D. C. Stewart-Smith facts for kids

Major Dudley Cautley Stewart-Smith was an important British lawyer and officer. He was born on October 12, 1894, and passed away on June 8, 1957. He held several key roles, including being a Deputy Judge Advocate, which meant he helped with military law. He also served as a Councillor in Calcutta (now Kolkata), India, and was a member of the State Council of Ceylon (now Sri Lanka).

Early Life and Education

Dudley Cautley Stewart-Smith was born in Cheshire, England. He was the oldest son of Sir Dudley Stewart-Smith and Katherine Cautley. He went to University College, Oxford to study.

Becoming a Lawyer

Stewart-Smith became a lawyer on November 17, 1916. He was officially allowed to practice law by the Middle Temple, which is one of the professional groups for barristers in London.

Serving in World War I

Stewart-Smith joined the army during World War I. He first joined the Royal Fusiliers. In December 1914, he became a Second Lieutenant in the 3rd Battalion of the Black Watch, a famous Scottish regiment. In January 1916, he was part of the fighting in the Battle of Hanna.

Family Life

In 1923, Dudley Stewart-Smith married Phyllis Luson in London. They had three children together. Their first child, Phyllis Jean, was born in Calcutta in 1925. Their other two children, Priscilla (born 1931) and Geoffrey (born 1933), were both born in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Public Service Roles

Stewart-Smith was involved in public service in India and Ceylon (now Sri Lanka).

Councillor in Calcutta

In 1924, he worked as a Councillor for the Calcutta Municipal Corporation. This meant he helped manage the city's affairs.

Member of the State Council of Ceylon

Later, in 1932, he became a nominated member of the 1st State Council of Ceylon. This council was like a parliament, helping to govern the country. He took over this role from T. L. Villiers.

Later Career and World War II

On September 8, 1939, Stewart-Smith was appointed as a Deputy Judge Advocate. This was a very important legal role within the military. He held this position until he retired in 1955. After World War II ended, he served on a special court. Between 1946 and 1947, he was a member of the War crimes tribunal in Hamburg. This tribunal investigated serious crimes committed during the war.

Later Life

Dudley Cautley Stewart-Smith passed away on June 8, 1957. He died in Weybridge, which is in Surrey, England.