry and was residing with his borther, retired Colonel Robert Stewart, 11th of Ardvorlich, at Brompton, Kensington, London, Middlesex, England. He married on 17 Nov 1881 in South Dulwich, London, Middlesex, England  to Marie Menteith Douglas,   b. 1848, Scotland ,   d. 19 May 1924.
8. Lt. Theodore Henry Stewart,   b. 12 Jul 1842, India ,   d. 19 Feb 1892. In 1861 Henry Stewart (who went by his middle name) was attending military college in Tonbridge, Kent, England. In 1871 he was a Lieutenant stationed in Alverstoke, Hampshire, England.Edinburgh Evening Courant, 12 Nov 1864 – Married, at Surat, on the 6th October, Theodore, Henry Stewart, Bombay Civil Service, youngest son of the late Major William Murray Stewart, Ardvorlich, Political Agent at Benares, to Alice, only daughter of Captain A. T. Osborne, Bombay Artillery.He married on 6 Oct 1864 in Surat, Gujarat, India  to Alice Osborne,   b. Abt 1845, Scotland ,   d. 11 Jan 1895. They had the following children: 
   1. Eva Lilian Stewart,   b. 10 Sep 1865, Baroda, Bombay, India ,   d. UNKNOWN. She married firstly at Poona on 29 October 1887, to Brig. Gen. James Gavin Lindsay,   b. UNKNOWN, Royal Engineers, from whom she was divorced in 1895.She married secondly, on 26 November 1896, to Brig. Gen. James Edwards, of Benarth,   b. UNKNOWN,   d. 18 Aug 1929. She had children with her second husband.
   2. Theodore Fitzalan Stewart,   b. 23 May 1868, Kaira, Bombay, India ,   d. 10 Dec 1903, Poona, Bombay, India.  He never married nor had any children.

Marjory Stewart, of Ardvorlich Cottage,   b. 27 Aug 1805, Ardvorlich, Comrie, Perthshire, Scotland ,   d. 9 Dec 1878, Ardvorlich, Comrie, Perthshire, Scotland.  Marjory resided at Ardvorlich Cottage and never married.

Anthony Stewart,   b. 23 Nov 1807, Ardvorlich, Comrie, Perthshire, Scotland ,   d. 1827, Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland.  Anthony Stewart is mentioned in Stewarts of the South, as follows: “William Stewart Esqur the presant proprietor four sons 1 Robert 2 John 3 Willm 4 Anthony.” Anthony was a medical student in Edinburgh and died at age 20. (Gordon MacGregor, The Red Book of Scotland)

Mabel Stewart,   b. 30 Oct 1860, Ardvorlich, Comrie, Perthshire, Scotland ,   d. UNKNOWN. She never married nor had children.

Lilian Stewart,   b. 7 Oct 1863, Bengal, India ,   d. 9 Jan 1937, Surrey, England. In 1881, she was residing with her aunt Charlotte Roberts (nee Stewart) in Kensington, England along with her sisters, Ethel Stewart and Helen Stewart and her cousin Eva Stewart, under the care of a governess.

She married on 20 Jan 1885 in Cawnpore, Bengal, India to The Hon. Dr. Sir Charles Pardey Lukis, MD, KCSI, FRCS,   b. 1857, Southampton, Hampshire, England ,   d. 22 Oct 1917, India  , Surgeon General, and personal surgeon to the king. They had the following children:

1. Dr. Theodore Stewart Lukis, MD MRCP,   b. 7 Dec 1885, Cawnpore, Bengal, India ,   d. 15 Mar 1915, France  Theodore died serving in France during WWI. Commonwealth War Graves, 1914-1921, Bolougne, Easter Cemetery, France
   Lukis, Capt. Theodore Stewart. 13th Kenisngton Battalion, London Regiment. 15th March 1915. Age 29. Son of Sir Pardey and Lady Lukis of 147 Victoria Street, Westminster, London.Theodore Lukis attended Tonbridge School, Kent. Little is known about his activities there – just bare facts gained from the School Records. He entered Park House in September 1899 together with 65 other boys and was awarded a Junior Scholarship worth £150 at St Bartholomews Hospital Medical College. Lukis left Tonbridge in the summer term, July 1902.Medical Career
   Lukis entered St Bartholomew’s Hospital Medical College in September 1902 for his pre-clinical course. In 1904 he gained a scholarship in Science, as had his father many years previously. He qualified M.B. B.S. in 1910.

   In 1912 he was awarded the Gold Medal for his M.D. at London University and became a Member of the Royal College of Physicians of London (M.R.C.P.) in 1913. After house-jobs at Barts he was an assistant physician at the Childrens’ Hospital Great Ormond Street. Then followed 12 months of research into blood disorders. He was then appointed assistant physician at the Queen’s Hospital for Children (later to become known as the Queen Elizabeth Hospital for Children) in Hackney Road, Bethnal Green.

   Lukis was also a teacher at his old medical school and took an active part in its social life. According to contemporary reports he was obviously a popular figure and it is clear that Theodore Lukis was on the brink of a brilliant medical career.

   The Boy Scout Movement and Toynbee Hall
   At the time of the Boer War the British Government had been shocked by the poor state of health of male youth, many of whom were unfit to enlist and bear arms for their country.

   One solution was to encourage the setting up of youth groups for enhancing both physical and mental health. Public Schools were urged to form Officer Training Corps which would practice drill and learn military lore. The Boy Scout Movement was founded by the hero of the siege of Mafeking, Colonel Robert Stephenson Baden-Powell in 1907.

   The Movement however was aimed at the working classes. Troops sprouted in depressed areas of the great cities. Weekend and summer camps were often the only occasions for the majority of these lads to see the country. Through the Scout Movement boys (and later girls) would be exposed to upper and middle class values, taught discipline, citizenship and loyalty in the service of their country.

   Scout troops sprung up, started by boys who would then search for a leader and a meeting place. The troops would become attached to local churches, schools and clubs.

   In the East End of London the Scout Movement had been preceded by the Settlements. These were essentially meeting places for working class youth to channel their energies. They were staffed by volunteers from universities and public schools. The first of these settlements was Toynbee Hall in Commercial Street, founded by the Rev. Arthur Barnett in 1883.

   Theodore Lukis became deeply involved both in Toynbee Hall and the Boy Scout Movement. I suspect that he was drawn to help after seeing the extreme poverty and hopelessness around him during his time at St Bartholomews and at the Children’s Hospital in Bethnal Green.

   Whilst still a medical student Lukis had become involved with the work of Toynbee Hall. He founded one of the first scout troops in East London. The 1st Hoxton Troop of the Baden-Powell Scouts started with six boys from Scrutton Street School, Hoxton. The troop made Toynbee Hall its home and became one the main attractions of the settlement. The troop flourished and it was selected by the Chief Scout as the most efficient troop present at the Earls Court Rally in 1909.

   From contemporary reports we know that Theodore Lukis had a strong influence over the boys with whom he came into contact, often becoming a friend and father figure.

   In 1911 Lukis gave up the majority of his scouting commitments when he left Toynbee Hall to go into medical residence. Hospital house staff in those days were expected to be available 24 hours a day for six month at a time.

   The First World War
   When the First World War was declared in summer 1914 Lukis was in camp with his old scout troop. He became instrumental in founding a Scouts’ Company in the 13th Battalion, (Princess Louise’s Kensington Rifles), The London Regiment.

   More than eighty Scouts – “Old Scouts” and Scoutmasters – joined him in the Battalion. It is said that Lukis and his scouting friends marched to the local recruiting office to enlist. Initially Dr Lukis joined with his friends in the rank and file of The London Regiment. However it must have soon become evident to his seniors that he was medically qualified and he was gazetted to the rank of lieutenant on 15 December 1914.

   The 2nd Battalion remained in England for basic training until the end of 1914. Lukis together with his fellow officers attended a concert in honour of the Kensington Territorials on 1st January 1915. General Cory, commanding officer of the Division to which Lukis’ unit belonged, said in his address that “He prayed God that the War would not last long enough for his hearers to be called upon for active service.”

   At this time the 1st Battalion was already engaged in action near Neuve Chapelle. Tragically Cory’s hopes were proved futile. Theodore Stewart Lukis suffered severe shrapnel wounds at “Port Arthur”, Neuve Chapelle on 12th March 1915 and died in No. 7 Base Hospital at Boulogne 15th March. He was gazetted Captain on 13th March 1915.

   Lukis had been carried to the rear by Lance-Corporal (and Assistant Scoutmaster) E. Barsted who was one of the original six scouts from Scrutton Street School. Also carrying Lukis was J. Farrow who was himself wounded during the action.

   And so after a military career lasting barely 9 months Lukis was buried in France. The War Office Commemoration Records reads:

   In Memory of
   Captain Theodore Stewart Lukis
   13th Kensington Bn., London Regiment
   who died age 29 on Monday 15th March 1915.
   Captain Lukis, Son of Sir Pardey and Lady Lukis of 147, Victoria Street. Westminster,
   London. M.D. Lond.
   Remembered with honour
   Boulogne Eastern Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France

   A memorial service for Lukis was held at Toynbee Hall. Lukis’ name appears on the commemorative notice in the Barnett Library at Toynbee, which lists residents that were lost in the 1914-18 War. He was the first of his colleagues to be lost.

   The Lukis Trophy
   In the Headquarters Gazette of the Scout Movement, December 1915, there is a small notice of the intent to set up a memorial to be called “The Lukis Trophy”. The aim was to reward ordinary scouts for their effort and not necessarily for their individual success.

   The competition was to be based on scouting work (First and Second Class badges) and camping skills. Scoutmasters were asked to collect a penny from each of their boys in the hope of raising 50 pounds. This sum was to be used “to cover cost of hiring, carting and firewood, and to other administrative expenses.” Thus nearly 90 years later the Lukis Trophy is still in existence and keenly sought after.

   Looking Back
   The Army personnel file of Theodore Lukis was destroyed by German bombing in the Blitz. A few documents were stored elsewhere and I quote from a letter from Theodore’s father to the family lawyer:

   “As regards the Toynbee memorial, I think I have already written on the subject. If the Toynbee people wish to start a memorial, by all means let them do so, but I will not join in. I feel too bitter on the subject, and shall never forgive them for seducing Theo away from his proper vocation, and making him squander on their schemes the allowance I gave him to enable him to keep up his position at Boots.

   His has been a wasted life and I can find no justification, for a medical man, who gives up his profession of healing, in order to endeavour to kill his fellow creatures, even though they be enemies. God knows there is work enough, of the proper kind, to be done nowadays by doctors and Theo would have been far more useful to his fellow creatures if he had stuck to his profession and gone out to one of the Field Hospitals.

   I quite agree with you when you say you have never known any good to come of a changed profession, and I am rubbing this in to Clairmont, who is now stopping with us.”

   The resentful tone of the letter raise several points. Charles Lukis was himself a military doctor and knew all too well the conditions at the Front in France. He must have been aware of the horrendous mortality rates at the time. The letter emphasises the association of Theodore Lukis’ relationship with Toynbee Hall and with his father’s obvious disapproval. I should expect that this disapproval was not just for Toynbee but also for Scouting and the poor.

   Theodore Lukis was born in 1885 and was 5 when his father left for India. There is no available record of his life before he entered Park House, Tonbridge in 1899. In all probability he was cared for in his early years by servants.

   By the age of 7 he would have returned to England to attend a preparatory school with overall responsibility given to a guardian, often a relative or the family lawyer. Mother and father living thousands of miles away would have had little influence on their son but it is likely that the relationship was formal and cold. Not surprising was Lieut-General Lukis’ attitude of disapproval towards his brilliant son. We can only surmise what lay behind the bitterness of Charles Lukis’ words.

   Sir Charles Pardey Lukis 1857-1917
   Sir Charles Pardey Lukis (1857-1917) qualified in medicine from St. Bartholomew’s Hospital and became a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons (FRCS) in 1890. He entered the Bengal Army the same year and spent the rest of his professional career in India. In 1910 he was appointed Director-General of the Indian Medical Service with the rank of Surgeon General. He was promoted to Lieutenant-General in 1916.

   Amongst Lukis’ appointments were Hon. Surgeon to the Viceroy in 1905, Professor of Medicine and Principal of the Calcutta Medical College, and Hon. Surgeon to the King in 1913. He was the author of a number of books on tropical medicine and the first editor of the Indian Journal of Medical Research.

   Charles Lukis died in India on 22 October 1917 leaving his widow (a daughter of Colonel John Stewart, R.A.,) a son (elder brother of Theodore) and three daughters.

   Inscription on the Lukis Trophy:
   The Lukis Trophy
   Presented by Mrs C. Scaramanga-Ralli
   To the East London Boy Scouts
   In loving memory of Captain T S. Lukis M.D.
   2nd Battalion 13th London Regiment
   A pioneer Of Scouting who fell gloriously near Neuve Chapelle
   March 15th 1915
   (https://www.firstworldwar.com/features/lukis.htm)

2. Syndey Lukis,   b. 1887,   d. 1953
3. Ethel Maud Lukis,   b. 1889,   d. 1955
4. Dr. Dulcie Helen Lukis,   b. 12 Aug 1899, Simla, Bengal, India ,   d. 1944

Ethel Mary Stewart,   b. 8 Nov 1864, Bengal, India ,   d. 1948, Scotland 

In 1881, Ethel was residing with her aunt Charlotte Roberts nee Stewart in Kensington, England along with her sisters, Lilian and Helen and her cousin Eva, under the care of a governess.

Ethel married on 2 Nov 1887 in Jhansi, India   to Col. Ernest James Medley,   b. UNKNOWN,   d. 1930. It is not known if they had children.

Helen Lucy Stewart,   b. 16 Dec 1867, Fife, Scotland ,   d. 7 Jan 1954, Scotland  While her older sisters were born in India, census records indicate that Helen was born in Scotland. In 1881, she was residing with her aunt Charlotte Roberts nee Stewart in Kensington, England along with her sisters, Lilian and Ethel and her cousin Eva, under the care of a governess.

She married on 25 Jan 1887 in Cawnpore, India  to Francis Henry Bennett Skrine,   b. UNKNOWN,   d. Dec 1934. It is not known if they had children.

Lt. John Lindsay Stewart,   b. 24 Oct 1875, Ardvorlich, Comrie, Perthshire, Scotland ,   d. 12 Jun 1902, Muree, Punjab, India  John was a lieutenant in the 11th Bengal Lancers. He died without marrying and without children. (Gordon MacGregor, The Red Book of Scotland)

Augustus Baird Stewart,   b. 1 Oct 1877, Cawnpore Calcutta, Bengal, India ,   d. 8 Feb 1893, Ardvorlich, Comrie, Perthshire, Scotland.   He died as a youth.