William George Drummond Stewart
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William George Drummond Stewart VC (February 1831-19 October 1868) was a Scottish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
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Stewart was about 26 years old, and a Captain in the 93rd (Sutherland) Highlanders (later The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders - Princess Louise's), British Army during the Indian Mutiny when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 16 November 1857 at Lucknow, India, Captain Stewart led an attack, with a small force, on two of the enemy's guns which were maintaining a heavy flanking fire and which covered the approach to the barracks. Captain Stewart captured the guns and was able to gain possession of the barracks.
George (as he was known) Stewart was the son of Captain William Stewart and his wife Maria Christina née Battersby; was born in February 1831 and entered the Army on 2 June 1847 as an Ensign in the 93rd Highland Regt., and after four years home service attained his promotion as Lieutenant, becoming a Captain two years later on 29 December 1854. In February 1854, on the outbreak of war with Russia, the 93rd Highlanders embarked for the Crimea, where they were destined to see much fighting and to win great renown.
Stewart was present at the Battle of Alma on 20 September that year, when the 93rd, as part of the Highland Brigade, 1st Division, stormed the Great Russian Battery on the Alma Heights with the other Highland Regiments and Foot Guards (93rd losses: 1 officer, 54 men).
He was also present at the Battle of Balaklava a month later on 25th October, where the 93rd alone formed the now famous 'Thin Red Line' which, unsupported, repulsed the charge of a large body of the enemy’s cavalry, and thereby prevented a direct assault on the port of Balaklava. He also served in the Siege of Sevastopol through the winter of 1854/5. He was wounded in the trenches above the besieged port, and remained in the Crimea until July 1856, when his regiment returned to England. For his services in the Campaign, he received the Crimean Medal with clasp for Alma, Balaclava and Sebastopol, the Turkish Medal and the Order of the Medjidie (5th class).
The following summer found the 93rd on its way to India, where the laurels gained in the Crimea were to be more than doubled. The regiment reached Calcutta in September 1857, just in time to join Sir Colin Campbell's advance to relieve the Siege of Lucknow. The heroic achievements of Sir Colin’s little forces are now matters of history, foremost among them stand the operations of 16th November – the Capture of the Secunderabagh and the Shah Najaf – deeds with which the name of the 93rd will ever be associated.
While the artillery was being brought to bear on the Sikandarabagh, Capt. Stewart, with some Highlanders and a few of the 53rd Regiment of Foot, advanced towards two of the enemy’s guns, which were maintaining a heavy flanking fire and which covered the approach to the barracks – a large cross-shaped building surrounded by outhouses. Stewart captured the guns in a most gallant manner, and by this means his little force was able to gain possession of the barracks – an action which Lord Roberts says (to quote “Forty-one years in India” Vol. I., page 323), “was as serviceable as it was heroic, for it silenced the fire most destructive to the attacking force.” The possession of this building secured the left of the British advance, and greatly facilitated the ultimate withdrawal of the garrison of Lucknow. “Stewart, perceiving the annoyance which these two guns were causing, and the injury that they might still cause, called upon his company (No.2), and at the head of it, increased in weight and numbers by a few men of the other companies, and of the 53rd, who had joined our men, dashed forward in the most gallant style, captured the guns at the point of the bayonet, turned the guns on the flying rebels, and then, pushing forward at the double, while Captain Cornwall, with his company (No.3) and the men of other companies, followed in support, assaulted the large pile of building called the barracks, situated in the left front of the Sikanderbagh, drove the enemy out, and established themselves in it” (from ‘Historical Records of the 93rd Sutherland Highlanders’, compiled and edited by Roderick Hamilton Burgoyne, late 93rd Highlanders, London, 1883). “Captain Stewart was an officer of remarkable coolness in action, nothing ever appearing to disturb his equanimity in the very slightest degree.” (From “An Reisimeid Chataich, The 93rd Sutherland Highlanders”, by Brig. Gen. A.E.J. Cavendish, CMG. 1928).
Six Victoria Crosses in all were bestowed on the 93rd Highlanders for their gallantry on the 16th November, but Sir Colin Campbell decided, perhaps fearing that he might be accused of partiality, that only one of these should be given to the officers. Votes were therefore taken and Capt. Stewart was chosen by his brother officers to receive the much prized honour. A total of 24 Victoria Crosses were awarded to British forces at Lucknow on 16th November 1857, the largest number ever awarded in a single day.
After the withdrawal of the Lucknow garrison, Sir Colin’s Army was hurried back to Cawnpore, and Stewart took part in the great battle which ensued there on the 6th Dec. Once more his regiment was in the thick of the fighting and two days later it formed part of the force under Sir Hope Grant, which completed the destruction of the Gwalior rebels, as they were attempting to cross the Ganges at Oude. After two months of minor operations the 93rd once more fought its way in to Lucknow under Sir Colin Campbell, and distinguished itself no whit less than on the previous occasion. Stewart took part in the storming of the Mogum’s Palace on 11th March 1858, and with characteristic daring led a small party beyond the building in pursuit of the mutineers. Lucknow captured, the 93rd was sent into Rohilkand under Brigadier-General Walpole, helped to defeat the enemy at Alaganj, and fought under Sir Colin Campbell at Bareilly. There the regiment remained throughout the hot weather, and in the following winter took part in the pacification of Oude, which was finally accomplished by the beginning of 1859.
For his services in this campaign, besides the Victoria Cross, Capt. Stewart received the mutiny medal with clasp for Lucknow. His Victoria Cross was gazetted (No. 22212) 24 Dec. 1858: “William George Drummond Stewart, Capt., 93rd Highlanders. Date of Act of Bravery: 16 Nov. 1857. In leading an attack and capturing two guns, by which the position of the Mess House was secured. Elected by the officers of the regiment”.
William Stewart was promoted Major but left the Army in 1860. On 19th October 1868, while at Hythe, Hampshire, Stewart was giving a demonstration of sword swallowing when the trick went fatally wrong. He died from internal injuries on 26th October of that year. William Stewart predeceased his father.
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Elected by the officers of the regiment.
[edit] The medal
Privately held
[edit] References
- The Journal of the Victoria Cross Society, 150th Indian Mutiny Anniversary Edition, Oct 2007.
- Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
- The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
- Scotland's Forgotten Valour (Graham Ross, 1995)
- Military History of Perthshire (edited by the Duchess of Athol).
- Historical Records of the 93rd Sutherland Highlanders (compiled and edited by Roderick Hamilton Burgoyne, late 93rd Highlanders. London, 1883)
- An Reisimeid Chataich, The 93rd Sutherland Highlanders (Brig. Gen. A.E.J. Cavendish, CMG. 1928)
- History of the 93rd Sutherland Highlanders...1800-1895 (Lt.Col. Percy Groves, R.G.A. W & AK Johnston, Edinburgh & London, 1895)
- Records of Service and Campaigning In Many Lands (Surgeon-General Munro, MD, CB., late of 93rd Highlanders. London. 1887)
- Reminiscences of Military Service with the 93rd Sutherland Highlanders (Surgeon-General Munro, MD, CB., formerly surgeon of the regiment. London. 1883)
- Reminiscences of the Great Mutiny 1857-59 (Wm. Forbes-Mitchell, late sergeant 93rd Highlanders. London. 1895)
- Recollections of A Highland Subaltern (Lt. Col. W. Gordon-Alexander, late 93rd Highlanders. London. 1898)
- Fighting Highlanders! The History of The Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders (Major P.J.R. Mileham. London. 1993)
- Famous Regiments, The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (by Douglas Sutherland, M.C. London. 1969)
- The Scottish Regiments 1633-1987 (Maj. P.J.R. Mileham. 1988)
- The Scottish Soldier (Stephen Wood. Manchester. 1987)
- Soldiers of Scotland (Lt. Col. John Baynes Bt, M.Sc. 1988)
- The Highland Brigade in the Crimea (founded on letters written during the years 1854, 1855 & 1856, by Lt. Col. Anthony Sterling, "a staff officer who was there")
- Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (Wm. McElwee and Michael Roffe. Osprey. 1972)
