Amin/Picton-Turbervill engagement

 The engagement was announced 22 November, 2024, between Nima Amin, only son of Kamran and Gelareh Amin, of South Kensington, London, & Catherine Picton-Turbervill (born 1995), scion of that landed gentry family, the only daughter of David Picton-Turbervill (born 1964), of Four Marks, Winchester, Hampshire, by his wife the former Lucy C. Manners (born 1964), descended maternally from the Trafford landed gentry family and from the Barons Petre and Barons Clifford of Chudleigh.

William, 12th Baron Petre > Hon Eleanor Petre > Maj. Cecil Trafford > Jane Trafford > Lucy Manners > Catherine Picton-Turbervill

Hugh, 7th Baron Clifford of Chudleigh > Maj Gen Hon Sir Hugh Clifford VC > Sir Hugh Charles Clifford > Monica Clifford > Jane Elizabeth Mary Trafford > Lucy Manners (as above)

-=-

Ajax Simon Wilhelm Benitz (born 2024)

Celia Rose Benitz (nee Weinstock, born 1985), wife of Max Edward F. Benitz [born 1985], gave birth to a son Ajax Simon Wilhelm, 9 November, 2924.

Celia is the second daughter of the late Hon Simon Andrew Weinstock [1952-96], and his wife the former Laura Helen Legh [born 16 May, 1954] [now Laura Weinstock Sykes, of Milton Lilbourne, Wiltshire] scion of the Barons Newton.

Max Benitz is the youngest son of Bryan Benitz, of Wylye, Wiltshire, and his wife, nee ____ Hutchinson.

The 3rd Baron Newton [1888-1960] > Maj Hon Sir Francis Legh [1919-84] > Laura Helen Legh [b 1954] > Celia Weinstock [b 1985] > Ajax Benitz

=-

The Baron Prescott 1938-2024

 The Baron Prescott, who died 20 November, 2024, aged 86, was a life peer and politician, who served as Deputy Prime Minister from 1997 to 2007, and as First Secretary of State from 2001 to 2007.

John Leslie Prescott (born 31 May, 1938),  was a son of John Herbert Prescott (1911-2001), and his wife the former Phyllis Parrish (who died 2003). Prescott served as Labour MP for Kingston upon Hull East for 40 years, from 1970 to 2010. He was often seen as the political link to the working class in a Labour Party increasingly led by modernising, middle-class professionals such as Tony Blair and Peter Mandelson, and developed a reputation as a key conciliator in the often fractious relationship between Blair and Gordon Brown.

It was announced on 28 May 2010 that Prescott was to be awarded a life peerage. The peerage was gazetted on 15 June in the 2010 in the Dissolution Honours. He was introduced into the House of Lords on 8 July, 2010, as Baron Prescott, of Kingston upon Hull in the County of East Yorkshire.

Lord Prescott is survived by his wife the former Pauline Tilston, whom he married in 1961, and leaves issue, two sons.

He was appointed to the Privy Council in 1994, but resigned in 2013.

-=-

David Murray Davidson

 David Murray Davidson died 15 November, 2024. 

He was a son of Colonel Robert St Clair Davidson (1900-1993), of The Manor House, Upham, Hampshire, by his wife the former Helen E. Murray; and married in 1973, Mary Pamela Sebag-Montefiore (born 5 May, 1951), scion of that landed gentry family, daughter of Denzil Charles Sebag-Montefiore (1914-1996), and his wife the former Ruth Emily Magnus (who died 2015), by whom he had issue, a son, Denzil (born 1975), and two daughters, Susanna (Zanna) (born 1978), and Felicity (born 1982).

-=-

Peter Robert Nutting, JP, DL 1935-2024

 Peter Robert Nutting, JP, DL, who died 18 November, 2024, aged 89, was a scion of the Nutting baronets.

He was commissioned into the Irish Guards, and later served as chairman of Edward & John Burke between 1965 and 1968. He was chairman of IGI Insurance Company, Hampden Agencies, Telecom Plus and Directory. He was a JP for inner London  and was member of the Council of Lloyds. Nutting was High Sheriff of Surrey in 1999, and was a deputy lieutenant of the county. 

He was born 22 October, 1935, son of Capt Arthur Ronald Stansmore Nutting (1888-1964), and his wife the former Patricia Eizabeth Jameson (1905-2006), and was a grandson of Sir John Gardiner Nutting, 1st Baronet (1852-1918); and married 31 March, 1965, Cecilia Hester Marie-Louise Russell (born 22 October, 1942), scion of the Barons Ampthill (descended from the Dukes of Bedford), by daughter of Maj. Cosmo Rex Ivor Russell (1911-2003), and his wife the former Agnes Mary Parsons (1918-2003), scion of the Earls of Rosse, by whom he had issue, two sons William (born 19 June, 1968), and Rupert (born 20 Oct, 1971), and a daughter, Amanda (born 25 May, 1966).

-=-

Elizabeth Frances Husted (nee Hanbury-Williams) 1929-2024

 Elizabeth Frances Husted, who died in Washington DC, 7 November, 2024, aged 94, was a scion of the Hanbury-Williams landed gentry family.

She was born 6 December, 1929, a daughter of Sir John Colbrook Hanbury-Williams, CVO (1892-1965), and his wife  Zenaida "Ida" Cantacuzene (1908-80), a daughter of Prince Michael Cantacuzene, Count Speransky (1875-1955) and Julia Dent (Grant) Cantacuzene (1876-1975), herself a granddaughter of Gen. Ulysses S, Grant (1822-85), 18th President of the United States, 1869-77.

Her father was appointed a Gentleman Usher to King George V in 1931, and served as Gentleman Usher to King Edward VIII in 1936. Between 1936 and 1965 Hanbury-Williams held the office of Lieutenant of the City of London. He was Gentleman Usher to King George VI between 1937 and 1946, and was Extra Gentleman Usher to the King between 1946 and 1952. He was invested as a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order in the 1956 New Year Honours.

She married firstly, at St James's, Spanish Place, London, 24 July, 1951 (div. 1968), Brian Patrick Morgan Keeling (1927-1990), son of Sir John Henry Keeling (1895-1978), of Sedlescombe, Sussex, and his wife the former Dorothy May Finucane; and married 2ndly, in London, 6 June, 1972, John Grinnell Wetmore Husted, Jr (1926-1999), son of John Grinnell Wetmore Husted (1897-1965), of Bedford, Westchester County, New York, and his wife the former Helen Armstrong (1901-1964). 

From her first marriage she had issue, a son, Patrick Keeling (born 31 May, 1956), and a daughter, Sarah Elizabeth (born 6 July, 1954, who died in August, 2024, aged 70), wife of Henry Greville Cator (born 26 March, 1956), scion of that landed gentry family.

-=-

John Willoughby Feltrim Fagan 1936-2024

John Willoughby Feltrim Fagan died 11 November, 2024, aged 88.

He was born 19 February, 1936, the second son of Richard Feltrim Fagan (1891-1977), scion of that Irish landed gentry family, and his wife the former Evelyn Frances Joyce Beauchamp (1903-89), scion of the Beauchamp-Proctor baronets. He married in 1983, Susan Ann Hume (born 1946), daughter of Colonel John Lawrence Hume, OBE (1908-1973), and his wife the former Dorothy Ethel Hindle (1913-2003), by whom he had issue, twins, a son, Edward (born 5 July, 1986), and a daughter, Alexandra.

Sir William Beauchamp-Proctor, 1st Baronet (1722-73) > William Henry Beauchamp-Proctor (1769-1 806) > Rev Henry Beauchamp (1793-1863) > Willoughby Beauchamp (1828-1874) > Willoughby George Beauchamp (1864-1922) > Evelyn Beauchamp (1903-1989) > John Fagan (1936-2024)

-=-

The Countess of Elgin and Kincardine 1939-2024

 The Countess of Elgin and Kincardine, who died 15 November, 2024, was the wife of the centenarian 11th Earl of Elgin & (15th) of Kincardine, KT, of Broomhall, Dunfermline, Fife.

She was the former Victoria Mary Usher, born at Bolton, East Lothian, in 1939, the only daughter of Major Dudley George Usher, MBE, of Larach Bhan, Kilchrennan, co. Argyll, by his wife Antonia Mary Wilkinson (who died 1997), 1st daughter of Major General Sir Percival Spearman Wilkinson KCMG, CB (1865-1953), of Rosebery House, Gorebridge, co. Midlothian, and descended from the Hunter Blair baronets.

She married 27 April, 1959, the then Andrew Douglas Alexander Thomas Bruce, styled Lord Bruce (born 17 February, 1924), son and heir of the 10th Earl of Elgin (14th) Earl of Kincardine, KT, CMG (1881-1968), and his wife the Hon Katherine Elizabeth Cochrane, DBE (died 1989), 3rd daughter of the 1st Baron Cochrane of Cults, DL, JP (1857-1951).

Her husband succeeded his father, 27 November, 1968, as the 11th Earl of Elgin (Scotland, let. pat. 21 Jun 1633), as the 15th Earl of Kincardine (Scotland, let. pat. 26 Dec 1647), the 13th Lord Bruce of Kinloss (Scotland, let. pat. 3 May 1608), 15th Lord Bruce of Torry (Scotland, let. pat. 26 Dec 1647), 4th Baron Elgin, of Elgin (United Kingdom, let. pat. 13 Nov 1849), and 37th Chief of the Name and Arms of Bruce.

Lord Elgin served as Grand Master Mason of Scotland 1960-65; Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland 1980-81; Knight of the Thistle 1981; Lord Lieutenant of Fife 1987-99; Order of Merit (Norway) 1994, &c.

The Countess leaves issue, three sons, Charles, styled Lord Bruce (born 19 Oct, 1961), the Hon Adam Bruce (born 18 January, 1968), and the Hon Alexander Bruce (born 31 March, 1971), and two daughters, Lady Georgiana (born 4 June, 1960), and Lady Antonia (born 30 August, 1964).

-=-

Andrew Henry Gordon Clark 1934-2024

 Andrew Henry Gordon Clark, who died 9 November, 2024, aged 90, was a scion of that landed gentry family; born in 1934, son of John Stanley Gordon Clark (1903-1985), and his wife the former Winifred Anne Slessor (1905-1982); &  married 1978, Diana M. Thring (born 1936), daughter of Jack Reddie Thring (1900-1975), scion of that landed gentry family, & his wife the former Eirene Helen Streatfield (1906-1983). No issue.

-=-

Sir John Anson, KCB 1930-2024

Sir John Anson, KCB, who died 11 November, 2024, aged 94, was a scion of the Anson baronets.

He was Second Permanent Secretary (Public Expenditure) HM Treasury, 1987-1990; he served in the Treasury 1954-1968; was Financial Counsellor, British Embassy Paris, 1968-71; Assistant Secretary 1971-72, Under-Secretary 1972-74, Cabinet Office; Under Secretary 1974-77, Deputy Secretary 1977-87, HM Treasury; Economic Minister, British Embassy Washington, and UK Executive Director, IMF and World Bank, 1980-83; Chairman, Public Finance Foundation, 1991-1994; Chairman Retirement Income Inquiry 1994-96; Hon Treasurer, Council of Churches for Britain and Ireland 1990-92; Chair, House of Laity, Southwark Diocesan Synod, 1996-97, &c.

He was born 3 Aug, 1930, younger son of Sir Edward Reynell Anson, 6th Baronet (1902-1951), and his wife the former Frances Alison Pollock (1903-1997)' and married 20 July, 1957, Myrica Anne Fergie-Woods (born 1933), daughter of Dr Harold Fergie-Woods, of Liphook, Hampshire, by whom he had two sons, Dr Christopher Anson (born 22 May, 1958), and Timothy John Anson (1967-1999), and two daughters, Rachel Mary (born 6 Dec, 1961), and Elizabeth Margaret (born 2 Nov, 1968).

His elder brother was Rear-Admiral Sir Peter Anson, 7th Baronet (1924-2018), and was the uncle of Sir Philip Anson, 8th Baronet (born 4 Oct, 1957).

-=-

Baroness Gustafsson

 The life peerage recently conferred upon Poppy Clare Veronica Gustafsson, OBE, Minister of State (Minister for Investment) jointly in the Department for Business and Trade and HM Treasury, has been gazetted in the name, style and title of Baroness Gustafsson, of Chesterton in the City of Cambridge, 15 November, 2024.

Baroness Gustafsson (nee Prentis), was born 24 August, 1982.

-=-

Susan Lilias Mackay-Lewis (née Turcan) 1944-2014

 Susan Lilias Mackay-Lewis (née Turcan), died 9 November, 2024, aged 80.

She was born in May, 1944, a daughter of Henry Turcan, of Newburgh, Fife, and married firstly, 1971 (div) (Christopher) Samuel Inglefield (1936-2024), scion of that landed gentry family, son of Sir Gilbert Inglefield, GBE, TD (1909-1991), sometime Lord Mayor of London, by his wife the former Laura Barbara Frances Thompson (1908-2004), scion of the Thompson baronets; and married 2ndly, 1998, as his second wife, Sir Geoffrey David Inkin, GBE, DL (1934-2013), son of Noel Inkin, and his wife Evelyn Margaret; and married 3rdly, Jonathan Mackay-Lewis.

She leaves four children, two sons, Edward (born 1973), and Frederick (born 1982), and two daughters, Olivia (born 1972), and Katherine (born 1977).

-=-

Jennifer Margaret Anne Segar (née Truscott) 1932-2024

  Jennifer Margaret Anne Segar (née Truscott), who died 26 October, 2024, aged 92, was a scion of the Truscott baronets; born 22 July, 1932, daughter of Sir Eric Homewood Stanham Truscott, 2nd Baronet (1898-1973), and his wife the former Mary Dorcas Irving (1897-1948); and married 26 July, 1958, Lieutenant-Commander (Edward) Martyn Theodore Segar, RN (1929-2016), son of Major Edward Segar (1885-1951), and his wife the former Clarissa Mary White-Cooper (1896-1966), by whom she had a son, John Edward Segar (born 27 Oct, 1965), and two daughters, Jane Margaret (born 14 Aug, 1959), and Anne Mary (born 18 Sept, 1962).

-=-

Hon Michael Spring Rice 1935-2024

 The Hon Michael Spring Rice, who died 11 November, 2924, aged 89, was a scion of the Barons Monteagle of Brandon, and was heir presumptive to his nephew, the 7th Baron.

He was born 18 February, 1935, the second son of the 5th Baron Monteagle of Brandon (1887-1946), and his first wife the former Emilie Frances de Kosenko (1899-1981); and married 28 Aug, 1959, Fiona Sprot, daughter of James Edward Kenneth Sprot, of Natal, South Africa, by whom he had issue, a son, Jonathan Spring Rice (born 30 Oct, 1964), and a daughter, Kerry (born 30 March, 1962).

-=-

Adene Leona Agnew (died 2024)

 Adene Leona Agnew, who died 11 November, 2024, aged 99, was the widow of Stephen William Agnew (1921-2001), scion of the Agnew baronets.

She was the former Adene Leona Brady, daughter of John Vincent Brady, and married 1stly, 12 September, 1951 (div), John Butler Cookson (1924-2003), son of Kenneth Cookson, OBE (died 6 March, 1963), and his wife the former Vivienne Tilla Butler, scion of the Butler baronets; and married 2ndly, Aug, 1967, Stephen William Agnew (born 31 July, 1921), third son of Sir John Stuart Agnew, 3rd Baronet (1879-1957), and his wife the former Kathleen White (died 5 May, 1971). Her second husband died 1 Dec, 2001.

Adene Agnew leaves a son and a daughter from her first marriage, Christopher Cookson (born 1954), and Elizabeth Julia Cookson (born 1953), who married in 1975, (Thomas) Julian Barclay (born 1950), scion of that landed gentry family, of Higham.

-=-

Colonel Euan Henry Houstoun, OBE 1946-2024

 Colonel Euan Henry Houstoun, OBE, died 10 November, 2024, aged 78. He was descended from the Moore-Gwyn landed gentry family.

Born in Newcastle-upon-Tyne in January 1946 and the son of an industrialist, Lindsay Arthur Houstoun (1920-85), and his wife the former Pamela Aileen Madeleine Moore-Gwyn (1922-2003), Euan was educated at Bradfield College. He went on to Mons and was then commissioned into the Grenadier Guards, joining the 1st Battalion in BAOR in 1964. As a Grenadier he served in both battalions in Cyprus, Germany, London, Northern Ireland and in Sharjah, at the Guards Depot, for 3 years at Fort Carson in the USA and also with 22 SAS. He commanded G Squadron during the Falklands War.

He commanded the 1st Battalion in Munster for 2 busy years from April 1988, shortly after the introduction of the new Warrior AFV, and this was followed by command of the Battlegroup Trainer (North) in Catterick. Upon selection for promotion to Colonel he was initially Commandant of the Combined Arms Training Centre and later the Defence Attache in Tel Aviv. He retired from the Army in February 2001 and he was President of the Association for a decade.

-=-

The Baroness Millett (died 2024)

 The Baroness Millett, who died 11 November, 2024, aged 85, was the widow of the Baron Millett, PC (1932-2021), a barrister and judge and a Lord of Appeal in Ordinary.

She was the former Ann Mireille Harris, and married in 1959, the then Peter Julian Millett (born 23 June, 1932), a barrister, who in 1986, became a judge of the High Court of Justice and was knighted. He was appointed a Lord Justice of Appeal and a member of the Privy Council in 1994. On 1 October 1998, he was appointed a Lord of Appeal in Ordinary, receiving additionally a life peerage with the title Baron Millett, of St Marylebone in the City of Westminster. He retired as a Lord of Appeal in Ordinary in January 2004, and died 27 May, 2021.

Lady Millett leaves two sons, Richard and Andrew.

-=-

Pandora Lucia Finley (born 2024)

 Rosie Finley [nee Everard], wife of Thomas Geoffrey [Tom] Finley [born 1989], gave birth to a daughter, Pandora Lucia (Panda), 5 November, 2024, a sister for Algernon Kit [Algy], who was born 7 February, 2022.

Rosie is a daughter of Mr & Mrs Mark Everard, of Little Sampford, Co Essex. 

Tom Finley is the son of Antony Richard Finley [born 1958], of Fulham, London, by his wife the former Amanda Virginia Watson [born 19 December, 1956], scion of the Barons Manton.

-=-

Wilson/De Winton engagement

 The engagement was announced 14 November, 2924, between Henry D.O. Wilson, son of Richard and Julia Wilson, of Ampus, France, and Anna Lucy R. De Winton (born 1995), scion of that landed gentry family, daughter of William Michael Jeffreys De Winton (born 1964), of Fittleworth, West Sussex, and his wife the former Alexandra S.A. Fearn (born 1963).

-=-

David Petroc Lycett Green 1975-2024

 David Lycett Green, who died 11 November, 2024, aged 49, was a scion of the Green baronets, and a grandson maternally of the poet Sir John Betjeman.

David Petroc Lycett Green, was born 20 September, 1975, the elder son of Rupert William Lycett Green (born 24 October, 1938), and his wife the author Candida Rose Lycett Green (1942-2014).

Whereas his mother, Candida, co-authored a book with the King about the royal garden at Highgrove, Dave – as Lycett Green was known – opted for a less conventional path, summarised by his younger brother John in an online tribute as 'friend of the homeless, proud tramp, kind, generous, brave, courageous, humble, honest'. Dave followed his father, Rupert Lycett Green, to Eton. But unlike Rupert, who invigorated men's fashion with his 1960s shop Blades, Dave favoured 'white gloves shell suit, fresh Nike' (below), sometimes supplementing the effect with a top hat and a cane. A book, In Search Of The English Eccentric by Henry Hemming, recorded his fixation with magic and freemasonry – and his playful self-description as 'the Lord of Kensington'.

Dave Lycett Green was unmarried.

-=-

The Baroness Christopher 1919-2024

Baroness Christopher, who died 11 October, 2024, aged 105, was the wife of the life peer the Baron Christopher, CBE (born 25 April, 1925).

The former Adela Joy Thompson was born in 1919, daughter of Wilfred Thompson, by his wife the former Alice Lees Fletcher; and married in 1953, the then Anthony Martin Grosvenor Christopher, son of George Russell Christopher & his wife the former Helen Kathleen Milford Rowley. Her husband is a British businessman, trade unionist, tax official, and life peer. He is the last living British parliamentarian to have served in the Second World War.

Tony Christopher was appointed CBE in 1984, and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts in 1989. He was raised to the peerage for life in 1998 as Baron Christopher, of Leckhampton in the County of Gloucestershire, taking the Labour whip. Following the death of Lord Carrington in July 2018, Christopher became the oldest sitting member of the House of Lords. In March 2021, he took a leave of absence from the House of Lords.

-=- 

Frederick Charles Craufurd Boyd-Bowman (born 2024)

Annabel Honor Hardwick Boyd-Bowman (nee Matterson, born 1989), wife of Thomas Boyd-Bowman, and descended from the Child baronets, gave birth to a son, Frederick Charles Craufurd, 14 October, 2024, a brother for Honor Ada Hardwick, who was born 13 December, 2022.

Thomas is a son of Mr & Mrs Robert Boyd-Bowman, of Hanoi, Vietnam.

 Annabel is a daughter of Charles John Hardwick Matterson [born 26 December, 1960], of Polstead, Suffolk, and his wife the former Elizabeth Caroline McGregor Moffatt [born 1962].

Sir Coles John Child, 2nd Baronet [1906-71] > Honor Diana Child [b 1936-  ] > Charles Matterson [b 1960] > Annabel Matterson [b 1989] > Frederick Boyd-Bowman (born 2024)

-=-

Peter Robert McFerran 1944-2024

 Peter Robert McFerran, died 27 October, 2024, aged 80. 

The son of Ian McFerran, of Karen, Kenya, and married 30 April, 1971 (div. 1986), Anna Bridget Eileen Tweedie (born 18 December, 1942), a descendant of the Dukes of Buccleuch & Queensberry, daughter of Major Hugo Douglas Tweedie (1910-45), and his wife the former Moyra Eileen Montagu Douglas Scott (1919-2011); and married 2ndly, 5 Nov, 1998, Sally-Rose Alice Hodgins, daughter of the Rev Eric Hodgins. From his first marriage he leaves a son, Hugo (born 1975), and a daughter, Lucinda (born 1972).

-=-

Finn Stuart David Pickthall (born 2024)

 Catriona Sarah Elizabeth Pickthall (born 1985, nee Simpson), wife of Alexander Ryland Pickthall (born 1985), gave birth to a son Finn Stuart David, 3 November, 2024, a brother for Hamish Robert Marmaduke (born 10 March, 2023).

The infant is descended from the Durie of Durie landed gentry family:-

Rosamond Dewar-Durie > Susan Elizabeth Scott > Helena Steedman > Catriona Simpson > Finn Pickthall

-=-

Alexander Hugh Fellowes (born 2024)

 Rachel M.M. Fellowes [nee Arkle], wife of Robert Gavin Fellowes [born 1982], scion of the Fellowes landed family, of Shotesham Park, gave birth to a son, Alexander Hugh, 13 October, 2024, a brother for Olivia Rose, who was born 24 March, 2020.

Robert Fellowes is a son of William Robert Fellowes [born 1953], by his wife the former Sharon Y. Dickerson.

Rachel Fellowes is a daughter of Mr & Mrs Richard Arkle.

-=-

van 't Hoff/Martyn-Hemphill engagement

The engagement was announced 9 November, 2024, between Patrick van 't Hoff, son of Mr Jean-Philippe van 't Hoff, of The Hague, Netherlands, and the Hon Marina Olivia Astrid Martyn-Hemphill (born 22 October, 1992), third daughter of the 6th Baron Hemphill (born 8 October, 1954), of London, and his wife the former Sarah Jane Frances Lumley (born 1956).

-=-

Stephenson/Marking engagement

 The engagement was announced 9 November, 2024, between Tarquin Foster Lyon Stephenson (born 14 October, 1996), scion of the Stephenson baronets, second son of George Lyon Stephenson (born 23 Apr, 1962), of Salisbury, Wiltshire, and his wife the former Lucilla C. Clay (born 1964), scion of that landed gentry family, &  Flora Alice Marking (born 22 August, 1997), daughter of Justin Marking (born 1958), of Tisbury, Wiltshire, and his wife the former Caroline J. Jones.

Sir Henry Stephenson, 1st Baronet > Charles Stephenson > Charles Lyon Stephenson > George Lyon Stephenson > Tarquin Stephenson

-=-

Kit Serena Jane Balmford (born 2024)

 Arabella Jasmine Balmford (born 23 July, 1994, nee Bradley), wife of Guy William Crosley Balmford [born 7 September, 1993], gave birth to a daughter, Kit Serena Jane, 31 October, 2024.

Arabella is a daughter of David Wilson Bradley, of Haddington, East Lothian, and his wife the former Hon Melissa Clare Remnant [born 20 May, 1963], daughter of the 3rd Baron Remnant [born 23 Oct, 1930].

Guy Balmford is the elder son of Mr Simon Balmford, of Little Waltham, Essex, by his wife the former Joanne Bearman.

-=-

Margot Hannah Riki Heppel (born 2024)

Ruth M.B. Heppel (née Angus), wife of George Rupert Fitzroy Heppel (born 28 July, 1992), gave birth to a daughter, Margot Hannah Riki, 29 October, 2024.

George Heppel is a son of Toby R.W. Heppel and his wife the former Amanda Jane Ridgway (born 7 Nov, 1956), descended from the Samuelson baronets, the Barons Suffield and Dukes of Grafton.

The 7th Duke of Grafton (1821-1918) > Lady Eleanor FitzRoy (d 1905) > Sybil Harbord (1876-1961) > Rupert Samuelson (1899-1993) > Doriel Samuelson (b 1931) > Amanda Ridgway (b 1956) > George Heppel (b 1992) > Margot Heppel (b 2024)

-=-

Marla Robina Aore Talbot-Ponsonby (born 2024)

 Agnes Jane Talbot-Ponsonby (née Morrell, born 1989), wife of James Nigel Edward Talbot-Ponsonby (born 1986), scion of the Talbot Earls of Shrewsbury, gave birth to a daughter, Marla Robina Aore, 23 October, 2024, a sister for Rocco James Elgin, who was born 1 November, 2022.

Agnes, a scion of the Morrell landed gentry family, is a daughter of David J.G. Morrell (born 1959), and his wife the former Sarah L.M. Wookey.

James Talbot-Ponsonby is a son of Nigel Edward Charles Talbot-Ponsonby (born 24 September, 1946), and his wife the former Robina Helen Bruce (born 27 May, 1952), scion of the Earls of Elgin & Kincardine.

-=-

Jancis Primrose Hayes-Newington 1935-2024

 Jancis Primrose Hayes-Newington, who died 30 October, 2024, aged 89, was a descendant of the Dukes of Grafton.

She was born Jancis Primrose Evatt, 7 August, 1935, the second daughter of Lieutenant-Colonel John Henry Beckwith Evatt (1904-1942), and his wife the former Barbara Wilson (1910-1997); and married 23 October, 1965, Maj Anthony Lyle Hayes-Newington, OBE (1929-2017), of Breamore, Hampshire, son of Lieutenant-Colonel Bertram Yorke Hayes-Newington, DL, by whom she had four sons, Edward, Oliver, Mark & Adam.

The 7th Duke of Grafton, KG > Rev Lord Charles FitzRoy > Lady Violet FitzRoy > Barbara Wilson > Jancis Evatt (who d 2024)

-=-

Coaker/Brown engagement

 The engagement was announced 8 November, 2024, between Thomas James Curzon Coaker (born 12 February, 1987), second son of Charles Henry Curzon Coaker, of Little Everdon, Northamptonshire, and his wife the former Caroline Philippa Floyd (born 18 July, 1953), & Olivia L. Brown, daughter of Mr & Mrs Simon Brown, of Iping, West Sussex.

Thomas Coaker is descended from the Floyd baronets:-

Sie Henry Floyd, 2nd Baronet > Lt-Col Arthur Floyd > John Anthony Floyd > Caroline Floyd > Thomas Coaker

Sir John William Frederic Nott KCB, PC 1932-2024

Sir John William Frederic Nott, KCB, PC, who died 6 November, 2024, aged 92, was a National Liberal and Conservative politician who served as Secretary of State for Defence from 1981 to 1983, during the Falklands War.

He was born 1 February, 1932, to Richard Nott and his wife the former Phyllis Francis, and was educated at Bradfield College and in 1952 was commissioned as a regular officer in the 2nd Gurkha Rifles. He served in the Malayan Emergency after a period of service with the Royal Scots. In 1956 he left the army to study law and economics at Trinity College, Cambridge, where he was President of the Cambridge Union Society. He was called to the bar at the Inner Temple in 1959.

In 1966 Nott was elected as a National Liberal and Conservative MP for the Cornwall constituency of St Ives, the last person elected under the National Liberal label. The party was formally absorbed into the Conservatives in 1968, after which Nott sat as a Conservative MP. He was the last surviving former National Liberal MP. Nott served in the government of Edward Heath as Minister of State at the Treasury. After a brief spell working as a City of London consultant and focusing on managing his Cornish estate, where he grew flowers commercially, he joined the Shadow Cabinet in 1976. He was made Secretary of State for Trade after Margaret Thatcher won the 1979 general election and became a Privy Councillor. In the January 1981 reshuffle Nott became Secretary of State for Defence.  Nott offered his resignation to Thatcher following the Argentinian invasion of the Falklands in 1982. Unlike the Foreign Secretary, Lord Carrington, however, his resignation was not accepted. Nott remained as Defence Secretary throughout the four-month conflict. He was eventually replaced in January 1983 by Michael Heseltine after he decided not to seek re-election at the 1983 general election. On retirement he was appointed a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath.

From 1985 to 1989 Nott was chairman and chief executive of Lazard Brothers. He also served as chairman of Hillsdown Holdings, a multinational food company, and of the Canadian firm Maple Leaf Foods, and was deputy chairman of Royal Insurance. In addition, he was an adviser to APAX Partners and Freshfields.

Nott married in 1959, Miloska Sekol (born 1935), whom he met at the University of Cambridge. They had two sons (including the film composer Julian Nott) and a daughter, (Alexandra)Sasha Nott, who married in 1996, the life peer, Hugo Swire, Baron Swire, KCMG, PC (born 30 Nov, 1959), who was Tory MP for East Devon, 2001-2019.

Nott spent much of his retirement restoring his 200-acre farm in Cornwall. 

-=-

O'Leary/Puxley engagement

 The engagement was announced 7 November, 2024, between Jake T. O'Leary, son of Mr Sean O'Leary, of Tidmarsh, Berkshire, and Ms Janet Waterston, of Lower Shiplake, Oxfordshire, and Felicia Margaret L. Puxley (born circa Jan 1996), daughter of James Henry Lavallin Puxley, CVO (born 1948), head of that landed gentry family, a High Sheriff of Berkshire, and sometime Lord Lieutenant of the county, of the Welford Park estate, Berkshire, by his wife the former Deborah Anne Ferguson.

-=-

Matilda Bertie (born 2024)

Jemma Louise Bertie, wife of the Hon Willoughby Henry Constantine St Maur Bertie (born 15 January, 1996), scion of the Earls of Lindsey & Abingdon, gave birth to a daughter, Matilda, 21 October, 2024, at St Bernard's Hospital, Gibraltar.

Willoughby is the elder son and heir of the Hon Henry Mark Willoughby Bertie, styled Lord Norreys (born 6 Jun 1958), and his wife the former Lucinda Sol Moorsom, 2nd daughter of Christopher Stewart Moorsom, by his 1st wife Maria del Pilar Sanchez y Betancourt. Willoughby'a father is the elder son and heir of the Earl of Lindsey & Abingdon (born 28 June, 1931).

-=-

Sir Henry Neville Lindley Keswick 1938-2024

Sir Henry Keswick, head of Jardine Matheson and owner of The Spectator during a golden era, died 5 November, 2024. He was 86.

Keswick was a youthful taipan of Jardine Matheson, his family’s Far Eastern trading house, and later, for four decades, its presiding spirit from London. He was also a benevolent proprietor of The Spectator magazine, though the political career that he hoped might follow did not transpire.

He joined Jardines in 1961 and was assigned to the firm's offices in Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia. He was made a director in 1967, senior managing director in 1970 and chairman in 1972. He retired as senior managing director and chairman in 1975. He returned to London and is the current chairman of Jardine Matheson Holdings.

Henry Neville Lindley Keswick, William Jardine's great-grandson, was born in Shanghai, 29 September, 1938. He was the eldest of three sons of Sir William “Tony” Keswick (1903-90), who combined his role as a resident director of Jardines with the chairmanship of the Municipal Council of Shanghai’s International Settlement, and was later a director of the Bank of England. Henry's mother was Mary Etheldreda Lindley (1911-2009), a great-granddaughter of Simon Fraser, 13th Lord Lovat (1828-87).

Henry had a sister, Teresa, and two brothers, Sir John Chippendale "Chips" Keswick (1940-2024), who was not associated with Jardine Matheson but instead with the London merchant bank, Hambros. He was the chairman of  Arsenal football club, who died in April, and a brother Simon (born 1942), also a managing director of Jardine Matheson.

It was his cousin Hon. Annabel Thérèse (Tessa) Fraser (1942-2022) – then married to the 14th Lord Reay (1937-2013), but who became Henry Keswick’s wife in 1985 – who first suggested that he should buy The Spectator. He called on the magazine’s then owner, Harry Creighton, and agreed to buy it for £75,000.

Henry Keswick’s country home was Oare House, a Georgian mansion near Marlborough in Wiltshire, where he and his wife commissioned a contemporary pavilion by the Chinese-American architect IM Pei. In the Keswick homeland of Dumfriesshire, Henry enjoyed the sporting life at Glenkiln, a wild domain inherited from his father with its collection of sculptures by Moore and Epstein in moorland settings; Henry Moore’s Standing Figure, valued at £3 million, was stolen from the estate in 2015.

He also owned and greatly improved an 18,000-acre grouse moor at Hunthill in Angus. For recreation in London, Keswick was a keen bridge player at the Portland Club.

He was appointed Knight Bachelor in 2009.

-=-

Piers David Christopher Eley 1941-2024

 Piers David Christopher Eley, who died 18 October, 2024, aged 83, was a scion of that landed gentry family.

He was born 20 May, 1941, the elder son of Sir Geoffrey Cecil Ryves Eley, CBE (1904-1990), businessman and sometime director of the Bank of England, by his wife the former Penelope Hughes Wake-Walker (1917-2003); and married 1 April, 1967, Sarah Cloudesley Long-Price (born 1943), daughter of Lieutenant-Colonel David Edward Long-Price (1914-1992), and his wife the former Barbara Mary Tuffs (1912-1979), by whom he had issue, a son, Damian (born 24 Jan, 1970), and a daughter, Thalia (born 9 Sept, 1971).

-=-

Chloë Blackburn (died 2024)

 Chloë Blackburn, who has died aged 93, was the first wife of Sir Crispin Tickell, GCMG, KCVO, the environmentalist and diplomat. She was a talented sculptress.

Sir Crispin was a great-great grandson of Thomas Henry Huxley, the biologist and anthropologist, scion of that landed gentry family.

 She was born Chloë Gunn, daughter of the portrait painter Sir James Gunn, RA (1893-1964), and his first wife the former Gwendoline Thorne; and married 1954 (div 1976), as his first wife, Crispin Charles Cervantes Tickell (who was born 25 August, 1930), son of Jerrard Tickell and his wife the former Renee Haynes. Her husband served in the Coldstream Guards 1952-54; HM Diplomatic Servive, 1954; Foreign Office 1954-55; The Hague 1955-58; Mexico 1958-61; Foreign Office (Planning Staff) 1961-64; Paris 1964-70; Private secretary to successive ministers responsible for Britain's entry into the European Community 1970-72; Foreign and Commonwealth Office 1972-75; Fellow, Center for International Affairs, Harvard University 1975-76; Chef de Cabinet to the Commissioner of the European Community, 1977-81; Visiting Fellow, All Souls College Oxford 1981; Ambassador to Mexico 1981-83; Deputy Under Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, 1983-84; Perm Secretary, ODA, 1984-87; British Perm Rep to the United Nations, 1987-90; Warden, Green College, Oxford, 1990-97, appointed Chancellor of University of Kent, 1996 &c. He was appointed MVO [1958], KCVO [1983], and GCMG [1989]. He died 25 January, 2022. He was 91.

Chloë Tickell married secondly, in 1985, Bill Blackburn (died 2002), a lawyer. She leaves three children, Oliver, Oriana and James Tickell.

-=-

Victoria, Baroness Oaksey 1938-2024

Victoria, Baroness Oaksey, who died 19 October, 2024, aged 86, was the first wife of John Geoffrey Tristram Lawrence, 4th Baron Trevethin (Peerage of the UK, cr 1921) & 2nd Baron Oaksey (Peerage of the UK, cr 1947).

Her husband, 'John Oaksey', was the jockey, journalist, broadcaster and author was founded of the Injured Jockeys Fund.

She was the former Victoria Mary Dennistoun, born 1938, daughter of Major John Dennistoun, by his wife the former Nancy Mary Court (1909-90); and married 21 May, 1959 (div 1987), the then Hon John Lawrence (born 21 March, 1929), son of Geoffrey Lawrence, judge, Lord of Appeal in Ordinary, who was created the 1st Baron Oaksey in 1947 and who succeeded as 3rd Baron Trevethin on the death of his elder brother in 1959, and his wife the former Marjorie Frances Alice Robinson (who died 1984). Her husband succeeded his father in the baronies, 28 Aug, 1971, and died 5 September, 2012.

Lady Oaksey leaves a son, the present baron (born 29 June, 1960), and a daughter, Sara (born 26 July, 1961).

-=-

The Baron Renwick of Clifton, KCMG 1937-2024

 The Baron Renwick of Clifton, KCMG, who died 4 November, 2024, aged 86, was a diplomat, sometime ambassador to Washington and to South Africa.

He served in Dakar, Senegal, 1963–64; Foreign Office, 1964–66; New Delhi, 1966–70; Private Secretary to Minister of State, Foreign & Commonwealth Office, 1970–72; First Secretary, Paris, 1972–76; Counsellor, Cabinet Office, 1976–78; Head of Rhodesia Department, FCO, 1978–80; Political Adviser to Governor of Rhodesia, 1980; Head of Chancery, Washington, 1981–84; Assistant Under-Secretary of State for European affairs, FCO, 1984–87. Helped to negotiate the 1984 UK rebate, a two-thirds reduction in the British financial contribution to the European Communities; Ambassador to: South Africa, 1987–91; involved in the release of Nelson Mandela; United States, 1991–95.

Robin William Renwick was born 13 December, 1937, son of Richard Renwick, of Edinburgh, and his wife the former Clarice Henderson; and married in 1965, Annie Colette Giudicelli, by whom he had issue.

He was a former diplomat and a former member of the House of Lords. He was originally appointed by Prime Minister Blair as a Labour Peer in 1997 but moved to the crossbenches in 2007. He retired from the House in 2018.

Renwick was appointed CMG in the 1980 New Year Honours and was promoted to KCMG in the 1989 New Year Honours. On his elevation to the Lords he took the title Baron Renwick of Clifton, of Chelsea in the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea. 

-=-

Lord Benyon appointed Lord Chamberlain

 The Lord Parker of Minsmere had an audience of the King, 4 November, 2024, and delivered up his Wand and Insignia of Office as Lord Chamberlain and took leave upon relinquishing his appointment as Lord Chamberlain. Lord Benyon had an audience of the King, kissed hands upon his appointment as Lord Chamberlain and received from His Majesty the Wand and Insignia of Office when the King invested his with the Insignia of a Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order.

-=-

Charles Anthony Fry 1940-2024

 Charles Anthony Fry who died 27 October, 2024, aged 84, was sometime president and chairman of Marylebone Cricket Club, and scion of landed gentry families.

He was born 14 January, 1940, the third son of the cricketer Stephen Hope Fry (1900-1979), and his wife the former Gladys Yvonne Blunt (1905-2001), and was grandson of the great sportsman C.B. Fry (1872-1956), and his wife the former Beatrice Holme-Sumner (1862-1946), of that landed family, descended from the Kingscote landed gentry family, and Lieutenant-General the 1st Baron Bloomfield, GCB, GCH, PC (1768-1846).

Charles Fry, while studying at Oxford, played first-class cricket for Oxford University Cricket Club, making his debut for the club against Yorkshire at Oxford in 1959.

He married Jane Vigors, by whom he had three children, Benjamin, James and Annabelle.

The 1st Baron Bloomfield > Hon Harriott Bloomfield (1806-1901) > Georgina Kingscote (1835-1912) > Beatrice Holme-Sumner (1862-1946) > Stephen Hope Fry (1900-79) > Charles Fry (1940-2024)

-=-

Lindsay/Strunck marriage

 The marriage has taken place between the Hon James Antony Lindsay (born 10 November, 1992), second son of the 30th Earl of Crawford & Balcarres (born 24 November, 1958), of Balcarres, Fife, and the Countess of Crawford & Balcarres (nee Nicola Ann Bicket, born 1960), & Clara Rose C.R. (Coco) Strunck (born 9 April, 1993), youngest daughter of Ronald A.A.M. Strunck (born Nov, 1943), of London, and his wife the former Camilla Mary Elizabeth Romsey Dobson (born Feb, 1958).

The bride is a granddaughter maternally of Sir Denis Dobson, KCB, OBE, QC (1908-1995). She is a freelance writer and journalist. She has experience writing news, features and interviews for magazines and national newspapers, including The Sunday Times Style, Tatler, ES Magazine, The Evening Standard, Glamour, Harper’s Bazaar, The Telegraph and Vogue Scandinavia, among others. She has also worked on refreshing brand editorial for companies such as Cartier and Bicester Village.

-=-

Hamish Angus Peter Ramsay (born 2024)

 Catherine Kidd, wife of Major James Ivor Iain Ramsay [born 1990], The Royal Regiment of Scotland, gave birth to a son, Hamish Angus Peter, 24 October, 2024.

The parents announced their engagement in August, 2021, and planned to marry 21 May, 2022.

Major Ramsay is a son of Major-General Angus Iain Ramsay, CBE, DSO, of Hurstbourne Tarrant, Hampshire, and his wife the former Victoria Clare Lanyon [born 14 Oct, 1956].

Catherine is a daughter of Mr & Mrs David Kidd, of Bosham Hoe, West Sussex.

The infant is descended from the Barons Amherst of Hackney [and via them from the 3rd Marquess of Exeter], and the Barons Cornwallis.

William, 3rd Marquess of Exeter [1825-95] > Lord William Cecil [1854-1943] > Cdr Henry Cecil [1893-1962] >  Rachel Cecil [1924-2010] > Victoria Lanyon [b 1956] > Maj James Ramsay [b 1990] > Hamish Ramsay (b 2024)

Fiennes, 1st Baron Cornwallis [1864-1935] > Hon Yvonne Cornwallis [1896-1983] > Rachel Mary Cecil [1924-2010 - see above]

-=-

William Louis Cowper-Coles (born 2024)

 Georgia Sophie Frances Cowper-Coles (born 1991, nee Rawlinson), wife of Myles Philip Cowper-Coles (born 21 March, 1990), scion of the Coles landed gentry family, gave birth to a son, William Louis, 22 October, 2024.

Georgia is a daughter of John Rawlinson, by his late wife the former Penelope Angela J. Letts (1957-2017). Myles is a son of Sir Sherard Louis Cowper-Coles, KCMG, LVO (born 8 January, 1955), by his first wife the former Bridget Mary Elliott (born 1953).

Sir Sherard is a British former diplomat. He was the Foreign Secretary's Special Representative to Afghanistan and Pakistan in 2009–2010. 

-=-

Simon Anthony Sherbrooke 1947-2024

Simon Anthony Sherbrooke, who died 20 October, 2024, was a scion of the Lords Herries of Terregles.

He was born in 1947, the eldest son of John Penn Sherbrooke (who died in 2001), and his wife the former Madeline Mary Josephine Maxwell-Stuart (1918-2002), a great-granddaughter of the 10th Lord Herries of Terregles (1804-1876); and married in 1977, Miranda McCrea, daughter of Michael McCrea, of Tweedbank, Kelso, by whom he had issue, five children, Archie (born 1980), Rosanna (born 1982), Benedict (born 1984), Luke (born 1986), and Edmund (born 1993, deceased).

-=-

Corfield/Adams engagement

 The engagement was announced 2 November, 2024, between (Richard) Kai C. Corfield, scion of that landed gentry family, son of Richard Conyngham Corfield (born 1955), of Edgeworth, Gloucestershire, and his wife the former Emma Catharine Ramsay Willis, & Isabella Denia Adams (born 1992), daughter of Hugh H.C. Adams, of Hunts Green, Berkshire, and his wife the Hon Annabella Jane Palumbo (born 1961), daughter of the life peer the Baron Palumbo (born 20 July, 1935).

-=-

Rex Anthony Bovill 1948-2024

Rex Anthony Bovill died 28 October, 2024, aged 76.

He was a grandson maternally of Sir John Leigh, 1st Baronet (1884-1959), a mill-owner, who used his fortune to buy a newspaper and launch his career as a Conservative politician. Leigh, whose family resided for generations at Pennington was descended from a cadet branch of the Barons Leigh (of the first creation). Sir John made his fortune in the Lancashire cotton industry. In February 1918, he was created a baronet of Altrincham in Cheshire, and around 1921 he purchased the Pall Mall Gazette. 

Rex Bovill was born 12 February, 1948, the third son of Major William Frederick Bovill, OBE (1905-1982), and his wife the former Marjorie Joan Leigh (1910-1985); and married in 1973, Julia Bell, by whom he had a son, Benjamin (born 1983), and a daughter, Fenella (born 1977).

-=-

The Viscountess Brentford, OBE 1942-2024

 The Viscountess Brentford, OBE, who died 28 October, 2024, aged 81, was wife of the 4th Viscount.

 The peeress was a British evangelical Anglican and activist. She served as the Third Church Estates Commissioner, one of the most senior lay people in the Church of England, from 1999 to 2005. She was also President of the Church Mission Society (CMS) between 1998 and 2007. She served as High Sheriff of East Sussex, 1998-99, and was appointed OBE in 1996.

She was born Gillian Evelyn Schluter, 22 November, 1942, daughter of Gerard Edward Schluter, OBE (1917-1979), of Nairobi, Kenya, and his wife the former Evelyn Rosie Galton-Fenzi (1920-2017), scion of the Galton landed gentry family; and married 21 March, 1964, the then Hon Crispin William Joynson-Hicks (born 7 Apr, 1933), son and heir of the 3rd Viscount Brentford (1902-1983), and his wife the former Phyllis Allfrey (died 1979), scion of that landed gentry family. Her husband succeeeded his father, 25 February, 1983, as fourth viscount (Peerage of the UK, cr 1929), and in the two baronetcies (cr UK 1919, and UK, 1956).

Viscountess Brentford is survived by her husband and a son, the Hon Paul William Joynson-Hicks (born 18 Apr, 1971), and three daughters, Emma, Rowena, and Amy.

-=-

Ewen Alan Macpherson of Attadale (died 2024)

 Ewen Alan Macpherson of Attadale, who died 25 October, 2024, at Lochcarron, was laird of the 32,000-acre Attadale estate in the North West Highlands of Scotland, which stretches from the south shore of Loch Carron to Loch Monar, 15 miles away to the east.

The Attadale estate was historically part of the Clan Matheson lands that extended west to the Kyle peninsula. Most of the estate consists of bare hillside with around 200 acres of flat ground covering the floor of the Attadale glen. Attadale House was built in 1755 by Donald Matheson whose father, John, was the factor for the Seaforth estates in Kintail, Lochalsh and Lochcarron. The love stone above the middle first floor window shows their initials DM and E MK and a heart. The estate was bought in 1952 by Mr Macpherson's father, Ian, whose family had left the island of Skye in the early years of the 19th century. 

Mr Macpherson was predeceased by his wife, the former Nicolette Van der Bijl (who died 17 October, 2018). 

Ewen's branch of the Macpherson clan came from Sleat and Orbost in Skye. Great great grandfather Dr Hugh Macpherson acquired the island of Eigg in the nineteenth century. He was Vice Principal of King’s College, Aberdeen.

Ewen Macpherson's wife Nicolette, always Nicky, was born in South Africa, a van der Bijl, whose family moved to the Cape from near Rotterdam in the mid-seventeenth century and become anglicised when the British defeated the Dutch in 1805. Nicky trained as a painter in London and was greatly influenced by childhood memories of gardens such as Kirstenbosch and Vergelegen at the Cape.

Ewen Macpherson is survived by a son, Nicholas and a daughter Joanna, and predeceased by a daughter Sophie. The daughter Joanna featured in a BBC One documentary 'Lady Lairds' in 2016. Joanna left her marketing job in London to take over the running of Attadale Estate from her father Ewen. 

-=-

Gabrielle Genista Fraser (nee Holt-Wilson) 1933-2024

 Gabriella Genista 'Gay' Fraser, died 19 October, 2024, aged 91.

She was born in 1933, daughter of Brigadier-General Sir Eric Edward Boketon Holt-Wilson, CMG, DSO (1875 – 1950) , the Army officer who left the army to join the nascent British Security Service (MI5), which developed in time to deal with espionage during World War I. He became the Service's deputy to Sir Vernon Kell, serving through to the beginning of World War II. Her mother was the former Audrey Stirling (1910-1994).

Gay Fraser was a great-granddaughter of Edward Greene (1815-1891), a brewer and Conservative MP who founded Greene King brewery, and was father of Sir Edward Greene, 1st Baronet (1842-1920).

Gay married in 1963, Colin G. Fraser, by whom she had issue, a son Andrew, and a daughter, Fiona.

-=-

John Ernest Pretyman 1929-2024

 John Ernest Pretyman, who died 28 October, 2024, aged 95, was a scion of that landed gentry family and a grandson of the 4th Earl of Normanton.

He was born 28 September, 1929, son of Lt-Cdr Herbert Ernest Pretyman, RN (1900-1987), and his wife Lady Mary Karen Agar (1901-1975), daughter of the 4th Earl of Normanton (1865-1933.

His father was a first cousin of the late Princess Alice, Duchess of Gloucester (1901-2004).

John Pretyman was a grandson of the Rt Hon Ernest George Pretyman, MP, PC (1859-1931), who served as Member of Parliament for Woodbridge, Suffolk from 1895 to 1906 and for Chelmsford from 1908 to 1923. He defeated the Liberal MP Robert Lacey Everett in 1895 and lost his seat to Everett in 1906. He was Civil Lord of the Admiralty from 1900 to 1903, Parliamentary and Financial Secretary to the Admiralty from 1903 to 1906, Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade from 1915 to 1916 and Civil Lord of the Admiralty again from 1916 to 1919. He was appointed a Privy Counsellor in 1917.

John's paternal grandmother was Lady Beatrice Bridgeman (1870-1952), daughter of the 4th Earl of Bradford (1845-1915). Lady Beatrice's younger sister, Lady Margaret (1872-1954), was wife of the 7th Duke of Buccleuch & Queensberry (1864-1935), parents of Lady Alice Montagu Douglas Scott, who married King George V's third son.

-=-

David Edward Wyndham Tennant 1930-2024

David Edward Wyndham Tennant, who died 19 October, 2024, aged 94, was a scion of the Barons Glenconner and a son of the actress Hermione Baddeley.

He was born 10 May, 1930, the son of the Hon David Francis Tennant (1902-68), and his first wife the former Hermione Youlanda Ruby Clinton-Baddeley (1906-86). His mother was the great English actress Hermione Baddeley, who was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in Room at the Top (1959) and a Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play for The Milk Train Doesn't Stop Here Anymore in 1963. She portrayed Mrs Cratchit in the 1951 film Scrooge and Ellen the maid in the 1964 Disney film Mary Poppins. She voiced Madame Adelaide Bonfamille in the 1970 Disney animated film, The Aristocats.

David Tennant's aunt was Angela Baddeley, CBE (1904-76),  the stage and television actress, best-remembered for her role as household cook Mrs. Bridges in the period drama Upstairs, Downstairs.

David Tennant was a grandson paternally of the 1st Baron Glenconner (1859-1920).

The Old Etonian was a member of the London Stock Exchange. He married firstly, 3 Dec, 1964 (div 1973), Margaret Rachel Scott (born 23 Nov, 1943), scion of the Earls of Eldon, daughter of the Hon Sir Ernest Stowell Scott, KCMG, MVO (1872-1953), diplomat, by his wife the former Winifred Kathleen Brodrick, by whom he had issue; he married 2ndly, in 2004, as her 3rd husband, Frances Jane Fairey (1937-2017), daughter of Sir Charles Richard Fairey, MBE (1887-1956), the aircraft manufacturer, by his wife the former Esther Sarah Whitmey (1906-78).

David Tennant leaves issue from his first marriage, two sons, Aubone (born 7 May, 1969), and Ivan (born 1970), and a daughter, Laura (born 9 Feb, 1967).

-=-