Page 116 - QDG 2023

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1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards
It was with great regret that his many friends, especially those that served with him in the Regiment heard of the death of Simon Stewart at his home in Swinburne, Northumberland, on Wednesday 20th September 2023, whilst surrounded by his family.
Simon, during the final year of his life, fought stoically against cancer, a battle that he fought with great bravery and cheerful- ness to the last. He was lucky in one way during this difficult year to have had such a devoted and unselfish wife as Katie to look after him.
Simon or “Stewpot” as he
was fondly known, grew up in
Lymington, Hampshire but after
his 29 year Army service moved
to Katie’s family home in Swin-
burne, Northumberland, where
he also served for 4 years as the
County Director of the British Red Cross, then as the Chambers Director of Trinity Chambers in Newcastle upon Tyne, from 1998-2018.
He was first commissioned into the 4th Royal Tank Regiment, equipped with Saladin and based in Herford, Germany in 1967, moving to Hohne and Chieftain tanks and the Guided Weapons Troop in 1969 where he combined soldiering with sailing in the Baltic, skiing in the Alps and driving his distinctive Open-Top Triumph Vitesse accompanied by his beloved “Napoleon”, a cocker spaniel.
A move to Catterick in 1971 as a “Link Officer” brought him in close contact with the QDG in the role of Royal Armoured Corps Training Regiment (RACTR), where he built up a strong rapport with his QDG peers. At Catterick he met with Catherine (Katie) (Riddell), his future wife, but being an adventurer and seeking fun, he volunteered for a tour with The Sultan’s Armed Forces (SAF) in Oman, where he honed his desert warfare and infantry skills.
Upon his return from Oman in 1974 he transferred to the Regiment, joined 2nd Troop, A Squadron briefly, then to RHQ as the Intelligence Officer and married Katie in July of that year.
Back to A Sqn as 2 i/c in 1976, then as OC from 1977-
May 1979, where his enlarged Sqn provided Close Recce Troops for the mostly BAOR based Battle- groups, gaining his squadron a reputation for professionalism and tactical excellence.
But in May 1979, he was sent off to Ist (UK) Armoured Division in Verden as the SO3 Ops until attending Staff College (SC) from Oct 1980 - Dec 1981 after which he was posted back to QDG as OC C Sqn from Dec 1981 - March 1984, with regimental moves from Omagh to Wimbish and his squadron to Cyprus and Beirut. A subsequent Directing Staff (DS) appointment at the Junior Division of the Staff College (JDSC) from Mar 1984 – July 1986 was a useful prelude to his post-Staff College “Black Bag” appointment as SO2 Ops, HQ DRAC at HQ I (BR) Corps from July 1986 - April 1988 which ticked
the boxes for promotion but not before his final tour as a major, in what he called a really fun job, as the SO2 RAC at the Battle Group Tactical Trainer (N) (BGTT(N)) based in Catterick until Jan 1990 and promotion.
Described as “the epitome of a gentleman and resolute support and ally”, Simon was a popular figure being eternally courteous, agreeably humorous and invariably immaculately dressed in shirt and tie and well-polished shoes. As a squadron leader particu- larly, his organizational skills and a flair for leadership ensured that his men were operationally competent, loyal and motivated.
His leadership and diplomatic skills were tested particularly in Beirut where warring factions battled for supremacy and control of the city. His Squadron as a part of the Multi National peace-keeping force (BRIT- FORLEB), attempted, very successfully as it happens, to keep the factions separated for the most part. It was Simon who initiated the signal “The Eagle Has Landed” when C Squadron arrived by ship from Cyprus. Simon claims that it was he who was the first member of the squadron to set foot on the ground, but this is disputed by his then SSM, Martin “Ordy” Ord, who also claims the accolade.
Obituaries
Lt Col Simon Stewart OBE