Stevenson, James, 1873-1926

James Stevenson, Baron Stevenson of Holmbury (1873-1926), was born in Kilmarnock on 2 April 1873, and was educated at Kilmarnock Academy. He joined John Walker & Sons, the local distillers, and worked his way up to the position of Managing Director. Under his guidance the company prospered.

At the outbreak of war in 1914, Stevenson offered his services to the Government gratuitously in any capacity in which he might be useful, and on the formation of the Ministry of Munitions under Lloyd George in 1915 he was appointed Director of Area Organization. In 1917 he was made Vice-Chairman of the Ministry of Munitions Advisory Committee, and in 1918 the member of the Munitions Council for ordnance. He was created a baronet in 1917.

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