Stewart (known as Sydney) was the son of Harry and Leonora née Lublinski of Paddington, London.

Sydney attended the Royal Masonic School where he matriculated when he was fifteen. He was a member of the West Central Boy’s Club and the Polytechnic Swimming Club. In 1939, his father died and Sydney lived with his mother at 159 Wymering Mansions, Paddington. He enlisted into the RAF in March 1939.

Sydney was the observer in Wellington R1470 which departed at 18.47 on the 3 April 1941 from RAF Marham. They were part of a large force of bombers despatched to attack the Scharnhorst and Gneisenau warships.

Returning from the operation the aircraft was shot down by a Ju 88c intruder, Lt. Heinz Volker I./NJG 2. and crashed at 01.20 on marshland at Ongar, Terrington St. Clement, 5 miles W of King’s Lynn. Killing all the crew. Sergeant Russell, the rear gunner, initially survived the crash and was badly injured. He was found after several hours and died later of exposure.

Pilot, Constantinos Marios Thompson.
2nd Pilot, Humphrey Yule Chard.
W/Op A/G, John Stephen Christopher Sherman.
Sgt, Eric Keetley, his body was not found and is commemorated on Runnymede Memorial.
R/G, J G Russell.