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Surgeon Lieutenant Colonel J M Stewart
Late The Life Guards
by Major C N Haworth-Booth
formerly The Life Guards
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 John Stewart is held in affectionate memory by all who knew him and especially by The Life Guards and the Household Cavalry. Not only was he our doctor and confidant from 1967 to 1980, he took a full part in active duty. He was an enthusiastic and gallant rider, who enjoyed his ceremonial duties and, especially, hunting with the Weser Vale in Germany and taking part in show jumping events.
This is shown by the many tributes from his friends in all ranks, praising his professionalism, humour, kindness and understanding. Above all, the consistency of affection in these memories testifies to the universal high esteem in which John was held, as an officer and gentleman. John soon made his mark in the Regiment with his charm and style of dealing with all types of case, as shown by anecdotes from the time - half a century ago.
A young officer fainted after making a blood donation and made his way to the medical centre. Informed that the RMO was in his office (after hours, of course) the officer found John with his feet up, on the telephone to William Hill, watching the racing on the telly and reading Sporting Life. He was a serious punter, having learnt the habit, it is said, from his grandmother. The officer recovered swiftly.
Many speak of the skilled professional care he always gave to his patients and, on overseas tours particularly, to their wives. On more than one occasion he saved lives, earning the gratitude and respect of the whole Regiment.
John was highly thought of in the wider sphere of the NHS and acted as a consultant to local hospitals. At Combermere a trooper, due for a posting to Pirbright, complained of bad feet. John told him that there seemed to be nothing wrong with his feet but asked if he would like to see a specialist consultant at King Edward V11 (NHS) hospital Windsor. On arrival at the specialist’s office the trooper was startled to see John himself sitting at the desk. The advice was the same.
His advice was always straightforward - he once informed a would-be parachutist at his medical that he was physically A1 but that, mentally, he was not sure. Why would anyone jump out of a serviceable aircraft?
After breaking his neck in Detmold, a soldier was mortified to learn that he had advised the Colonel, at the time, to ‘move elsewhere’ and to leave him alone. Needless to say John, in his easy going way, ignored this advice thereby earning the patient’s eternal gratitude. Habitually, he would make light of difficult situations and carry on with his professional duty regardless of distractions.
John Malcolm Stewart was born in Anlaby, near Hull in 1930 and was educated at Sedbergh School in Yorkshire. Here he developed his love of rugby and in 1949 he played for Yorkshire against Wales. Then came two years of National Service, after which he went up to St. Andrews University where he studied Medicine and joined the RAMC as part of the Territorial Army. Here he met his future wife, Jean Robertson and they married in 1956 - a little too soon after his graduation for Jean’s mother, who thought a scandal would ensue. There was, of course, no scandal, it was just that they wanted to start their life together, which they both did in General Practice in Portsmouth.
In 1964 John re-joined the RAMC and, as a Major, was stationed with 28 Brigade at Terendak Camp, Malacca on the west coast of Malaysia. This was the time when The Life Guards were deployed in the Far East at Seremban, with squadrons in Singapore and Hong Kong and so John’s association with the Regiment began to the future benefit of all.
While he was at Terendak, Vientiane, the capital of Laos, became flooded, putting all public services out of order. John led a Field Ambulance team of six specialists to the area and between them, over three weeks they treated 8,000 injured Laotians and vaccinated 15,000 against cholera on a house to house and mobile clinic basis. They were all personally thanked by the Laotian Prime Minister.
After returning to England John joined the Regiment at Windsor as RMO and was welcomed by the friends he had already made in the Far East. He quickly slipped into his role, wholeheartedly embracing the tactical and ceremonial duties within the Household Cavalry.
John, now promoted to Surgeon Lieutenant Colonel, enjoyed himself hugely between Knightsbridge, Windsor, Detmold (BAOR), Norway, Jamaica (it is not clear exactly what role he played there!) and Northern Ireland. On one of these trips to Ireland, Lord Mountbatten became unwell and John was asked to accompany him on his flight home, for which he received a very nice letter of thanks.
In 1977, John became an officer of St. John’s Ambulance as Divisional Surgeon, which meant he could cover events such as Windsor Horse Show and the Three Day Event, which he enjoyed for several years and he also officiated at the Guards Polo Club. He was keen to be on a horse whenever he could and he became a familiar figure mounted on his favourite grey. He was never afraid to have a go at whatever was on offer even if he found himself being run away with on occasion, much to the amusement of all. Above all, he enjoyed himself and everyone enjoyed his company.
John left the Army in 1980 and obtained his certificate of Aviation Medicine before joining British Airways to start their first Travel Clinic, on Regent Street. He set up and ran five of these clinics as Senior Medical Officer. Amongst his many duties at BA was that of carrying out regular medicals on all BA pilots, wherever they might be, allowing him to take a choice of locations in favoured spots for himself and Jean.
During this phase of his career, John found himself and his co-doctor with a complete change of culture - a staff consisting entirely of females. John shared a desk with his co-doctor and she was a little surprised one day when she discovered a small electrical device in a drawer, which turned out to be the smallest TV known to man! It was, of course, to watch the racing whilst still being able to carry out his duties. It is recalled that John was not above asking the most junior nurse, with that twinkle in his eye, if she wouldn’t mind popping out to the local William Hill shop to place a bet for him during her lunch hour. Of course, she wouldn’t!
They all, naturally, loved and respected him although not without the odd disagreement. John had laid down the law in good military fashion, which was immediately described as chauvinism as a result of his male dominated background. Perhaps John had just backed a loser or he had overstepped it somehow but ‘it all blew over very quickly and we were back to the professional and cheerful atmosphere that characterised our time working together’ was the comment.
He is recalled by his BA staff as being courteous, kind, humorous and thoroughly professional - the same qualities he had shown with the Regiment - and they felt privileged to have worked with him and to have benefitted from his wide knowledge and good sense.
In retirement, John and Jean enjoyed themselves at The Anchorage at Thorpe where they had lived for a long time and they were able to see more of their children and grandchildren. They also travelled widely to America and the Middle East.
John loved his family, his garden and his cats. He suffered from Parkinson’s from the early 2000s and Jean sadly died in 2007. He continued to live at The Anchorage until 2010 when he moved to a care home, The Priory, in Arundel. There, despite needing help, he remained his usual charming self as he regaled the staff with memories of his active and colourful life.
He died on 6th May 2014 and is survived by his two sons, John and James and his daughter Susan. His Memorial Service at Thorpe coincided with the Presentation of Standards to The Household Cavalry.
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