George Stewart (VC)

Led his men against hostile guns during the Lucknow advance.

William George Drummond Stewart, generally known as George Stewart, was born in 1831 and belonged to the family associated with Grandtully and Murthly in Perthshire. Educated at Oscott, he entered the 93rd Highlanders as an ensign in 1847. He fought in the Crimean War at Alma and Balaklava and during the siege of Sebastopol. His service brought the British and Turkish Crimea medals and the fifth class of the Ottoman Order of the Medjidie.

The regiment next served in India during the rebellion of 1857. At Lucknow on 16 November, guns covering the route of advance were causing casualties among the attacking troops. Stewart led men of his company and others who joined them in a bayonet assault. They took the guns and continued against the buildings beyond, helping the advance proceed. His Victoria Cross was one of the awards selected by ballot within the regiment for the day's fighting.

The award was announced in December 1858. Stewart received the cross in India and subsequently retired on half pay with the rank of major. He later served as an assistant inspector of volunteers. He died at Fawley, near Hythe, Hampshire, in October 1868 and was buried in the family vault at St Mary's, Grandtully. His surviving commemorations connect his service with both the Highland regiment and the Perthshire family estates.

Victoria Cross citation: For distinguished personal gallantry at Lucknow, on the 16th November, 1857, in leading an attack upon and capturing two guns, by which the position of the mess house was secured. Elected by the Officers of the Regiment.

The London Gazette of 24 December 1858, Numb. 22212, p. 5514