Evan George Stewart
Encyclopedia
Colonel Evan George Stewart (史伊尹上校) DSO
, OBE, ED, MA (1892–1958) was a British soldier and missionary to China.
, the seventh child of the Rev Robert Warren Stewart
MA and Louisa (née Smyly), both CMS missionaries in China who were then on home leave. Stewart went with his parents to their mission station in Kucheng, Fukien
Province, East China, in 1893 and was with them in 1895 at a nearby hill station called Hwa-sang when they were attacked by an insurgent group, the so-called "Vegetarians", who were opposed to all foreigners, particularly missionaries.
His parents were killed
as were one of his brothers, Herbert (aged 6), and one of his sisters, Hilda (aged 1), and their nursemaid. Evan survived, although it is said that he was hit on the head by a rifle butt, and was rescued from the then burning house by his sister Kathleen (aged 11), who also rescued their sister Mildred (aged 13) whose leg had been slashed by a sword. His elder brothers, Arthur, Philips and James, were at school in England.
The surviving children were taken to Dublin to their grandfather's large house, Gortleitragh, in Kingstown (renamed Dun Laoghaire
in 1922), where Evan, with his brother and sisters, were brought up by their uncles and aunts. Later they were looked after by their Aunt Emily ("Tem") at her home, Brighton Lodge, in nearby Monkstown
.
Educated in Dublin and then as a boarder at Wellington College
where he shone at Mathematics, History and in Athletics winning the English Public Schools 100 yds sprint.
On leaving school in 1910, went to Hong Kong to teach at St. Paul’s College
where his older brother Arthur was headmaster; this was partly to raise money to attend University. Joined "The Hong Kong Volunteers" in 1910 and was soon commissioned, thanks to his officer training in the O.T.C. at Wellington.
In 1913 returned to Dublin to attend Trinity as an undergraduate, reading History. In 1915, with the war becoming ever more demanding, he felt compelled to join up before completing his degree course although, as an undergraduate, he was then exempt from military service. He was commissioned immediately and volunteered for a machine-gun regiment, the Middlesex
. He served in France, was wounded twice and on one occasion returned to Dublin to convalesce. In France, briefly met his brother James, an Army padre who was killed in 1916, and later another brother, Philips who was a Major in the RAMC
. By the end of the war he was a Captain, acting Major, having been "on active service from 1915 to 1919".
After the trauma of trench warfare he did not feel able to resume his degree course immediately so returned to Hong Kong in 1920 to teach again at St. Paul's College. However, realizing that he would need a degree to be fully acceptable as a teacher, took an external London University Degree in History, graduating in 1925. In 1926 Trinity College granted him its Degree and the "right to wear the cap and gown of a graduate of the College" because his studies "had been interrupted by military service".
In 1928 married Dorothy Sarah Lander, daughter of the Rt. Rev. G. H. Lander
, Bishop of Hong Kong
from 1907 to 1920 and a previous headmaster of St. Paul's College. She was the younger sister of Kathleen, his brother Arthur's wife. They had one son, Robert Michael, born in 1931. He took over as Headmaster of St. Paul's College, in succession to his brother, in 1930, and remained headmaster, with the break of wartime, until his death.
When the Japanese invaded Hong Kong in 1941 he was a Major commanding the HKVDC No. 3 (Machine-Gun) Company, first on Stonecutters Island and later in the Wong Nei Chong Gap area. His actions were to result in an award of the Distinguished Service Order for which the citation noted that the successful evacuation of Stonecutters while under fire was greatly due to his powers of organization and leadership; while at Wong Nei Chong Gap, although wounded early in the fighting, he continued to command his Company with a total disregard for his own safety and suffering.
After the capture of Wong Nei Chong Gap by the enemy he organized the escape of the six survivors from that area and finally found his own way back alone through the enemy lines. Throughout, his conduct was an example to all of high courage and coolness. During the fighting at Wong Nei Chong Gap, his Company suffered 100% casualties in officers and over 80% in Other Ranks.
Before the start of hostilities, his wife and son had been evacuated to the Philippines
and then to Sydney. After the surrender on Christmas Day 1941 he was interned as a prisoner-of-war in the Argyle Street Camp. His wounds could not be properly treated and so, combined with malnutrition, he became severely ill so that on Liberation he was evacuated first to Australia and then to England to Stoke Mandeville Orthopaedic Hospital.
Returned to Hong Kong in 1947, despite a "dropped-foot" resulting from an inadequately treated shrapnel wound in his spine, and reopened St. Paul's College, which had been temporarily restarted as a co-educational school by Katie Wu.
He was Chairman of the HK Inter-Schools Sport Committee, Chairman of the HK School Certificate Panel, a member of the HK University Court, a member of St. John's Cathedral Council (and a Sidesman at the Cathedral), a member of St. John's College Council, on the Government's Appeals Board and was on served other Boards.
Joined the Hong Kong Regiment, the successor unit to the Hong Kong Defence Corps, and in 1950 transferred to the Home Guard taking over command from October 1954 to 1956. Led the Hong Kong Regiment's contingent in the Coronation Procession in London in 1954, chaired the committee on the history of the HKVDC and was awarded the OBE in 1955. Served as Honorary Colonel of the Hong Kong Regiment from March 1958 until his death later that year.
He died on 17 December 1958, when still Headmaster of St. Paul's College, at the age of only 66, mainly from the effects of his time as a prisoner-of-war. His very well attended memorial service was in St. John's Cathedral
on 23 December and his ashes were dispersed in the ground of St. Paul's College, which had played such a large part in his life.
Distinguished Service Order
The Distinguished Service Order is a military decoration of the United Kingdom, and formerly of other parts of the British Commonwealth and Empire, awarded for meritorious or distinguished service by officers of the armed forces during wartime, typically in actual combat.Instituted on 6 September...
, OBE, ED, MA (1892–1958) was a British soldier and missionary to China.
Biography
He was born on 27 March 1892 in BedfordBedford
Bedford is the county town of Bedfordshire, in the East of England. It is a large town and the administrative centre for the wider Borough of Bedford. According to the former Bedfordshire County Council's estimates, the town had a population of 79,190 in mid 2005, with 19,720 in the adjacent town...
, the seventh child of the Rev Robert Warren Stewart
Robert Warren Stewart
Rev. Robert Warren Stewart was an Irish missionary of the Church Missionary Society, London, stationed in Foochow, China.-Life:Robert Warren Stewart was born in March 1850 in Dublin. He was educated at Marlborough School and at Trinity College, Dublin...
MA and Louisa (née Smyly), both CMS missionaries in China who were then on home leave. Stewart went with his parents to their mission station in Kucheng, Fukien
Fujian
' , formerly romanised as Fukien or Huguing or Foukien, is a province on the southeast coast of mainland China. Fujian is bordered by Zhejiang to the north, Jiangxi to the west, and Guangdong to the south. Taiwan lies to the east, across the Taiwan Strait...
Province, East China, in 1893 and was with them in 1895 at a nearby hill station called Hwa-sang when they were attacked by an insurgent group, the so-called "Vegetarians", who were opposed to all foreigners, particularly missionaries.
His parents were killed
Kucheng Massacre
The Kucheng Massacre was a massacre of Western Christians that took place at Gutian, Fujian, China on August 1, 1895. At dawn of that day, a Buddhist group, the Zhaijiao attacked British missionaries who were then taking summer holidays at Gutian Huashan, killing eleven people and destroying two...
as were one of his brothers, Herbert (aged 6), and one of his sisters, Hilda (aged 1), and their nursemaid. Evan survived, although it is said that he was hit on the head by a rifle butt, and was rescued from the then burning house by his sister Kathleen (aged 11), who also rescued their sister Mildred (aged 13) whose leg had been slashed by a sword. His elder brothers, Arthur, Philips and James, were at school in England.
The surviving children were taken to Dublin to their grandfather's large house, Gortleitragh, in Kingstown (renamed Dun Laoghaire
Dún Laoghaire
Dún Laoghaire or Dún Laoire , sometimes anglicised as "Dunleary" , is a suburban seaside town in County Dublin, Ireland, about twelve kilometres south of Dublin city centre. It is the county town of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County and a major port of entry from Great Britain...
in 1922), where Evan, with his brother and sisters, were brought up by their uncles and aunts. Later they were looked after by their Aunt Emily ("Tem") at her home, Brighton Lodge, in nearby Monkstown
Monkstown
Monkstown is a placename shared by more than one area in Ireland:*Monkstown, County Cork, a town in County Cork.*Monkstown, County Dublin, a town or suburb on the outskirts of Dublin city in County Dublin....
.
Educated in Dublin and then as a boarder at Wellington College
Wellington College, Berkshire
-Former pupils:Notable former pupils include historian P. J. Marshall, architect Sir Nicholas Grimshaw, impressionist Rory Bremner, Adolphus Cambridge, 1st Marquess of Cambridge, author Sebastian Faulks, language school pioneer John Haycraft, political journalist Robin Oakley, actor Sir Christopher...
where he shone at Mathematics, History and in Athletics winning the English Public Schools 100 yds sprint.
On leaving school in 1910, went to Hong Kong to teach at St. Paul’s College
St. Paul's College, Hong Kong
St. Paul's College is an Anglican day school for boys in Mid Levels, Hong Kong and is located adjacent to University of Hong Kong. Established in 1851, it is the oldest secondary school in Hong Kong that is still in operation...
where his older brother Arthur was headmaster; this was partly to raise money to attend University. Joined "The Hong Kong Volunteers" in 1910 and was soon commissioned, thanks to his officer training in the O.T.C. at Wellington.
In 1913 returned to Dublin to attend Trinity as an undergraduate, reading History. In 1915, with the war becoming ever more demanding, he felt compelled to join up before completing his degree course although, as an undergraduate, he was then exempt from military service. He was commissioned immediately and volunteered for a machine-gun regiment, the Middlesex
Middlesex Regiment
The Middlesex Regiment was a regiment of the British Army. It was formed in 1881 as part of the Childers Reforms when the 57th and 77th Regiments of Foot were amalgamated with the county's militia and rifle volunteer units.On 31 December 1966 The Middlesex Regiment was amalgamated with three...
. He served in France, was wounded twice and on one occasion returned to Dublin to convalesce. In France, briefly met his brother James, an Army padre who was killed in 1916, and later another brother, Philips who was a Major in the RAMC
Royal Army Medical Corps
The Royal Army Medical Corps is a specialist corps in the British Army which provides medical services to all British Army personnel and their families in war and in peace...
. By the end of the war he was a Captain, acting Major, having been "on active service from 1915 to 1919".
After the trauma of trench warfare he did not feel able to resume his degree course immediately so returned to Hong Kong in 1920 to teach again at St. Paul's College. However, realizing that he would need a degree to be fully acceptable as a teacher, took an external London University Degree in History, graduating in 1925. In 1926 Trinity College granted him its Degree and the "right to wear the cap and gown of a graduate of the College" because his studies "had been interrupted by military service".
In 1928 married Dorothy Sarah Lander, daughter of the Rt. Rev. G. H. Lander
Gerard Heath Lander
The Rt Rev Gerard Heath Lander DD was an eminent Anglican priest in the first half of the 20th century....
, Bishop of Hong Kong
Bishop of Victoria, Hong Kong
The Bishop of Victoria, Hong Kong was the Ordinary of a corporation sole including Hong Kong and South China that ministered to 20,000 Anglicans....
from 1907 to 1920 and a previous headmaster of St. Paul's College. She was the younger sister of Kathleen, his brother Arthur's wife. They had one son, Robert Michael, born in 1931. He took over as Headmaster of St. Paul's College, in succession to his brother, in 1930, and remained headmaster, with the break of wartime, until his death.
When the Japanese invaded Hong Kong in 1941 he was a Major commanding the HKVDC No. 3 (Machine-Gun) Company, first on Stonecutters Island and later in the Wong Nei Chong Gap area. His actions were to result in an award of the Distinguished Service Order for which the citation noted that the successful evacuation of Stonecutters while under fire was greatly due to his powers of organization and leadership; while at Wong Nei Chong Gap, although wounded early in the fighting, he continued to command his Company with a total disregard for his own safety and suffering.
After the capture of Wong Nei Chong Gap by the enemy he organized the escape of the six survivors from that area and finally found his own way back alone through the enemy lines. Throughout, his conduct was an example to all of high courage and coolness. During the fighting at Wong Nei Chong Gap, his Company suffered 100% casualties in officers and over 80% in Other Ranks.
Before the start of hostilities, his wife and son had been evacuated to the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
and then to Sydney. After the surrender on Christmas Day 1941 he was interned as a prisoner-of-war in the Argyle Street Camp. His wounds could not be properly treated and so, combined with malnutrition, he became severely ill so that on Liberation he was evacuated first to Australia and then to England to Stoke Mandeville Orthopaedic Hospital.
Returned to Hong Kong in 1947, despite a "dropped-foot" resulting from an inadequately treated shrapnel wound in his spine, and reopened St. Paul's College, which had been temporarily restarted as a co-educational school by Katie Wu.
He was Chairman of the HK Inter-Schools Sport Committee, Chairman of the HK School Certificate Panel, a member of the HK University Court, a member of St. John's Cathedral Council (and a Sidesman at the Cathedral), a member of St. John's College Council, on the Government's Appeals Board and was on served other Boards.
Joined the Hong Kong Regiment, the successor unit to the Hong Kong Defence Corps, and in 1950 transferred to the Home Guard taking over command from October 1954 to 1956. Led the Hong Kong Regiment's contingent in the Coronation Procession in London in 1954, chaired the committee on the history of the HKVDC and was awarded the OBE in 1955. Served as Honorary Colonel of the Hong Kong Regiment from March 1958 until his death later that year.
He died on 17 December 1958, when still Headmaster of St. Paul's College, at the age of only 66, mainly from the effects of his time as a prisoner-of-war. His very well attended memorial service was in St. John's Cathedral
St. John's Cathedral, Hong Kong
St. John's Cathedral , officially The Cathedral Church of St. John the Evangelist and located at 4 Garden Road, Central, is an Anglican cathedral in Hong Kong. It is the Diocesan cathedral of the...
on 23 December and his ashes were dispersed in the ground of St. Paul's College, which had played such a large part in his life.