Biography

Stuart went to England in 1854 with his parents to continue his education.

On his return to Australia in 1864, he spent five years on cattle stations in Queensland and New South Wales, and by April of 1869 was back in Tasmania; he joined the staff of the Commercial Bank in Launceston, then housed in premises in Cameron Street. Stuart lived in Launceston and in 1871 entered into a partnership with John S. Taylor, a wool and grain merchant.

In 1874, Stuart married Rosa Cornelia Johnstone, daughter of William Johnstone, merchant of 'Beulah', High Street. This gentleman died in 1874 and Stuart joined with his brother-in-law, W. J. Johnstone, who they carried on the well-established Johnstone family business that had been founded in 1842 but changed its name to Johnstone & Wilmot Pty. Ltd. under which name the firm continues to operate. Stuart's partnership with Taylor was dissolved and that firm became Taylor Bros. and later the Tasmanian Woolgrowers' Association.

Stuart was municipal auditor for many years, a post later taken over by the Government; he served on the Marine Board for over fifteen years, was a member of the Board of the Launceston Gas Co., and of the Mt. Bischoff Tin Mining Co. for over fifteen years, and from 1895 to 1906 was a trustee of the Launceston Church Grammar School. He was one of the Executive Committee of the Launceston Bank for Savings, and a commissioner for the Sinking Fund of the Municipal Corporation. He was a founder of the Navy League in Launceston in 1900, and later helped establish branches in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. He was also on the Board of the Cornwall Insurance Co., and was chief representative of the Northern Assurance Co. Ltd.

Stuart lived with his wife at 'Fiona', Brisbane Street, in Launceston. They had three sons, Stuart Gerald, Trevor and Parry. The eldest son, Stuart Gerald, was born in 1884, and was educated at the Launceston Church Grammar School. He married Vera Constance Walker on 7^th January 1902. He entered the family firm but died in November 1919, thus predeceasing his parents.

Rosa, his mother, died in August 1924 and Stuart, his father, died in June 1932. To their memory three plaques, one of brass, the others of opus sectile mosaic, were erected in St. John's Church where the family worshipped for many years" These people have close family ties with Sir John Eardley-Wilmot, Governor of Van Diemen’s Land 1843-1846.
TO THE GLORY OF GOD
AND IN MEMORY OF
STUART,
FOR FIFTY YEARS THE HUSBAND OF
ROSA CORNELIA EARDLEY-WILMOT,
FELL  ASLEEP 2ND JUNE 1932
TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND IN LOVING MEMORY OF ROSA CORNELIA
FOR FIFTY YEARS THE WIFE OF STUART EARDLEY-WILMOT
FELL ASLEEP 17TH AUGUST 1924
TO THE GLORY OF GOD
AND IN LOVING MEMORY OF
STUART GERALD EARDLEY-WILMOT WHO DIED 12TH NOVEMBER 1919 AGED 35 YEARS
In 1910, Walter Perrin-and the Reverend J. S. Bryers of St. John's gave four stained-glass windows for the church choir vestry in honour of the Governor Sir John Eardley-Wilmot. Each of these four windows displays the heraldic arms of people whose lives have some significance to St. John's. Sir John was the sixth Governor of Van Diemen’s Land from 1843 to 1846. The blazon of Sir John’s arms reads:
Arms:
Sa on a Fess Or. between two eagles' heads couped Ar, as many Escallops Gu.
Crest:
On a wreath of the colours, an eagle's head couped Ar, in the beak an Escallop Gu

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