Aircraftman 1st Class Frederick Stewart (638353) served in the Royal Air Force during the Second World War. Known as Freddie, he was the son of Robert Stewart and Rebecca Stewart of 6 Louisville, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone. Brothers Fusilier Isaac Stewart and William Stewart served in the Royal Irish Fusiliers and Royal Air Force respectively.
He died on 27th July 1940 aged 22 years old when a bomb exploded prematurely at RAF Newtown, Nottinghamshire. During loading of bombs onto Fairey Battle L5528, one device dislodged from its mount. The bomb began to burn and both aircrew and ground crew attempted to extinguish the flames. The resulting explosion killed the aircrew and several members of the ground crew of RAF 150 Squadron including Stewart. A total of 6 members of the Royal Air Force died at the scene, leaving 5 others injured. One of the injured parties died as a result of his injuries the following day.
| Last Name | First Name(s) | Rank | Role | Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blom | Walter Michael | Flight Lieutenant | Pilot | RAF 40041. Distinguished Flying Cross. Killed. |
| Cann | Walter Ypres | Leading Aircraftman | Ground Crew | RAF 638518. Killed. |
| Flynn | Henry J. | Leading Aircraftman | RAF 630269. Killed. | |
| Franklin | William Henry James "Bill" | Sergeant | Ground Crew | RAF 522061. British Empire Medal. Killed. |
| Gould | Albert Edward Frank | Sergeant | RAF 524674. Died as a result of injuries the following day. | |
| Hall | George Arthur | Leading Aircraftman | RAF 619068. Killed. | |
| Sharp | Denis Harold | Corporal | Ground Crew | RAF 619842. Killed. |
| Stewart | Frederick | Aircraftman 1st Class | Ground Crew | RAF 638353. Killed. |
Frederick Stewart’s grave is in Grave 1A of St. Peter’s Churchyard, East Bridgford, Nottinghamshire, England. His headstone bears the inscription:
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.