Sir Ronald Stewart
14.8.1903-26.1.1999
"his quiet and dignified approach to his job, his fair and considerate leadership and his concern for the men and women around him endeared him to every one in the company."

London Brick Review 1979.

The last in the line of these extraordinary men is perhaps the most well known by the present villagers, Sir Ronald Stewart. Once again it is the story of a man who took on the family business but also the commitment to the village they had created.

Educated at Rugby School and then at Jesus College Cambridge, with a further 18 months in America, Ronald became a full-time employee of London Brick in February 1928 at the age of 25 years. Given no favors Ronald worked his way up having been through most departments from press boy to fitter. He was appointed Works Manager in 1930 and took his seat on the Board of Directors in 1934. He took charge of many programmes at other sites. Ronald having been lodging at No. 2 Stewartby Way moved to Stewartby House and then to the Grange in Maulden on his marriage to Cynthia Farmiloe.1939 he became Managing Director responsible for Production.

War years - Ronald remained at London Brick though was active with the Home Guard as was Cynthia, being a VAD helping with the WVS and taking care of many evacuees who came to the Grange.

1951 Sir Ronald succeeded his father to the Baronetcy

1954 Became Deputy Chairman of London Brick and High Sheriff of Bedfordshire.

1966 Became Chairman following the death of Sir Arthur Warboys and took the company into its most prosperous period.

Privately Sir Ronald was a great outdoors man, in his younger years loving rugby, cycling swimming and running. This then led to his great passion for motor racing winning him a host of trophies and his love of flying back at a time when aviation was still new.

Present villagers remember Sir Ronald as living and working here in Stewartby and being a very important part of their lives and when on 10th June 1936 he married Cynthia Farmiloe, few could have known the commitment she too was to give to the community. Both Sir Ronald and Lady Cynthia took an active part in the village ,many remember the great parties and outings and Lady Cynthia being a constant visitor to the village taking a special interest in the children.

26th January 1999 at the age of 95years Sir Ronald lost his struggle with ill health and once again a village mourned, once more the village was honoured , his ashes remain with those of his fathers in the Stewartby United Church.

Stewartby has always felt the commitment of the Stewart Family and even on the death of Lady Cynthia and Sir Ronald their patronage goes on. Still remains the model village they created and the care of their people goes on in the form of the Sir Malcolm Stewart General Charitable Trust.

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