Stewart Loudoun-Shand

Stewart Walter Loudoun-Shand
Born	8 October 1879 Ceylon
Died	1 July 1916 (aged 36) Near Fricourt, France
Buried	Norfolk Cemetery, Becordel-Becourt
Allegiance	United Kingdom
Service/branch	British Army
Years of service	1899-1916 †
Rank	Major
Unit	Pembroke Yeomanry The Yorkshire Regiment (Alexandra, Princess of Wales's Own)
Commands held	10th Battalion, The Yorkshire Regiment (Alexandra, Princess of Wales's Own)
Battles/wars	Second Boer War World War I
Awards	Victoria Cross

Major Stewart Walter Loudoun-Shand VC (8 October 1879 – 1 July 1916) was a British recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

He was born in Ceylon but moved to South London for his schooling, he lived at 27 Alleyn Park Road Dulwich, and attended Dulwich College between 1891 and 1897 where he excelled at sport, especially Cricket. He was one of the ten children of John Loudoun Shand and his wife Lucy, and was the second of the five brothers. His father, who originated from Scotland, adopted his middle name Loudoun as the first part of a double-barrelled surname, and all members of the family followed suit. His father, John Loudoun Loudoun-Shand (died 2 February 1932 at Craigellie, Alleyn Park, Dulwich, aged 86 years) was a prominent plantation owner in what was then called Ceylon. Arriving in the Island in 1864 Mr. Loudoun-Shand did a lot of planting chiefly in the Dimbula and Dickoya districts and in 1879 and 1880 was elected Chairman of the Planters' Association of Ceylon in what was a difficult period. Known as "Silver-tongued Shand" due to his oratory prowess, in 1882 and 1884 he was Planting Member of the Legislative Council. He was also an Honorary Life Member of the Ceylon Association in London. Stewart's mother died in September 1930 in Ceylon. She had travelled there in 1872 to be married.

Along with his four brothers, he attended Dulwich College. His eldest brother, William, followed his father into the planting business. Alexander, the third brother, became a Commander in the Royal Australian Navy and was the head of the Royal Australian Naval College. The youngest of the five brothers, Eric Loudoun-Shand was a rugby union international and recipient of the Military Cross. The fourth of Stewart's four brothers was C. B. Loudoun-Shand who resided Delta, Pussellawa for a while. He was known as 'Bosun' Loudoun-Shand and was the Colonel of the volunteer force 'The Ceylon Planters Rifle Corps' .

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