The Old Maidstonian Society annually awards a tankard, dedicated to the memory of former member of MGS staff Alex Stewart, to the member of the Senior School contributing most during the School Year either on the field of play or in the administration of sporting activities. The presentation takes place at the Annual Supper.

It was originally stipulated that the award should be made for a period of not less than 20 years; the first presentation was made in 1973.

Alex Stewart
(MGS 1942-1972)

(From The Maidstonian, Winter 1972)

It was with feelings of deep shock that we heard in August of the sudden death of Alex Stewart. He was one of the characters of the School, a man who in the course of thirty years had stamped his personality on those aspects of the School where, for a part or the whole of that time, he had been primarily or completely responsible. The sports field, the dining-hall, the gymnasium, the swimming-bath, the quartermaster's store, the little room near the Staff entrance where he investigated ailments and peccadilloes, and dispensed first aid and rough justice - in these areas, Alex imposed his methods and struggled unremittingly to maintain the standards of order, good behaviour and honesty on which he placed the highest value.

If he was something of a holy terror to the shirker, this did not displease him. But the asperity and ferocity were only a protective covering, designed to prevent his basic kindness from being imposed on. There was no limit to the trouble he would take to look after someone genuinely sick or in trouble. One of the burdens he assumed was that of investigator of school 'crimes' - a role which drew on him some feelings of fear and hostility. But, though relentless in pursuing the offence, he would always help the offender, not indeed to escape punishment (for Alex believed that a punishment justly deserved was salutary) but to find the strength to face it. And Alex did not merely have the will, he had the knowledge drawn from years of experience which enabled him to distinguish the serious from the trivial accident or sickness, and to identify a culprit.

He was a very dedicated teacher, as interested in helping the timid, the duffer, or the boy with poor muscular co-ordination - provided always that the boy would try - as in giving expert coaching to those specially gifted in games and physical pursuits. He was a most able Rugby referee, serving in this capacity up to the highest levels, devoted to the game and to the enjoyment and development of those who played it. Incapable of partisanship, he brought to his referee's duties the integrity that characterised him. With Alex, the half-truth, the shirked responsibility, the unkept promise, were all unthinkable. He was the declared enemy of the sham, and was brutally outspoken in his condemnation of it.

I find that most of what I have said about Alex concerns his relations with the boys. This is as it should be, for his primary care was the real welfare and responsible development of the individuals in his charge. But he also gave help and advice to less experienced colleagues, and his long service to his professional association - he was local secretary of the NUT for several years - speaks for itself.

My own acquaintance with Alex is long. He came into my form in September 1929 - new master, new boy - and was in my Scout Troup for several years. In class, on the field, in camp, he was the same unassertive, dependable youngster. I lost touch with him for several years, but found him established in charge of the School's P.E. when I returned from Army service. Since then, although our tastes and interests have been widely different, I have found him a warm and affectionate friend, and we have seen eye to eye on most educational problems.

I shall miss him deeply, and so will the many Maidstonians who have passed through his hands - not least those who penetrated his forbidding exterior to find in him the kindly helper of whom they were in need.

Originally Written by C.P. Holyman