Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Captain Gerald Charles Stewart, 10th Hussars, twice wounded in 1914 and killed in action at Ypres on 13 May 1915

1914 Star, with copy clasp (Capt: & Adj: G. C. Stewart, 10/Hrs.); British War and Victory Medals (Capt. G. C. Stewart) together with Bronze Memorial Plaque (Gerald Charles Stewart) all contained in a contemporary display frame, glass lacking, extremely fine (4) £800-1000

Gerald Charles Stewart, descended form the Londonderry Stewarts, was born at Addlestone, Surrey, on 29 March 1888, elder son of Charles John Stewart, Public Trustee, and of Lady Mary Stewart, eldest daughter of Hector, 3rd Earl of Norbury. He was educated at St David’s, Reigate; Harrow and the Royal Military College, Sandhurst. The following is taken from Harrow Memorials of the Great War:

‘Captain Stewart was gazetted to the 10th Royal Hussars in 1907 and attached to the 18th Hussars at York for the summer. He joined the 10th Hussars at Rawal Pindi in the autumn of 1907, and was appointed Adjutant in 1912. He took part with his regiment in quelling riots at Johannesburg in 1913. On the outbreak of the War he went to the Front with the 7th Division in October, 1914, and was twice wounded at the first battle of Ypres [at Zandvoorde on 22 October, and at Klein Zillebeke on 30 October]. He was killed on May 13th, 1915, at the second Battle of Ypres.

A brother-officer wrote:-
“He died a very splendid soldier’s death, leading his men in one of the most glorious counter-attacks ever made in the history of the British Army. It was such a fine performance that all the English troops who saw it cheered the survivors to the echo. He was a magnificent soldier and universally beloved by everyone in the Regiment. The recovery of his body is largely due to a piece of fine gallantry in going out for it on the part of Borthwick. The Regiment are in a magnificent state at the present moment, owing to Gerald’s hard work in the past.”

Another officer wrote:-
“Just a line to tell you we buried poor old Jorrocks with his Colonel last night in two graves side by side. Clem Mitford’s grave is just ahead of them, so all those dear good chaps are together. The whole Regiment went to the funeral, and Generals Byng, Kavanagh and Bulkeley Johnston, besides all the old 10th that could go. A bombardment was taking place at the time - it was most impressive and very sad - but it was worthy of the two men, for they were both more than ordinary heroes, and their last performance was magnificent, quite up to Balaklava.” Captain Stewart is buried in Vlamertinghe Military Cemetery.

See lot 1144 for brother’s medals.