trenchard

Thursday, April 25, 2024

Virginia Mary Festing (nee Fyffe) 1942-2024

Virginia Mary Festing, who died 17 April, 2024, aged 81, was the wife of Andrew Festing, the portrait painter, and a scion (maternally) of the Moore-Gwyn landed gentry family.

She was born in Gloucestershire in 1942, daughter of Lieutenant-General Sir Richard Alan Fyffe, KBE, CB, DSO, MC (1912-1972), and his wife the former Diana Gwyneth Moore-Gwyn (1912-2002), scion of that landed gentry family, and married in 1968, Capt Andrew Thomas Festing (born 30 November, 1941), of The Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort's Own), the portrait painter and sometime President of the Royal Society of Portrait Painters, third son of Field Marshal Sir Francis Wogan Festing, GCB, KBE, DSO, DL (1902-1976), and his wife the former Mary Cecilia Riddell (1906-1992), scion of the Riddell baronets.

Virginia Festing is survived by her husband, and a daughter, Charlotte Diana (born 1974), wife of the Hon Robert Mungo Hepburne-Scott (born 1974), scion of the Lords Polwarth.

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Lady Studd, wife of Sir Edward Studd, 4th Baronet

 Lady Studd, who died 19 April, 2024, aged 92, was the wife of Sir Edward Studd, 4th Baronet.

She was born 6 April, 1932, as Prudence Janet Fyfe, daughter of Alastair Douglas Fyfe, OBE (1902-1974), and his wife the former Phyllis Mary Ingledew (1900-1979), and married 30 September, 1960, Edward Fairfa Studd (born 3 May, 1929), second son of Sir Eric Studd, 2nd Baronet (1887-1975), and his wife the former Kathleen Stephana Langmead (1895-1976), and was a younger brother of Capt Sir Robert Kynaston Studd, 2nd Baronet (1926-1977). Her husband succeeded his brother in the baronetcy, 27 May, 1977.

Lady Studd leaves issue, two sons Philip and Christopher, and a daughter, Alexandra.

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Zara Nina Nutting 1947-2024

 Zara Nina Nutting, who died 22 April, 2024, at Port Vendres, France, aged 77, was a scion of the Nutting baronets.

She was born 4 February, 1947, the only daughter of the Rt Hon Sir Harold Anthony Nutting, 3rd Baronet, PC (1920-1999), Conservative MP and government minister, by his 1st wife the former Gillian Leonora Strutt (1918-2007), scion of the Barons Rayleigh; and married 20 April, 1966 (div 1970), Martin Guy Stephenson, son of Augustus William Stephenson (1909-2000), descended from the Dukes of Norfolk, and his wife the former Mary Gloria Congreve (1917-1992), scion of the Congreve baronets, by whom she had an only child, a daughter, Katya Stephenson (born 14 January, 1967).

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Wednesday, April 24, 2024

Baron Field of Birkenhead, CH, PC, DL 1942-2024

 The Baron Field of Birkenhead, CH, PC, DL, who died 23 April, 2024, aged 81, was, as Frank Field, a Labour MP who dedicated his career to tackling child poverty.

Frank Ernest Field was born 16 July, 1942, son of Walter and Annie Field. He served as the MP for Birkenhead for 40 years, 1979-2019, as the Labour MP until August, 2018, and thereafter as an independent. . In 2019, he formed the Birkenhead Social Justice Party and stood unsuccessfully as its sole candidate in the 2019 election. After leaving the House of Commons he was awarded a life peerage in 2020 and sat in the House of Lords as a crossbencher. From 1997 to 1998, Field served as the Minister of Welfare Reform in Tony Blair's government. Field resigned following differences with the Prime Minister; as a backbencher he soon became one of the Labour government's most vocal critics. Field was elected Chair of the Work and Pensions Select Committee in June 2015. Following the 2017 general election he was re-elected unopposed. In August 2018, Field resigned the Labour whip citing antisemitism in the party, as well as a "culture of intolerance, nastiness and intimidation" in parts of the party, including in his own constituency. Field lost a confidence vote in his constituency party a month before his resignation, after siding with the government in Brexit votes. His resignation of the whip also led to his departure from the wider membership of the Labour Party, according to the Labour National Executive Committee, although Field disputed this.

Frank Field was sworn of the Privy Council in 1997. He was appointed as a deputy lieutenant for the county of Merseyside in October 2011.  At the age of 75 he was moved to the retired list.

Field was awarded an honorary fellowship by Liverpool John Moores University on 12 July 2016. In 2017, he was awarded the Langton Award for Community Service by the Archbishop of Canterbury "for sustained and outstanding commitment to social welfare". Field was nominated for a life peerage in the 2019 Dissolution Honours, and his peerage was gazetted in the name, style and title of Baron Field of Birkenhead, of Birkenhead in the County of Merseyside, on 11 September 2020.

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Capt Richard Lawrence Garnons-Williams, RN 1925-2024

 Capt Richard Lawrence Garnons-Williams, RN, who died 17 April, 2024, aged 98, was a scion of that landed gentry family, born in 1925, son of Maj Roger Fenton Garnons Garnons-Williams, MBE (1891-1961), and his wife the former Eileen Sandys Thomas (1894-1989), and married in 1950, Anne Elizabeth Elmhirst (1926-1997), scion of that landed gentry family, by whom he had issue two daughters, Elizabeth (born 1951), and Antonia (born 1956).

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Tuesday, April 23, 2024

The King's St George's Day appointments to the Order of the Garter

 His Majesty the King has made some appointments to England's senior order of chivalry, the Order of the Garter.

Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Gloucester, GCVO, DStJ,  77, the Danish-born wife of the King's cousin, the Duke of Gloucester, becomes a Royal Lady of the Order. The former Birgitte van Deurs (born 20 June, 1946) married Prince Richard in 1972, and has been a 'working royal' for over half a century.

Air Chief Marshal the Lord Peach, GBE, KCB, DL (born 22 February, 1956), who becomes a Knight Companion of the Order of the Garter, is a retired senior RAF officer. After training as a navigator, Peach commanded IX (Bomber) Squadron and then became Deputy Station Commander RAF Bruggen. He was deployed as NATO Air Commander (Forward) in Kosovo in 2000. He went on to be Chief of Defence Intelligence in 2006, Chief of Joint Operations in 2009 and the first Commander of Joint Forces Command in December 2011 before being appointed Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff in May 2013. Peach succeeded General Sir Nick Houghton as Chief of the Defence Staff on 14 July 2016. He succeeded General Petr Pavel as Chairman of the NATO Military Committee on 29 June 2018, serving as such until his retirement from NATO in June 2021.

Lord Kakkar, KBE, PC (born 28 April 1964), is a professor of surgery at University College London and life peer. Kakkar is Chair of King's Health Partners, the Academic Health Science Centre, Director of the Thrombosis Research Institute, London, and lectures and publishes widely on his specialism. He has worked with the NHS on its strategy to prevent venous thromboembolism (VTE). He is a Commissioner of the Royal Hospital Chelsea, former chair of the Board of Governors at Alleyn's School, Dulwich, and a Trustee of the Dulwich Estate. Kakkar was created a life peer on 22 March 2010 as Baron Kakkar, of Loxbeare in the County of Devon, and introduced in the House of Lords the same day. He sits on the crossbenches. He was Chairman of the House of Lords Appointments Commission from 2013 to 2018.

Lord Lloyd-Webber, (born 22 March 1948) is a composer and impresario of musical theatre. Several of his musicals have run for more than a decade both in the West End and on Broadway. He has composed 21 musicals, a song cycle, a set of variations, two film scores, and a Latin Requiem Mass. Several of Lloyd Webber's songs have been widely recorded and widely successful outside of their parent musicals, such as "Memory" from Cats, "The Music of the Night" and "All I Ask of You" from The Phantom of the Opera, "I Don't Know How to Love Him" from Jesus Christ Superstar, "Don't Cry for Me Argentina" from Evita, and "Any Dream Will Do" from Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. In 2001, The New York Times referred to him as "the most commercially successful composer in history". The Daily Telegraph named him in 2008 the fifth-most powerful person in British culture, on which occasion lyricist Don Black said that "Andrew more or less single-handedly reinvented the musical."

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The King gives prestigious appointments to family members

The King has granted prestigious new roles to four senior members of the royal family, including his wife, Queen Camilla.

As formally announced by Buckingham Palace on Tuesday, Her Majesty Queen Camilla has been appointed to be Grand Master and First or Principal Dame Grand Cross of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire. Previous Grand Masters have included the late Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh,who held the office from 1953 until his death, the King's great-grandmother – Queen Mary from 1936 to 1953, and King Edward VIII when he was the Prince of Wales from 1917 to 1936.

The King has also granted new honours to the Prince and Princess of Wales. Prince William has been made Great Master of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath. The Most Honourable Order of the Bath was established by King George I in 1725, although it is believed to originally date back as far as the eighth century. It is awarded to members of the military or civil service for exemplary service.  

Previous Grand Masters have included the King when he was Prince of Wales, Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester, Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught and Strathearn, Queen Victoria's husband Prince Albert, and Prince Augustus, Duke of Sussex.

And as a completely new appointment, the Princess of Wales has been appointed Royal Companion of The Order of the Companions of Honour. The Order was founded by King George V in 1917 to recognise outstanding achievements in the Arts, Sciences, Medicine and Public Service. While membership of the order confers no title or precedence, those inducted into the order are entitled to use the post-nominal letters CH. Catherine joins the likes of Lord Coe, Dame Judi Dench and Sir Elton John, all members of the order.

Meanwhile, there's a new royal addition to the Order of the Garter – the Duchess of Gloucester has become a Royal Lady Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, and is likely to make her debut at the ceremony on 17 June.

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Major General Andrew Patrick Withy MacLellan, CB, CVO, MBE 1925-2024

 Major General (Andrew) Patrick (Withy) MacLellan, CB, CVO, MBE, who died 19 April, 2024, aged 98, was Resident Governor and Keeper of the Jewel House, HM Tower of London, 1984-1989.

He was born 29 November, 1925, son of Kenneth MacLellan, and his wife the former Rachel Madeline Withy. He was commissioned into the Coldstream Guards in November 1944 but too late to take part in operations in the Second World War. He served in Palestine immediately after the end of the conflict following the outbreak of violence, conducted by Zionist paramilitary organisations, and was then posted to the School of Infantry to teach counterinsurgency warfare. For the next 15 years he served with the Brigade of Guards in England, Egypt and Germany, before becoming military assistant to Earl Mountbatten of Burma, the Admiral of the Fleet, in 1961, then chief of the defence staff, a demanding post for which he was appointed MBE (Military) in 1964. 

He married in 1954, Kathleen Mary Bagnell (born 1928), the daughter of a hussar officer who had fought in the First World War, by whom he had a son, Ian, and twin daughters Fiona and Diana.

He was appointed MBE in 1964, CB in 1981, and CVO in 1989.

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Oakes/Manners engagement

 The engagement was announced 23 April, 2024, between William Edward J. Oakes (born 1994), younger son of Tim Oakes and Mrs Barbara Johnston of Haslemere, Surrey, & Laura Elizabeth Manners (born 1996), scion of the Barons Manners, younger daughter of Arthur Roger Manners (born 29 July, 1959), of Newbury, Berkshire, and his wife the former (Charlotte) Anna C, Ryland (born 1960).

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Rupert Alfred Chambers (born 2024)

 Fleur Elizabeth Chambers (nee Gibbs, born 1990), wife of Nicholas Timothy G. Chambers [born 1989], gave birth to a son, Rupert Alfred, 5 April, 2024, a brother for Albert George, who was born 23 January, 2023.

Nicholas is the elder son of Robert G. Chambers, of Reed, Hertfordshire, by his wife the former [Christine] Belinda Johnson.

Fleur Chambers is the (adopted?) daughter of Alan Francis Gibbs [born 1953], of Midgham Park, Berkshire, scion of the Barons Aldenham & Hunsdon, by his wife the former Francine Nicola Preston [born 1956].

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Belinda Madeline Mordaunt 1933-2024

 Belinda Madeline Mordaunt (nee Gouldsmith), died 17 April, 2024.

She was born in 1933, daughter of Thomas Cecil Gouldsmith (1903-1989), of Conseysthorpe, Malton, North Yorkshire, and his wife the former Rachel Westmacott (1899-1988); and married in 1959, (Thomas) Christopher John Mordaunt (1934-2017), scion of the Mordaunt baronets, son of Lieutenant Commander Richard John Mordaunt, VRD, RN (1908-1988), and his wife the former Gertrude Anna Katherine Toler  (1904-1986), scion of that landed gentry family, by whom she had issue, two daughters, Sarah Camilla (born 19 Sept, 1961), and Sophie Jane (born 18 Mar, 1967).

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Sir Peter Maudslay Hordern, DL, PC 1929-204

 Sir Peter Maudslay Hordern, DL, PC, who died on his 95th birthday, 18 April, 2024, was a former Conservative MP, a mainstay of the back benches for over 30 years, and a scion of that landed gentry family.

He was born 18 April, 1929,  elder son of Charles Hubert Hordern (1896-1974), and his wife the former Dorothy Donovan, and a grandson of the Rt. Rev. Hugh Maudslay Hordern (1868-1949), sometime Bishop of Lewes.

He was educated at Geelong Grammar School, Australia and Christ Church, Oxford. He served with the 60th Rifles from 1947 to 1949, joining the regiment of his father and great-uncle, Brig. General Gwyn Venables Hordern CB, CMG, JP. He then became a Member of the Stock Exchange.

Hordern served as Tory MP for Horsham from 1964 to 1974, for Horsham and Crawley from 1974 to 1983 and for Horsham once again from 1983 to 1997. He was sworn of the Privy Council 1993. He served as a deputy lieutenant for West Sussex.

Hordern was a member of the Public Accounts Committee from 1970 to 1987, Chairman of the Finance Committee from 1970 to 1972 and Chairman of the Public Accounts Commission from 1988 to 1997. He was appointed to the Executive of the 1922 Committee in 1967, later becoming Secretary of the 1922 Committee and Chairman of the Conservative backbench Committee on Europe.

Sir Peter was appointed a director of Petrofina UK PLC in 1973 and chairman in 1987. He was appointed a director of F&C Smaller Companies Investment Trust, plc in 1978, and as chairman in 1986. He was appointed a director of TR Technology Investment Trust in 1985 (formerly Atlas Electric and General Trust). In 1982 he was appointed a consultant to Fisons PLC and a consultant to House of Fraser PLC and Pannell Kerr Forster in 1984.

He married in 1964, Elizabeth Susan Chataway (born 1938), daughter of Sir James Denys Percival Chataway (1892-1953), and sister of Sir Christopher Chataway (1931-2014), the long-distance runner, Conservative politician and broadcaster.

He is survived by Lady Hordern and a son, James (born 1967), who married Lady Elspeth Mackay, daughter of the 4th Earl of Inchcape, and a daughter, Sara (born 1971). He was predeceased by another son, Andrew (1965-2009).

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Monday, April 22, 2024

Baroness Massey of Darwen 1938-2024

 The Baroness Massey of Darwen, who died 20 April, 2024, aged 85, was a Labour member of the House of Lords, Vice-Chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group Humanist Group (APPHG), until earlier this year, and secretary from 2010-2022.

Doreen Elizabeth Massey was born 5 September, 1938. She was educated at the University of Birmingham (BA, DipEd, vice-pres Student Union, Hockey and Cricket blues), and the University of London (MA). A former teacher and education advisor, she was the director of the Family Planning Association from 1989 to 1994. She was made a life peer as Baroness Massey of Darwen, of Darwen in the County of Lancashire, on 26 July 1999. She was introduced on 1 November 1999 to the House of Lords where she served as a member of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Integrated and Complementary Healthcare. She is an honorary associate of the National Secular Society, patron of Humanists UK, &c. On 15 September 2010, Massey, along with 54 other public figures, signed an open letter published in The Guardian, stating their opposition to Pope Benedict XVI's state visit to the UK.

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Baroness Gardner of Parkes 1927-2024

The Baroness Gardner of Parkes, JP, who died 14 April, 2024, aged 96, was an Australian-born dentist and Conservative member of the British House of Lords. She was the first Australian woman to have been elevated to the peerage, and as of 2023 is the most senior Life peer in the House of Lords. 

She was born Rachel Trixie Anne McGirr, 17 July, 1927. Trixie Gardner was a councillor of Westminster City Council from 1968 to 1978 and was Lady Mayoress (when her husband was Lord Mayor) during 1987–88. In 1970, she stood for Parliament for the Conservative Party against Labour's Barbara Castle in Blackburn, and in February 1974 stood against the Liberal John Pardoe in North Cornwall. In 1971, she was made a Justice of the Peace. In addition, she was elected as a member of the Greater London Council (GLC) representing Havering (1970-1973) and Southgate (1977–1986) until the GLC's abolition. She held various directorships and was the UK Representative on the United Nations Status of Women Commission 1982–1988. 

She was created a life peer, in June 1981, and took the title Baroness Gardner of Parkes, of Southgate in Greater London, and of Parkes in the State of New South Wales and Commonwealth of Australia.

Fir those interested in the detail of armorial bearing, Baroness Gardner's arms: Arms: Per fess Azure and Vert in chief a representation of the constellation of the Southern Cross Argent issuing in base a Sun in Splendour Or all within a Bordure indented Gold; Supporters: Dexter: a Kangaroo Or gorged with a Crown Pallisado Vert grasping in the sinister forepaw a Branch of Tudor Roses slipped and leaved proper; Sinister: a Lion Or gorged with a Crown Pallisado Vert grasping in the dexter forepaw a Branch of Wattle slipped and leaved proper, the whole upon a Compartment comprising a Grassy Mount growing therefrom two Waratah Flowers slipped and leaved proper; Motto: Keep Going.

 She was ennobled for her two decades of community and local government work as a Conservative, the first Australian woman to be so honoured. On 4 April 2007, she was made an Honorary Fellow of the University of Sydney.

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Lara Emma Benyon (born 2024)

 Sarah Benyon [nee Procter], wife of the Hon Harry C.W. Benyon, descended from the Earls of Clarendon, gave birth to a daughter, Lara Emma, 12 April, 2024, a sister for Archie Philip William, who was born 7 April, 2022.

Harry is the eldest son of the life peer the Baron Benyon [born 1960], of Englefield, Berkshire, by his former wife the former Emma Helen Villiers [born 16 Oct, 1963], scion of the Earls of Clarendon.

Sarah Benyon is the younger daughter of Mr & Mrs Philip Procter, of Skelton, York.

Harry Benyon is a grandson paternally of the late Sir William Benyon [1930-2014], a descendant of the Marquesses of Salisbury. His mother, Emma, is now the Baroness Grimthorpe, of Newmarket, Suffolk, second wife of the 5th Baron Grimthorpe [born 10 Nov, 1954]. Lady Grimthorpe is a descendant of the 1st Earl of Clarendon.

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Saturday, April 20, 2024

Julia Helen Rausing (nee Delves Broughton) 1961-2024

 Julia Helen Rausing, who died 18 April, 2024, aged 63, was the wife of the billionaire philanthropist Tetra Pak heir Hans Rausing, and a scion of the Broughton baronets.

She was  born Julia Helen Broughton, 11 February, 1961, the second daughter of Major Sir Evelyn Delves Broughton, 12th Baronet (1915-1993), and his 2nd wife the former Helen Mary Shore; and married at Woburn Abbey, in July, 2014, as his second wife, Hans Kristian Rausing (born 15 June, 1963), son of Hans Anders Rausing, KBE (1926-2019), Swedish industrialist and philanthropist, and his wife Märit.

The Rausings had donated £330million in more than 1,000 grants, including £50million to UK charities annually, through the Julia and Hans Rausing Trust which they co-founded.

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Hon Rollo Hugh Clifford 1954-2024

 The Hon Rollo Hugh Clifford, who died 27 March, 2024, aged 70, was a scion of the Barons Clifford of Chudleigh.

He was born 15 March, 1954, the second son of the 13th Baron Clifford of Chudleigh (1916-1988), of Ugbrooke Park, Chudleigh, Devon, and his wife the former Hon Katharine Vavasseur Fisher (1919-1999), middle daughter of the 2nd Baron Fisher (1868-1955); and married 1stly, 2 September, 1977 (div), Fiona Margaret Todd, the only daughter of Richard Andrew Palethorpe-Todd OBE, the actor of stage and screen (Richard Todd), of Little Ponton House, Grantham, co. Lincoln; and married secondly, 1989, Mrs Caroline Peta Versen, the only daughter of Peter Marshall Roberts, of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

He leaves issue from his first marriage, two sons, Christopher (born 1982) and Alasdair (born 1986), and a daughter, Elizabeth (born 1981), and a from his second marriage, a daughter, Sophie (born 1991).

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Sir Peter Ghislain Batho, 3rd Baronet 1939-2024

Sir Peter Ghislain Batho, 3rd Baronet, died 6 April 2024. He was 84.

Sir Peter was a long-serving Conservative councillor, & he lately represented the Saxmundham area on both Suffolk County Council and Suffolk Coastal District Council. He was a farmer at Saxmundham. 

He was born 9 December, 1939, the second but eldest surviving son of Sir Maurice Benjamin Batho, 2nd Baronet (1910-1990), and his wife the former Antoinette Marie d'Udekem d'Acoz (1902-1994), a cousin of Her Majesty Queen Mathilde, wife of Philippe, King of the Belgians.

He married 29 October, 1966, Lucille Mary Williamson (born 1945), daughter of Wilfred Francis Williamson, of The White House, Saxmundham, Suffolk, by whom he had issue, three sons, Rupert, Alexander and Hugh.

Peter Batho succeeded to the baronetcy on his father's death, 12 January, 1990. The title was created in 1928, for his grandfather, Sir Charles Batho (1872-1938), Lord Mayor of London.

Sir Peter was elected to Suffolk County Council for the then Leiston and Saxmundham Division in 1989 and he served for four years. He was then elected to Suffolk Coastal council for Saxmundham in 2003 and served on that council for 12 years - he was council chair in 2006/7.

The baronetcy now passes to his eldest son, Rupert Sebastian Ghislain Batho, who was born 26 October, 1967.

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Friday, April 19, 2024

Margot Naylor-Leyland (born 2024)

 Baronet's heir Tom Naylor-Leyland, and his wife Alice, have had their fourth child, a daughter, Margot, by surrogacy, 14 April, 2024.

Alice Naylor-Leyland (nee Dawson) is the wife of Thomas Philip (Tom) Naylor-Leyland (born 22 January, 1982) scion of the Naylor-Leyland baronets, and heir to the multi-million pound Fitzwilliam fortune.

The infant is a sister to William Thomas (Billy) (born 25 June, 2012), and for Nancy Serena (born 22 September, 2015), and for Felix Amager, (born 24 January, 2019).

Thomas  is the son and heir of Sir Philip Vyvian Naylor-Leyland, 4th Baronet (born 9 August, 1953) and Lady Isabella Lambton (born 17 May, 1956), fifth daughter of Antony Claude Frederick Lambton, the disclaimed 6th Earl of Durham (1922-2006), and his wife the former Belinda Bridget Blew-Jones (1921-2003).

Thomas Naylor-Leyland married in 2011, Alice Moffat Amager Dawson (born 30 March, 1986), daughter of Paul Dawson, of Cologny, Geneva, and Mrs Serena Fresson, of Ham, Wiltshire.

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Thursday, April 18, 2024

Ian Angus Ralph Campbell 1951-2024

Ian Angus Ralph Campbell, who died 4 April, 2024, aged 72, was a scion of the Earls Cawdor.

He was born 26 June, 1951, the elder son of Major Angus Mervyn Campbell (1918-2011), and his wife the former Rosemary Madeline Hamilton Fraser (1926-2022), a descendant of the Abel Smith landed family; and married in 1984 (div 2011), Jacqueline Jowett, daughter of John Jowett, by wom he had two sons, Edward (born 1988), and Frederick (born 1990), and a daughter, Laura (born 1995).

Ian Campbell was a great-grandson of the 3rd Earl Cawdor, PC, JP, DL (1847-1911).

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Sir (John) Chippendale (Lindley) Keswick

 Sir John Chippendale Lindley Keswick, known universally as 'Chips', who died 17 April, 2024, aged 84, was a merchant banker and member of the Keswick family who control Jardine Matheson, founded by William Jardine. He was chairman of Arsenal Football Club from June 2013 until his retirement in May 2020.

Sir Chips was a close friend of the King and Queen, and his wife, Lady Sarah, is one of Queen Camilla's 'Queen's Companions'.

Part of the Keswick family business dynasty, Keswick was born 2 February, 1940, the second son of Sir William Johnstone "Tony" Keswick (1903–1990) and his wife the former Mary Lindley (1911-2009), daughter of the Rt Hon Sir Francis Oswald Lindley, PC, GCMG (1872-1950), and was the grandson paternally of Henry Keswick (1870-1928). 

He was educated at Eton College and the University of Aix-Marseilles.

Chips was chairman of Hambros Bank from 1986 to 1998. He was a director of Arsenal Football Club from November 2005, and the chairman from August 2013, when he succeeded Peter Hill-Wood, until his retirement in May 2020. A former director of the Bank of England and De Beers Consolidated Mines.

Sir Chips was a member of the Queen's Body Guard for Scotland, Royal Company of Archers from 1976, and was knighted in 1993.

Keswick married 23 April, 1966, the Lady Sarah Ramsay (born 18 Oct, 1945), second daughter of the 16th Earl of Dalhousie, KT, GCVO, GBE, MC (1914-1999), sometime Lord Chamberlain to Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, and his wife the former Margaret Elizabeth Mary Stirling (1914-1997). Lady Sarah has been a lifelong friend of Queen Camilla, and is now a member of Her Majesty's household as a Queen's Companion, a title replacing the now defunct title 'Lady in Waiting'.

Chips Keswick leaves issue, three sons, Tobias (born 1968), David (born 1968), and Adam (born 1973).

Sir Chips was a member of gentleman's clubs White's and the Portland. He supported "Business for Sterling", and sat on the board of corporate donors to the Conservative Party.

He was a keen racehorse owner and hunter. He was a joint owner with Queen Camilla of several racehorses.

Keswick's elder brother Sir Henry Keswick (born 29 September, 1938) and younger brother Simon Keswick (born 20 May, 1942) are chairman and director of Jardine Matheson Holdings.

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Tuesday, April 16, 2024

Hon Sarah Elizabeth Ann Raynar (née Butler) 1932-2024

 The Hon Sarah Elizabeth Ann Raynar (née Butler), who died 6 April, 2024, aged 91, was a scion of the Viscounts Mountgarret.

She was born 26 December, 1932, the only daughter of the 16th Viscount Mountgarret (1903-1966), and his 1st wife the former Eglantine Marie Elizabeth Christie (1908-1990), scion of that landed gentry family; and married 5 November, 1955 (div 1976), Geoffrey Kenneth Sefton Raynar (1918-1981), son of Joseph Percival Raynar (1869-1951), and his wife the former Kate Bickers (1883-1960), by whom she had issue, two sons, Rupert (born 28 January, 1957), and James (born 4 July, 1962).

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Joan Mary Galpin Boswell 1927-2024

Joan Mary Galpin Boswell, who died 9 April, 2024, aged 96, was the widow of David Boswell, 16th of Auchinleck.

She was the former Joan Mary Galpin White, daughter of Douglas Cecil White [1895-1971], of Combe Down, Bath, and his wife the former Charlotte Galpin Lilley [1892-1968]; and married 1950, David Boswell, 16th of Auckinleck (1927-2022), son of Capt Philip Rutherford Boswell [15th] of Auchinleck, MC [1889-1969], and his wife the former [Elsie] Kathleen Hunter [1900-1968]. Her husband died 1 February, 2022. She leaves two sons and two daughters.

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Monday, April 15, 2024

The Baroness Petre 1941-2024

 The Baroness Petre, who died 8 April, 2024, was wife of the Baron Petre, KCVO, DL, sometime Lord Lieutenant of Essex, landowner, and 18th holder of the barony.

The Petres are seated at Ingatestone Hall, a Grade I listed 16th-century manor house in Essex. It is located outside the village of Ingatestone, and was built by Sir William Petre, and his descendants have lived there for over 500 years.

Marcia Gwendolyn Plumpton was born circa July, 1941, daughter of Alfred George Plumpton (1911-1981), and his wife the former Emily Nora Young (1908-1957); and married 16 September, 1965, the Hon John Patrick Lionel Petre (born 4 August, 1942), scion of a recusant family, son and heir of the 17th Baron Petre (1914-1989), and his wife the former Marguerite Eileen Hamilton (who died 15 June, 2003). Her husband succeeded his father, 1 January, 1989, in the peerage (created 1603).

Lady Petre (pronoubced 'Peter') is survived by her husband, and a son, Dominic, and a daughter Clare, and is predeceased by a son Mark.

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The Baron Rosser 1944-2024

 Lord Rosser, life baron, who died 10 April, 2024, aged 79, was a trade union leader and Labour politician who was a member of the House of Lords. He latterly served as Shadow Spokesperson for Transport and Home Affairs in the House of Lords.

Richard Andrew Rosser was born 5 October, 1944, was employed by London Transport he joined the staff of the Transport Salaried Staffs' Association (TSSA) early in his working career, representing London Transport's white-collar staff in negotiations with the management. He rose through the ranks of the TSSA to be an Assistant General Secretary (one of two, at the time), and in 1989 he was elected General Secretary of the union (i.e. in day-to-day control, but answerable to an elected Executive Committee of lay members, and to the Annual Conference). Rosser was re-elected twice, serving a total of fifteen years in office before his retirement in 2004 – a record second only to the thirty years (1906-1936) served by Alexander Walkden.

During his time at the TSSA, Rosser was also a magistrate and was Chairman of the National Executive Committee of the Labour Party in 1997–98.

Rosser was the Labour candidate for Croydon Central at the general election of February 1974, but was not elected.

Following his retirement from TSSA Rosser was created a life peer on 14 June 2004 as Baron Rosser, of Ickenham in the London Borough of Hillingdon, taking his seat in the House of Lords on the Labour Party benches in the summer of 2004. In addition to transport matters, he took an interest in penal policy, being chair of the Prison Service Audit Committee and a non-executive member of the Prison Service change programme board.

Lord Rosser served as an Opposition Whip and Spokesperson for the Labour Party on defence, home affairs and transport at various times from 2010. He stood down from the Labour front bench in 2022 due to ill health. 

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Christine, Baroness Cobbold 1940-2024

 Christine, Baroness Cobbold, who died from pancreatic cancer, 7 April, 2024, aged 83, was a Bohemian aristocrat, chatelaine of magnificent Knebworth, who helped her husband to preserve his family seat with a string of celebrated rock festivals.

Christine Elizabeth Stucley, known universally as Chryssie, was born 25 April, 1940, a scion of the baronets of that name, third daughter of Maor Sir Dennis Stucley, 5th Baronet (1907-1983), who owned both the fortified gatehouse Affeton Castle near Bideford and the imposing Hartland Abbey, hunted four days a week and founded the Taw and Torridge pack, by his wife the former Hon Sheila Margaret Warwick Bampfylde (1912-1996), scion of the Barons Politimore.

She married 7 January, 1961, the then Hon David Antony Fromanteel Cobbold (born 14 July, 1937), son of the 1st Baron Cobbold, KG, GCVO, PC, DL (1904-1987), sometime Governor of the Bank of England, and Lord Chamberlain to Queen Elizabeth II, and his wife the former Lady Margaret Hermione Millicent Bulwer-Lytton (1905-2004), scion of the Earls of Lytton. Her husband succeeded his father, 1 November, 1987, as 2nd Baron Cobbold (cr UK, 1960).

Lady Cobbold was widowed 9 May, 2022. She leaves issue, three sons, Henry, Peter and Richard, and a daughter, Rosina. Her eldest son is the 3rd Baron Cobbold (born 12 May 1962).

In 1969, she and her husband David, had begged to open his mother’s dilapidated family seat Knebworth House and its 250-acre park to the public to help with the running costs. His parents — had no time to keep the house going and it needed substantial restoration work, with a 14-acre “wilderness garden, extensive dry rot, fungus and every sort of beetle”.

The young Cobbolds were then in the vanguard of historic house owners sharing their heritage, but with far less money than rivals such as Longleat and Woburn Abbey. The struggle to keep the estate afloat amid wildly fluctuating fortunes dominated the next 35 years of the Cobbolds’ lives, but they approached each setback and windfall with humorous stoicism.

When in 2000 the couple handed on the estate, by now protected by a charitable conservation trust, to their eldest son Henry and his American wife Martha (née Boone), it was a thriving business that had welcomed millions of visitors to events ranging from medieval banquets and Wild West reenactments to wedding receptions and athletics meets.

From the Daily Telegraph obituary: The Cobbolds’ four children survive her: Henry, the 3rd Lord Cobbold, a former Hollywood screenwriter and keen naturist, is Knebworth’s current custodian; Peter manages a property rental business in Spain; Richard is the director of an international tech company; and Rosina is an artist and alternative education pioneer. Lady Cobbold is also survived by the Ugandan brothers Danny and Harry Matovu, whom she and her husband informally adopted. They were two of Henry’s closest friends at Eton whose parents had suffered persecution under Idi Amin, and who went on to become successful barristers. After handing over Knebworth to the next generation, the Cobbolds moved to a house nearby where Chryssie cared for her husband as he faced Parkinson’s disease. When he died [in 2022] she ordered a coffin decorated with the artwork from his favourite Pink Floyd album and erected a memorial bench beside his grave in Knebworth garden inscribed: “See you on the Dark Side of the Moon”.

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Roe/Robinson engagement

 The engagement was announced 15 April, 2024, between Edward Frederick John Roe (born 1994), elder son of Alexander Frederick James Roe, of Upper Farringdon, Hampshire, and his late wife the former Caroline Jane Maltby (1957-2021), & Kate Jane Robinson (born 1996), daughter of Dr Simon Robinson, of Hartwith, North Yorkshire, and his wife Dr Jane Robinson (nee Sawyer).

Edward Roe is descended from the Earls of Malmesbury:-

The 6th Earl of Malmesbury (1907-2000) > Lady Sylvia Harris (b 1934) > Caroline Maltby (1957-2021) > Edward Roe (b 1994)

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Daphne Emma Gillian Cooksley (born 2024)

 Mary Rose Avril Cooksley (born 1991, nee Ropner), wife of Alexander James Cooksley [born 1992], gave birth to a daughter, Daphne Emma Gillian, 31 March, 2024.

Alexander is the elder son of Steven Cooksley, of Coulsdon, Surrey, and his wife the former Gillian Taylor.

Mary Cooksle, a scion of the Ropner baronets, is the eldest daughter of Charles Guy Corban Ropner [born 2 February, 1959], of Bedale, North Yorkshire, and his wife the former Emma Andrews.

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Saturday, April 13, 2024

Gobourn/Burnell engagement

 The engagement was announced 13 April, 2024, between Toby Richard C. Gobourn (born 13 November, 1996, younger son of Andrew Dennis Crichton Gobourn (born 1960), of East Lothian, and his wife the former Claire Kelway Smith-Carington (born 1962), scion of that landed gentry family; and Victoria M.M. Burnell, second daughter of Mr and Mrs Nicholas Burnell of Hampshire.

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Bossom/Morgan engagement

 The engagement was announced 13 April, 2024, between Barnaby David Vaughan Bossom (born 28 December, 1995), scion of the Bossom baronets, the third son of Doric Alfred Howard Bossom (born 27 February, 1960), of Salisbury, Wiltshire, and his wife the former Sara Jocelyn Vaughan (born 1958), and Lucy B. Morgan, elder daughter of John and Sharon Morgan, of Houghton, Hampshire.

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Charlotte Francis Champion De Crespigny 1948-2024

 Charlotte Francis Champion de Crespigny, who died in Australia, 4 April, 2024, aged 75, was a scion of that landed gentry family. 

Descended from French nobility,Charlotte descended from Claude Champion de Crespigny, Sieur de Crespigny, whose three sons became free denizens of England by Act of Parliament, passed 5 March 1690.

She was born 3 September, 1948, daughter of Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Constantine Trent Champion De Crespigny, DSO, VD (1882-1952), a soldier, doctor, abd academic in Adelaide, Australia, and his second wife, the former Mary Birks Jolley (1915-1994); and married Gary Childs, by whom she had issue.

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Friday, April 12, 2024

Colonel Thomas Peter Anson 1933-2024

 Colonel Thomas Peter (Gus) Anson, who died 7 April, 2024, aged 91, was a scion of the Earls of Lichfield.

He was born 5 March, 1933, the second son of Major the Hon Rupert Anson (1889-1966), and his wife the former Marion Emma Ruthven Halliday (1891-1965), and a grandson of the 3rd Earl of Lichfield (1856-1918);  and married 19 December, 1964, Judith Hilary (Judy) Kennard (1942-2015), kin of the Kennard baronets, by whom he had issue, two sons, Henry James (born 2 Jan, 1967), and Patrick John (born 27 February, 1969).

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Cox/Codrington engagement

 The engagement was announced 12 April, 2024, between Ruairidh Alexander Stewart Cox (born 1997), eldest son of Mr Adrian Cox and Dr Karen Bradshaw, of North Barn, Forehill, Pembrokeshire, & Cecilia Elizabeth Lillian Codrington (born 1996), daughter of Sir Christopher George Wayne Codrington, 4th Baronet (born 20 February, 1960), of Fordwells, Oxfordshire, and his wife the former Noelle Lynn Leverson.

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Blackett/von Klitzing engagement

The engagement was announced 12 April, 2024, between Henry Douglas Blackett (born 2 February, 1992), son and heir of Sir Hugh Francis Blackett, 12th Baronet (born 11 February, 1955), of Corbridge, Northumberland, and his wife the former Anna Margaret Coldwell (born 1959), & Joséphine Marie Dorothée Nicole von Klitzing (born 7 August, 1986), daughter of Konstantin Joachim Gebhard von Klitzing (born 21 December, 1951), of Paris, and his wife the former Caroline de Roussy de Sales (born 12 March, 1958).


Wednesday, April 10, 2024

Townsend/Warde-Aldam engagement

 The engagement was announced 10 April, 2024, between Dr George Jack Nairne Townsend (born 21 May, 1993), middle son of Andrew Townsend, of Faringdon, Oxfordshire, and his wife Margaret Caroline Susan Nairne (born 10 May, 1961), & Eala Saffron Grace Warde-Aldam (born 1993), scion of that landed gentry family, daughter of James Julian (Jamie) Warde-Aldam (born 1957), of Healey, Northumberland, and his wife the former Amynta Wood-Gush.


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Tuesday, April 09, 2024

Musker/Pheysey engagement

The engagement was announced 9 April, 2024, between Hamish FitzRoy Musker (born 1990), scion of that landed gentry family, son of Robert Antony Musker (born 14 June, 1952), of Gloucestershire, and his former wife the former Charlotte Brownlow Patrick (now Mrs Charlotte Harrison, of Norfolk), and Amelia Hope Pheysey (born 1996), daughter of Paul Charles Hargrave Pheysey (born 1962), of Kensington, London, and his wife the former Helen Fifield.

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Sunday, April 07, 2024

The 4th Baron Holmpatrick 1955-2024

 The 4th Baron Holmpatrick died 21 March, 2024. He was 69.

The peer was a descendant of the Iron Duke, Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington.

Hans James David Hamilton was born 15 March, 1955, son of the 3rd Baron Holmpatrick (1928-1991), and his wife the former Anne Loys Roche Brass (who died 1998); and succeeded to the peerage (created in 1897), on his father's death, 15 February, 1991.

Lord Holmpatrick married 19 July, 1984, Mrs Gill Francesca Anne du Feu, 1st daughter of Squadron Leader Kenneth James Toby Harding, DFC, RAF, of Binisafua, Minorca, Spain, by whom he had issue an only son, the Hon James Hans Stephen Hamilton (born 6 October, 1982).

The peerage now passes to his brother the Hon Ion Henry James Hamilton (born 12 June, 1956).

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Saturday, April 06, 2024

Elizabeth Jane Scrope 1937-2024

 Elizabeth Jane Scrope, who died 20 March, 2024, aged 86, was a scion of the Scrope landed family, of Danby.

She was born 5 June, 1937, daughter of Richard Ladislas Scrope (1901-1990), head of that ancient dynasty, and his wife the former Lady Jane Mary Egerton (1909-1978), scion of the Earls of Ellesmere.

Miss Scrope was a granddaughter maternally of the 4th Earl of Ellesmere (1872-1944).

She was unmarried.

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Lord Hoyle, JP 1930-2024

 The Lord Hoyle, JP, life peer and former Labour MP, died 6 April, 2024, aged 94.

Eric Douglas Harvey Hoyle, Baron Hoyle was born 17 February, 1930. He was chair of the Parliamentary Labour Party from 1992 to 1997 and a lord-in-waiting from 1997 to 1999. A member of the Labour Party, he was Member of Parliament (MP) for Nelson and Colne from 1974 to 1979 and Warrington North from 1981 to 1997.

Doug Hoyle first stood for Parliament at Clitheroe in 1964, but came second. In 1970, he first fought Nelson and Colne, and was defeated by the Conservative incumbent David Waddington by 1,410 votes. He fought the seat again in February 1974, and reduced Waddington's margin to 177. He was finally elected at the general election of October 1974 for Nelson and Colne by 669 votes; this was the first Labour gain to be announced on election night. Hoyle narrowly lost his seat at the general election of 1979, but returned to Parliament in 1981 when he saw off a strong challenge from Roy Jenkins in a traditionally safe Labour seat. This was a notable by election in Warrington when enthusiasm for the newly created Social Democratic Party was at its peak. Constituency boundaries were redrawn for the general election of 1983, when he became MP for Warrington North.

Hoyle retired from the House of Commons at the general election of 1997, and on 14 May 1997, he was created a life peer as Baron Hoyle, of Warrington in the County of Cheshire. He retired from the Lords on 25 June 2023.

Lord Hoyle was a son of William Hoyle and his wife Leah Ellen. He married in 1953, Pauline Spencer (who died in 1991). His only son is Sir Lindsay Hoyle, MP (born 10 June, 1957), who has been Member of Parliament for Chorley since 1997 and Speaker of the House of Commons since 2019.

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Thursday, April 04, 2024

Lord Clinton, 22nd Baron 1934-2024

 Lord Clinton, the 22nd Baron, JP, DL, holder of one of England's oldest peerages, died 2 April, 2024, aged 89. He was the largest landowner in Devon.

Gordonstoun educated Lord Clinton, who took his seat in the House of Lords in 1965, was a member of the Prince of Wales's Council 1968-79, a JP for Bideford 1963-83, and a deputy Lieutenant of Devon from 1977.

Lord Clinton was seated at Heanton Satchville a historic manor near Okehampton, North Devon. With origins in the Domesday manor of Hantone, it was first recorded as belonging to the Yeo family in the mid-14th century and was then owned successively by the Rolle, Walpole and Trefusis families. The mansion house was destroyed by fire in 1795. In 1812 Lord Clinton purchased the manor and mansion of nearby Huish, renamed it Heanton Satchville, and made it his seat. The nearly-forgotten house was featured in the 2005 edition of Rosemary Lauder's "Vanished Houses of North Devon".

Lord Clinton was born Gerard Nevile Mark Fane, 7 October, 1934, the only son of Capt Charles Nevile Fane (1911-1940), and his wife the former Gladys Mabel Lowther; and was a grandson of the Hon Hon Harriet Hepburn-Stuart-Forbes-Trefusis (1887-1958), the elder daughter and co-heir of the 21st Baron Clinton, GCVO, PC, JP, DL (1863-1957); and he succeeded to the barony (created in 1298/99) on the termination of the abeyance of the peerage, 18 March, 1965.

Lord Clinton assumed the additional surname of Trefusis in addition to his patronymic, in 1958.

He married 18 July, 1959, Nicola Harriette Purdon Coote (born 6 January, 1937), eldest of the five daughters of Major Charles Robert Purdon Coote (1875-1954), of Ballyclough Castle and Bearforst, County Cork, by his wife the former Noel Margaret Jephson Stracey (1908-2009), scion of the Stracey baronets, by whom he had issue, a son, Charles, and two daughters, Caroline (born 23 May, 1960), and Henrietta (born 31 Jan, 1964.)

The son, the Hon Charles Patrick Rolle Fane Trefusis (born 21 March, 1962), now succeeds as 23rd Baron Clinton.

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James Sammy Chadwick Davis-Goff 1989-2024

 James Sammy Chadwick Davis-Goff, who died in a helicopter crash in the Swiss Alps, 2 April, 2024, aged 34, was a scion of the Davis-Goff baronets.

 'Jimmy Goff' was among three people who died in the crash. Davis-Goff, pilot Jerome Lovey and ski guide Adam George were killed when their Air-Glaciers B3 type helicopter was hit by an avalanche while on the summit of the Petit Combin mountain in southern Switzerland. They were due to go “heli-skiing”, which involves being dropped off by a helicopter at the top of a mountain. The helicopter was carried away off a steep slope and plunged 500 metres down the mountain before coming to a stop. Three passengers survived the fall: Edward Courage and brothers Teddy and Guy Hitchens.

James Davis-Goff was born in 1989, third son of Sir Robert William Davis-Goff, 4th Baronet (born 12 September, 1955), and his wife the former Nathalie Sheelagh Chadwick. 

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Sir William Mark Charles Garthwaite, 3rd Baronet

  Sir Mark Garthwaite, 3rd Baronet, died 23 March, 2024. He was 77.

Sir Mark was educated at Gordonstoun and the University of Pennsylvania (BSc)

William Mark Charles Garthwaite was born 4 November, 1946, son of Sir William Francis Cuthbert Garthwaite, 2nd Baronet, DSC (1906-1993), and his 2nd wife the former Patricia Beatrice Eden Neate (1916-2002); and succeeded to the baronetcy (cr UK, 1919), on his father's death, 15 December, 1993.

He married in 1979, Victoria Lisette (Vicki) Tuzo (born 1952), the only child of General Sir Harry Crauford Tuzo, GCB, OBE, MC (1917-1998), by whom he had issue, a son, William (born 14 May, 1982), and two daughters, Rosie Francesca (born 1980), a journalist, and Jemima Victoria (born 1984).

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Wednesday, April 03, 2024

Charles Alexander Nicholas Clifford (born 2024)

The Hon Mrs Alexander Clifford, wife of Lord Clifford of Chudleigh's heir, the Hon Alexander Clifford, gave birth to a son, Charles Alexander Nicholas, 12 January, 2024.

Mrs Clifford is the former Lucy Jane Lenygon (born 1986), daughter of Mr Nicholas J. Lenygon (born 1954) and Mrs Sarah J. Lenygon (nee Murray).

Alexander Clifford (born 24 September, 1985), is the elder son and heir of the 14th Baron Clifford of Chuldeigh (b 17 Mar, 1948) (Peerage of England, cr 1672), of Ugbrooke Park, Chudleigh, Devon, by his former wife (Muriel) Suzanne Austin. 

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Saturday, March 30, 2024

Hon Rosemary Ethel Coupar Maitland 1931-2024

 The Hon Rosemary 'Romaire' Maitland, who died 27 March, 2024, aged 93, was the last surviving daughter of the 1st (and last) Baron Abertay, KBE, JP, DL (1875-1940).

She was born Rosemary Ethel Coupar Barrie in 1931, middle daughter of the 1st Baron Abertay and his wife the former Ethel Broom, and married 1952, John Stuart Maitland (who died 2008), by whom she had issue, three sons and one daughter.

The barony of Abertay became extinct with her father's death, 6 Dec, 1940.

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Harry Alexander Lowe (born 2024)

  Clementine Mary R. Lowe (born 1991, née Francklin), wife of Frederick James Lowe (born 1991), gave birth to a son, Harry Alexander, 12 March, 2024.

Clementine Lowe is a daughter of William Alexander Mavourn Francklin (born 1958), scion of that landed gentry family, and his wife the former Celina Lucinda Palmer (born 15 May, 1961), scion of the Palmer baronets, daughter of Sir Geoffrey Christopher John Palmer, 12th Baronet (born 30 June, 1936).

Fred Lowe is descended from the Baker baronets:-

Sir George Edward Dunstan Sherston Baker, 4th Baronet > Henrietta Baker > Michael Chapman > Nicola Chapman > Fred Lowe

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Clover Coco Bewley Macpherson (born 2024)

 Rosie Jean B. Macpherson [née Atkinson, born 1989], wife of Charles Edward Ian Macpherson [born 1989], gave birth to a daughter, Clover Coco Bewley, 25 March, 2024, a sister for Milo (born 2020), and Albie (born 2022).

Rosie is a daughter of Nigel Atkinson. Charles Macpherson is a son of Nigel Charles Blake Macpherson, and his wife the former Georgina Lily Fleur Mountain [born 1 Aug, 1959], scion of the Mountain baronets, daughter of Sir Denis Mountain, 3rd Baronet [1929-2005].

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Friday, March 29, 2024

Major Michael Thomas Noel Hamilton Wills, LVO 1940-2024

Major Tom Wills, Coldstream Guards, scion of the Wills baronets, died 20 March, 2024. He was 83.

He was owner of Miserden Park, a grand Jacobean manor with expansive, intricately laid out grounds near Stroud in Gloucestershire. He was High Sheriff of Gloucestershire in 1985, and appointed Exon HM Body Guard of the Yeomen of the Guard in 1993

He was born 31 May, 1940, (twin with a brother Frederick), a son of Major Michael Desmond Hamilton Wills, MC (1915-1943), Coldstream Guards, and his wife Mary Margaret Mitford (1916-2006), scion of that landed gentry family. His mother married 2ndly, 1947, Colonel Sir Martin St John Valentine Gibbs, KCVO, CB, DSO (1917-1992, of The Manor House, Ewen, near Cirencester.

Wills married in 1982 (div 1992), Penelope Howard-Baker (born 1953), daughter of Benjamin Howard-Baker, of Glascoed Hall, Llansilin, Shropshire, by his wife the former Ann Layfield, by whom he had issue, a son, Nicholas James Noel Hamilton Wills (born 1983), now of Miderden, and a daughter, Camilla Jane Hamilton Wills (born 1985).

Miserden was built in the early 17th century by the Sandys family. The natural scenery of Miserden, where it’s situated, is spectacular: its gardens overlook the River Frome and a deer park, while its grounds incorporate woodland and farmland. This magical, multifaceted estate in a Cotswolds hamlet, also called Miserden, has evolved gradually as successive owners have left their mark on it.

In the 1920s, Edwin Lutyens made a significant contribution to Miserden, which scooped the Historic Houses Garden of the Year Award in 2018; this has been presented annually since 1984 and is sponsored by Christie’s. In 1919, (Frederick) Noel Hamilton Wills (1887-1927), (grandfather of Maj Tom), bought the property in 1913 — and commissioned Lutyens to design a new east wing with an arched loggia after the house was badly damaged by a fire. He also created a loggia and a striking topiary yew walk featuring crenellations echoing those of the loggia.

It seems to run in the Wills family to be green-fingered. Tom Wills, a grandson of Noel and his wife the former Margery Fraser moved into the estate after his grandmother died in 1980 and devoted himself for 40 years to maintaining her legacy, while making his own additions, largely inspired by his passion for trees and forestry. In 2013, he planted a circle of lime trees opposite the house to mark the centenary of the Wills family owning Miserden. He also established its arboretum, planting about 75 per cent of its trees.

Maj Tom Wills was appointed LVO by Queen Elizabeth II.

 A private funeral for family and those of Miserden village, by invitation, will be held on Wednesday 10 April, 2024. There will be a Memorial Service at the Parish Church of St John Baptist, Cirencester on Wednesday 15 May, 2024.

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Wednesday, March 27, 2024

Elisabeth, Baroness Amherst of Hackney 1943-2024

 Elisabeth, Baroness Amherst of Hackney, who died 18 March, 2024, aged 80, was the widow of the 4th Baron Amherst of Hackney.

She was born in 1943, a daughter of Hugh Humphrey Merriman, DSO, MC, TD (1910-1983), of Letts Green, Knockholt, Kent, and his wife the former Anne Margaret Holden Illingworth (1914-1998), scion of that landed gentry family; and married 30 March, 1965, the then Hon William Hugh Amherst Cecil (born 28 December, 1940), son and heir of Major the 3rd Baron Amherst of Hackney, CBE (1912-80), and his wife the former Margaret Eirene Clifton Brown (1921-2009). Her husband succeeded his father as 4th Baron, 22 July, 1980, and died 2 April, 2009.

Lady Amherst of Hackney leaves issue, a son, William, the 5th Baron (born 17 July, 1968), and a daughter the Hon Aurelia (who was born 19 July, 1966).

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Lady Anne Elizabeth Grania Phipps 1965-2024

 The Lady Anne Elizabeth Grania Phipps, who died 18 March, 2024, aged 58, was the seventh and youngest child of the 4th Marquis of Normanby, KG, CBE (1912-1994), of Mulgrave Castle, Whitby, by his wife the former Hon Grania Maeve Rosura Guinness, OBE (1920-2018), scion of the Barons Moyne.

She was unmarried. The funeral Service and Interment take place on Thursday 4th April 2024, at St Oswald's Church, Lythe, Whitby, North Yorkshire.

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Sunday, March 24, 2024

(Helen) Vernon Bruce 1927-2024

 (Helen) Vernon Wallop Bruce, who has died aged 96, was a scion of the Earls of Portsmouth.

She was born 16 December, 1927, the second daughter of Vice-Admiral Sir Peveril Barton Reibey William-Powlett, KCB, KCMG, CBE, DSO (1898-1985), and his wife Helen Constance Forbes Crombie (1903-1965); and married 17 May, 1951, Lieutenant-Commander Henry Victor Bruce of Salloch, RN, DL (1924-2011), a scion of the Earls of Elgin & Kincardine, eldest son of Capt the Hon John Bernard Bruce, RN (1892-1971), and his wife the former Helen Rachel Rawstorne (who died 1983), by whom she had issue, two sons, Peveril John Bruce of Salloch (born 6 Oct, 1953), and Maj-Gen Alastair Andrew Bernard Reibey Bruce of Crionaich, OBE, Governor of Edinburgh Castle, journalist, TV correspondent and herald (born 25 June, 1960), and two daughters, Robina Helen (born 27 May, 1952), and Lucinda Jane (born 1 January, 1956).

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Saturday, March 23, 2024

Husmann/Cooke-Yarborough engagement

 The engagement was announced 23 March, 2024, between Hans Husmann, only son of Mr and Mrs Uwe W Husmann of Hansestadt Stralsund, Western Pomerania, Germany, and Eliza Flora Cooke-Yarborough (born 1993), elder daughter of Sir Anthony Edmund Cooke-Yarborough, 13th Baronet (born 6 August, 1956), of Barford St Michael, Oxfordshire, and his wife the former Joanna Susan Northrop (born 1957).

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Wills/Thompson engagement

 The engagement was announced 23 March, 2024, between George Edmund Hamilton Wills (born 1993), scion of the Barons Dulverton, second son of Christopher Aubrey Hamilton Wills (born 21 February, 1953), of Litchfield, Hampshire, and his wife the Lady Katharine Anne Meade (born 10 Aug, 1959), scion of the Earls of Clanwilliam, & Emma V.B. Thompson, eldest daughter of Mr and Mrs Michael Gavin Thompson, of Wadhurst, East Sussex.

George Wills is a grandson maternally of the late 6th Earl of Clanwilliam (1914-1989).

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Erskine-Hill/Connell engagement

 The marriage took place, 2 March, 2024, between Robert Benjamin (Ben) Erskine-Hill (born 6 August, 1986), son and heir of Sir Alexander Roger Erskine-Hill of Quothquhan, 3rd Baronet (born 15 Aug, 1949), of Blairgowrie, Perthshire, and his wife the former Sarah Anne Sydenham Clarke, & Rebecca Dominique Connell (born 1988).

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Thursday, March 21, 2024

Lord Vivian engaged to Saweda Kamara

 The engagement was announced 21 March, 2024, between Charles Crespigny Hussey Vivian, 7th Baron Vivian (born 20 December, 1966), son of the late 6th Baron Vivian (1935-2004), and his first wife the former Catherine Joyce Hope (born 1939), scion of that landed gentry family, & Saweda Kamara, only daughter of the late Mr Alex Kamara and Mrs Jeanette Eccles-James (née Smythe-Macaulay), of Freetown, Sierra Leone.

Lord Vivian is the 7th Baron (Peerage of the UK, cr 1841), and a Baronet (cr 1828). His mother married secondly, as his 2nd wife, 5 June, 1972, the 8th Earl of Mexborough (born 16 May, 1931).

Lord Vivian married firstly in 2011 (div), Mrs M. Elizabeth Wimpress, daughter of Gregory Vatterott of St Louis, Missouri, USA. He has no children, and the heir presumptive to his peerage and baronetcy is his cousin, Thomas Crespigny Brabazon Vivian (born 17 January, 1971).

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Wednesday, March 20, 2024

Tessa Tiggy Elizabeth Ponsonby (born 2024)

  Joanna Kate Ponsonby [nee Sutton, born 1987], wife of Frederick Edward Ponsonby [born 1986], scion of the Ponsonby baronets, gave birth to a daughter, Tessa Tiggy Elizabeth, 5 March, 2024, a sister for Archie Jonathan Charles, who was born 19 September, 2019, and for Penelope Sylvia Mary, born 5 August, 2021. 

Fred Ponsonby is a younger son of Sir Charles Ponsonby, 3rd Baronet [born 1951], of Woodstock, co Oxford, by his wife the former Mary Priscilla Bromley Davenport, scion of that landed gentry family.

Joanna Ponsonby is a daughter of Robert Hiles Sutton [born 1954], of Newton Valence, co Hampshire, by his wife the former Caroline Jane Dewey [born 1955], daughter of Sir Anthony Dewey, 3rd Baronet [1921-2016].

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Son and heir for Viscount and Viscountess Newport

  Eliza Bridgeman, styled Viscountess Newport, wife of Alexander Michael Orlando Bridgeman, styled Viscount Newport [born 6 September, 1980], has given birth to a son and heir, Archibald Henry Orlando (Archie), 19 March, 2024.

Viscoutess Newport (born 1991, nee Eliza Liepina), was educated at Auckland University, New Zealand. The Newports married at Weston Park, Shropshire, 14 May, 2022.

Viscount Newport is the eldest of the four children of the 7th Earl of Bradford [born 3 Oct, 1947], of Weston-under-Lizard, Shifnal, Shropshire, and his former 1st wife the former Joanna Elizabeth Miller [now Mrs Philip Porter, of Hungerford, Berkshire].

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Monday, March 18, 2024

Bridget Rose Dugdale 1941-2024

 Rose Dugdale, the English aristocrat who led a notorious IRA art heist, died 18 March, 2024, at the age of 82.

The death of the disinherited heiress comes just days before a film about her life is to be released in cinemas.

Bridget Rose Dugdale, the rebellious former debutante from Devon turned her back on a life of privilege to join the IRA in the 1970s, and went on to mastermind a multimillion-pound fine art heist. She was born in Devon, 25 March, 1941, scion of a landed gentry family, daughter of James Dugdale (1904-1991), a millionaire Lloyd's underwriter, of Yarty Farm, Axminster, and his wife the former Caroline Edith Sutton Timmis (1903-1986). 

Her grandfather was Major James Gordon Dugdale, DSO, MVO, MC (1874-1955), of The Abbey, Cirencester.

The Oxford graduate was the ringleader of the 1974 IRA raid on the Russborough House estate in Co Wicklow, in which 19 valuable paintings were stolen.

She was involved in other IRA operations, including a failed bid to drop bombs on to a police station in Northern Ireland using a helicopter hijacked in Co Donegal.

The republican bombmaker was convicted and sentenced to nine years in prison for her IRA activities. She was pregnant at the time and gave birth to a son inside Limerick prison.

The film telling the story of the art heist, Baltimore, will be released in cinemas this Friday.

Actress Imogen Poots plays Rose Dugdale in the thriller directed by Joe Lawlor and Christine Molloy.

She had been living in a care home in Dublin in recent years.

Sinn Fein TD for Dublin South Central, Aengus O Snodaigh, extended his sympathies to her friends and family.

Rose was a committed republican and was unflinching in her beliefs

Aengus O Snodaigh, Sinn Fein TD

He said: “I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Rose Dugdale this morning, and on my own behalf and that of Sinn Fein I wish to offer heartfelt condolences to her friends, family and party members.

“Rose was a committed republican and was unflinching in her beliefs, and Ireland has today lost a committed republican and activist, and Sinn Fein a valued comrade.”

He added: “Rose for many decades lived in Dublin, in the south inner-city, Drimnagh, and in recent years in a nursing home in Chapelizod, and was an active member of Sinn Fein.

“She was extremely committed to her community, both in her work for Sinn Fein, where she was a hugely popular figure locally and nationally, but also in a wide variety of community groups.

“She was also a great educator of Sinn Fein activists and representatives, many of whom benefited from her vast knowledge and life experiences, and who are all feeling the loss of a dear friend and comrade today.”

She was mother of a son, Ruairi, fathered by Eddie Gallagher, who was born 3 Oct, 1975.

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Saturday, March 16, 2024

Lieutenant-Col John Rochfort Yerburgh 1931-2024

Lieutenant-Colonel John Rochfort Yerburgh, who died 3 February, 2024, aged 92, was a scion of that landed family (later Barons Alvingham).

He was born 14 September, 1931, the eldest son of the Rev Oswald Rochfort Yerburgh (1900-1966), and his wife the former Cicely Joan Savile (1901-1981), scion of that landed gentry family; and married 17 August, 1963, Gillian Elizabeth Clifford (1944-2023), daughter of Derek Plint Clifford (1915-2003), of Hartlip Place, Sittingbourne, Kent, and his wife the former Betty Norah Pierson (1917-1984), by whom he had issue, Toby William Rochfort (born 9 Oct, 1965), and a daughter, Sophia Jane Clifford (born 8 January, 1967).

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Audley Mark Mackworth-Praed 1955-2024

 Audley Mark Mackworth-Praed, who died 8 March, 2024, aged 68, was a scion of that landed gentry family, sometime of Mickleham.

He was born 8 September, 1955, second son of Major Humphrey Mackworth-Praed (1919-1995), and his wife the former Penelope Tompson (1922-2010), scion of that landed family; and married in 1983, Debra Woodwards, by whom he had issue, Kelly, Verity, Meredith and Alex.

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Life peerages gazetted

Crown Office

THE KING has been pleased by Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the Realm dated 7 March 2024 to confer the dignity of a Barony of the United Kingdom for life upon the following:

In the forenoon

Franck Robert Marie Petitgas, by the name, style and title of BARON PETITGAS, of Bosham in the County of West Sussex.

In the afternoon

Sydney John Peter Booth, by the name, style and title of BARON BOOTH, of Houghton-le-Spring in the City of Sunderland.

Crown Office

THE KING has been pleased by Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the Realm dated 8 March 2024 to confer the dignity of a Barony of the United Kingdom for life upon the following:

In the forenoon

John Charles Fuller, O.B.E., by the name, style and title of BARON FULLER, of Gorleston-on-Sea in the County of Norfolk.

In the afternoon

Stuart Adam Marks, C.B.E., by the name, style and title of BARON MARKS OF HALE, of Hale in the County of Greater Manchester

THE KING has been pleased by Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the Realm dated 11 March 2024 to confer the dignity of a Barony of the United Kingdom for life upon the following:

In the forenoon

Paul Alexander Cyril Goodman, by the name, style and title of BARON GOODMAN OF WYCOMBE, of High Wycombe in the County of Buckinghamshire.

In the afternoon

James Gerard Jamieson, by the name, style and title of BARON JAMIESON, of Maulden in the County of Bedfordshire.

THE KING has been pleased by Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the Realm dated 12 March 2024 to confer the dignity of a Barony of the United Kingdom for life upon the following:

In the forenoon

The Honourable Rosamond Mary Monckton, M.B.E., by the name, style and title of BARONESS MONCKTON OF DALLINGTON FOREST, of Earlsdown in the County of East Sussex.

In the afternoon

John Hannett, O.B.E., by the name, style and title of BARON HANNETT OF EVERTON, of Bramley-Moore Dock in the City of Liverpool.

Crown Office

THE KING has been pleased by Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the Realm dated 13 March 2024 to confer the dignity of a Barony of the United Kingdom for life upon the following:

In the forenoon

Carmen Ria Smith, by the name, style and title of BARONESS SMITH OF LLANFAES, of Llanfaes in the County of Ynys Môn.

In the afternoon

Jane Ramsey, by the name, style and title of BARONESS RAMSEY OF WALL HEATH, of Dulwich in the London Borough of Southwark.

Crown Office

THE KING has been pleased by Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the Realm dated 14 March 2024 to confer the dignity of a Barony of the United Kingdom for life upon Ayesha Yousef Hazarika, M.B.E., by the name, style and title of BARONESS HAZARIKA, of Coatbridge in the County of Lanarkshire

Caspar Thomas Maclaren Coghill (born 2024)

 Marina Alice Victoria Coghill (born 1989, nee Fairfax), wife of James Coghill, gave birth to a son, Caspar Thomas Maclaren, 4 March, 2024, a brother for Astrid Mary Ulla (born 2022).

James is a son of Mr & Mrs Richard Coghill, of Hong Kong.

Marina, a scion of the Lords Fairfax of Cameron, is the econd daughter of the Hon Hugh Nigel Thomas Fairfax [born 29 March, 1958], of London, by his wife the former Victoria Janet Neave [born 1959], scion of the Neave baronets.

Marina Fairfax is a granddaughter of the late 13th Lord Fairfax of Cameron [1923-64], by his wife the former Sonia Helen Gunston [died 2017], sometime Lady of the Bedchamber to HM Queen Elizabeth II.

Marina Fairfax Fashion Consultancy was founded in 2019 by Marina Fairfax after 12 years in the international modelling business.  Based in Hong Kong and working on an international level, Marina Fairfax Fashion Consultancy’s  aims to connect the international modelling and fashion industry to Hong Kong and Asia. Covering different aspects of the fashion industry from scouting, placement, development, casting and production. 

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Hon Henry Peter David Hives (born 2024)

 _. The Lady Hives, wife of Lord Hives, Matthew Peter Hives, the 3rd Baron, gave birth to a son, the Hon Henry Peter David, 9 March, 2024, a brother for the Hon Florence Harriet Hives, (born 13 July, 2020), and Sybil Dinah.

Matthew Peter Hives was born 25 May, 1971, son of the Hon Peter Anthony Hives [1921-74], by his wife the former Dinah Wilson-North, and is a grandson of the 1st Baron Hives, CH, MBE [1886-1965].

Matthew Hives succeeded his uncle, 8 Oct, 1997, as 3rd Baron Hives. He married in 2017, Dr Davina Meredith, youngest daughter of Mr David Meredith, of Shinrone, Co Offaly and Mrs Sandra Meredith, of Birr, Co Offaly.

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Hon Mikaela Irwin (née Rawlinson) 1941-2024

 The Hon Mikaela Irwin, who died 6 March, 2024, aged 82, was a daughter of the life peer, Lord Rawlinson of Ewell.

She was born Mikaela Rawlinson in 1941, the eldest child of Peter Anthony Grayson Rawlinson, PC, QC (1919-2006), and his first wife the former Haidee Kavanagh. Her father was Conservative MP for Epsom 1955-1978, Solicitor General and later Attorney General, PC (1964), created a life peer in 1978 as Baron Rawlinson of Ewell.

She married in February, 1964 (div 1989), as his first wife, Jonathan Hiatt Dermot Nicolson Irwin (1941-2023), son of the actor John Irwin, by whom she had issue, four sons, Charles (born 1965), Luke (born 1967), Jago (born 1972), and Samson (born 1982).

Her second son, Luke Irwin, is married to Alice Elliot, niece of HM Queen Camilla.

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Richard Keith Campbell-Walter 1941-2024

 Richard Keith Campbell-Walter, who died 1 March, 2024, aged 82, was a scion of the Campbell-Walter of Airds Bay landed gentry family, and descended from the Campbell baronets.

He was born 3 March, 1941, the elder son of Rear Admiral Keith McNeil Campbell-Walter, CB (1904-1976), ADC to King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II, and his wife Frances Henriette Campbell (1904-1997).

Richard's elder sister is the fashion model Fiona Campbell-Walter (born 25 June, 1932), a great beauty, photograped by Cecil Beaton. She appeared on the cover of Life magazine and Vogue, and who married 17 September, 1956 (div 1965), the Baron Hans Heinrich von Thyssen-Bornemisza de Kászon  (1921-2002), the Dutch-born Swiss industrialist, heir to a great German fortune.

Richard Campbell-Walter married 10 August, 1963, (Marion) Clare Minter (born 1942), daughter of Frederick George Minter (1916-1998), and his wife the former Kathleen Patricia Sale (1915-1984), and a granddaughter of Sir Frederick Albert Minter GCVO JP (1887-1976) a civil engineer most notable for his restoration of St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle in the 1930s. 

Campbell-Walter leaves a son, Jamie (born 16 Dec 1972), and two daughters, Lavinia (born 12 July, 1964), and Petrina (born 28 July, 1967).

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Friday, March 15, 2024

Greeves/Hazlerigg engagement

 The engagement was announced 15 March, 2024, between Thomas Charles Peroni (Tom) Greeves (born 1993), son of Toby V. Greeves, of Taplow, Buckinghamshire, and his wife the former Charlotte A. Peroni, and the Hon Viola Camilla Alice Hazlerigg (born 1 July, 1993), third daughter of the late 3rd Baron Hazlerigg (1951-2022), of Noseley Hall, and his first wife Laura Dugdale (born 20 September, 1963), of Notting Hill, London, scion of the Dugdale baronets.

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Thursday, March 14, 2024

Sir Jonah Walker-Smith, 2nd Baronet 1939-2024

 Sir Jonah Walker-Smith, 2nd Baronet, a barrister and sometime a Recorder of the Crown Court, died 9 March, 2024, aged 84.

He was called to the Bar at the Middle Temple, 1963, and appointed a Recorder of the Crown Court in 1980.

John Jonah Walker-Smith was born 6 September, 1939, son of Derek Colclough Walker-Smith, TD, QC, PC (born 13 Apr, 1910), and his wife the former Dorothy Etherton (who died 8 March, 1999), scion of that landed gentry family. His father was Conservative MP for Hertfordshire East 1955-83, Minister of Health, 1957-60, created a baronet, 18 Aug, 1960, and a life peer, as Baron Broxbourne, on quitting the Commons, 21 September, 1983.

Jonah Walker-Smith succeeded to his father's baronetcy, 22 January, 1992. He married 26 Oct, 1974, Aileen Marie Smith, daughter of Joseph Smith, by whom he had issue, a son, Dan, and a daughter, Charmian (born 23 Aug, 1977).

The son, Daniel Derek Walker-Smith (born 26 March, 1980), succeeds as third baronet.

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Wednesday, March 13, 2024

The Baron Marks of Hale: life peerage gazetted

 The life peerage recently conferred upon Stuart Adam Marks, CBE, has been gazetted in the name, style and title of Baron Marks of Hale, of Hale in the County of Greater Manchester.

Lord Marks of Hale is a technology businessman and philanthropist. He is a senior treasurer of and a donor to the Conservative Party, having given £119,500 to the party since 2013. Marks was appointed CBE in the 2019 Birthday Honours for voluntary political service, and was nominated for a life peerage by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

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The Baron Fuller: life peerage gazetted

 The barony awarded for life on Mr John Charles Fuller, OBE, has been gazetted in the name, style and title of Baron Fuller, of Gorleston-on-Sea in the County of Norfolk.

John Fuller is the Leader of North Norfolk Council, a Conservative, and will sit on the Tory benches in the House of Lords.

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Peter Booth's life peerage gazetted

 The life barony recently awarded to Sydney John Peter Booth, has been gazetted in the name, style and title of Baron Booth, of Houghton-le-Spring in the City of Sunderland.

Peter Booth is a design and retail businessman and national chairman of the Conservative National Convention. He will sit on the Tory benches in the House of Lords.

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Life peerage gazetted: Baron Petigas

 The life peerage recently conferred upon Franck Robert Marie Petitgas has been gazetted in the name, style and title of Baron Petigas, of Bosham in the County of West Sussex.

The peer (born 25 February 1961), is a French banker based in the United Kingdom. Formerly head of international at Morgan Stanley, he is a special adviser on business and investment to British prime minister Rishi Sunak and has been a member of the House of Lords since 2024. He was born on 25 February 1961 in Nantes, France, to Victor and Denise Petitgas. He was educated at ESCP Business School in Paris. Lord Petitgas worked at S. G. Warburg & Co. from 1986 before joining the investment bank Morgan Stanley in 1993. In 2005 he was appointed a co-head of European banking, and became the firm's head of investment banking in 2007. He retired from Morgan Stanley in November 2022, but remained a senior adviser to the company.

Petitgas was appointed to a four-year term as a trustee of the Tate Galleries in February 2008. He is a collector of contemporary Latin American art.

In April 2023, British prime minister Rishi Sunak appointed Petitgas a business and investment adviser as Sunak sought to increase business investment and deliver on the government's economic pledges. Petitgas has donated £35,000 to the Conservative Party.

Lord Petitgas was appointed a knight (chevalier) of the Legion of Honour in France's 2012 New Year honours. 

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Baron Shamash, of West Didsbury in the City of Manchester

 The life peerage recently conferred upon Mr Gerald David Shamash, has veen gazetted in the name, style and title of Baron Shamash, of West Didsbury in the City of Manchester. Lord Shamash will sit on the Labour benches in the House of Lords.

Lord Shamash (born 1947), is a lawyer, and has acted as a solicitor for the Labour Party since 1990,  having worked for the party since at least 1983. He advised Labour during the Cash-for-Honours and parliamentary expenses scandals, and acted for public figures affected by the phone-hacking scandal. At the 1979 general election, Shamash stood unsuccessfully as a Labour Party candidate in the safe Conservative seat of Shoreham. He was subsequently elected a member of Barnet London Borough Council at the 1986 and 1990 council elections, representing the ward of Burnt Oak for two terms. Shamash has served as a magistrate in London since 1985. Shamash was nominated by Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer.

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Life peerage conferred on Charles Banner has been gazetted

 The life peerage recently conferred upon Charles Banner, KC, has been gazetted in the name, style and title of Baron Banner, of Barnt Green in the County of Worcestershire, 8 March, 2024.

Lord Banner (born 3 June 1980), is a lawyer, born to Edward Banner and Rachel Banner (née Macfarlane). He read classics (literae humaniores) at Lincoln College, Oxford, graduating in 2002. He then studied for the Postgraduate Diploma in Law at City, University of London, and graduated from King's College London in 2004 after studying EU law. He was called to the bar of England and Wales in 2004 and of Northern Ireland in 2010. Banner was appointed Queen's Counsel in 2019; at the age of 38, he was the youngest barrister to be appointed in that year.

Nominated by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Banner now sits on the Conservative benches, where it was announced that Lord Banner would lead the review into national infrastructure projects to streamline their procedure and cut down legal challenges.

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Sunday, March 10, 2024

The Baron McAvoy, KBE, PC 1943-2024

 The Baron McAvoy, KBE, PC, who died 8 March, 2024, aged 80, was, as Tommy McAvoy, a Labour and Co-operative politician, MP for  for Glasgow Rutherglen from 1987 to 2005, and Rutherglen and Hamilton West from 2005 to 2010.

McAvoy held several positions in the Government Whips' Office in the administrations of Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, serving as Comptroller of the Household from 1997 to 2008 and Treasurer of the Household from 2008 to 2010. He entered the Lords after choosing not to seek re-election to the Commons, where he served as an Opposition Spokesperson for Scotland and Northern Ireland, as well as a Senior Whip. McAvoy held the position of Lords Opposition Chief Whip from 2018 to 2021 after serving as Deputy Chief Whip from 2015 to 2018.

He was sworn of the Privy Council in 2003, appointed KBE in 2022, and created a life peer as Baron McAvoy, of Rutherglen in Lanarkshire, in 2010.   

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The King has filled vacancies in the Order of the Thistle

 His Majesty The King has been graciously pleased to appoint four new members to the Most Ancient & Most Noble Order of the Thistle:

His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh (on the occasion of his 60th birthday). The King's youngest brother is already a Knight of the Garter. In recent years the monarch has bestowed honours on Edward on the occasion of his birthday. The prince was bestowed with the Earldom of Forfar (in the Peerage of the United Kingdom), in 2017, and last year he was created Duke of Edinburgh, but in a break with tradition the peerage was awarded for his life only, and will not be inherited by his son, James. However, Edward’s subsidiary peerages will pass to James on the the Duke of Edinburgh’s death. 

Awarding honours to members of the royal family as birthday presents is an old tradition favoured by Queen Victoria and King George V. In 1928 the king gave the dukedom of Gloucester, Earldom of Ulster and Barony of Culloden to his third son, Prince Henry, on his 28th birthday.

Professor Baroness Black of Strome (born 7 May, 1961), is a Scottish forensic anthropologist, anatomist and academic. She was the Pro Vice-Chancellor for Engagement at Lancaster University and is past President of the Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland. From 2003 to 2018 she was Professor of Anatomy and Forensic Anthropology at the University of Dundee. She is President of St John's College, Oxford.

Baroness Kennedy of The Shaws (born 12 May, 1950), Scottish barrister, broadcaster and Labour member of the Lords, a lifer.

Professor Sir Geoff (Godfrey Henry Oliver) Palmer, Kt (2014), OBE (2003) b in Jamaica 1940, m 1969 Margaret Ann Wood, and has a son and a daughter. He is a Professor Emeritus in the School of Life Sciences at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, Scotland, and a human rights activist.

Appointments to the Order of the Thistle are entirely in the personal gift of the Sovereign.

The Most  Ancient and Most  Noble Order of the Thistle represents the highest honour in Scotland. Revived by King James VII, the Order has a complement of 16 Knights (KT)

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Granddaughter for Earl Spencer

Lady Kitty Spencer, 33 year-old daughter of the Earl Spencer has revealed that she and her husband Michael Lewis, 64, are the parents of a baby daughter. The announcement appeared on Lady Kitty's Instagram account on Mother's Day.

Lady Kitty Eleanor Spencer [born 28 December, 1990], is the eldest daughter of the 9th Earl Spencer [born 20 May, 1964], of Althorp, Northamptonshire, and his first wife the former [Catherine] Victoria Lockwood [born 1964], and is a niece of Diana, Princess of Wales [1961-97]. Lady Kitty wed Michael Lewis at the Villa Aldobrandini, Rome, in June, 2021. 

Michael Lewis [born at Cape Town, South Africa, 27 Jan, 1959], is a son of Stanley Lewis [1933-2009].

The baby picured is, in my estimation, already three or four months old. The infant is the first grandchild for the 9th Earl Spencer and his former wife.

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Saturday, March 09, 2024

The Baroness Moyola (died 2024)

 Baroness Moyola, who died 7 March, 2024, aged 94, was the widow of the late Baron Moyola, life peer, who as James Chichester-Clark served as prime minister of Northern Ireland.

She was Moyra Maud de Burgh Morris, daughter of Brigadier Arthur de Burgh Morris, CBE, DSO, of Carrigans, County Donegal. Her first husband, Captain Thomas Haughton from Cullybackey, was among 27 people killed in Northern Ireland's worst air disaster, the devastating plane crash at Nutts Corner, Northern Ireland, in 1953, in which she was one of only eight survivors. The Vickers Viking aircraft travelling from London struck a pole while landing at the Co Antrim airfield and lost control, crashing into a building. Moyra was pregnant at the time and was seriously injured, suffering a broken neck.

She married 2ndly, in 1959, the then Major James Dawson Chichester-Clark (born 12 Feb, 1923), whose family were seated at Moyola Park, County Londonderry, son of Capt James Lenox-Conyngham Chichester-Clark (1884-1933), and his wife the former Marion Caroline Dehra Chichester (1904-1976), scion of the Marquesses of Donegall. Her husband was Unionist MP for South Derry, and Prime Minister of Northern Ireland 1969-71. He was created Baron Moyola, of Castledawson in the County of Londonderry [U.K. Life Peer] on 20 July 1971, and died 17 May, 2002.

Lady Moyola leaves issue, a son from her first marriage, Michael Thomas Haughton (born 7 June, 1953), and two daughters from her second marriage, the Hon Fiona (born 28 Apr, 1960), and the Hon Tara (born 8 July, 1962).

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Tristram Roger Dymoke Powell 1940-2024

 Tristram Powell, who died 1 March, 2024, aged 83, was head of the landed gentry family of Powell of the Chantry, was a renowned TV director who flourished in the golden age of BBC arts coverage.

Tristram Roger Dymoke Powell was born 25 April, 1940, elder son of Anthony Dymoke Powell, CH, CBE (1905-2000), the writer, by his wife Lady Violet Georgiana Pakenham (1912-2002), daughter of the 5th Earl of Longford, KP, MVO.

He married 25 April, 1968, the artist Virginia Beatrice Lucas (born 1939), daughter of Archibald Julian Lucas (died 1946), by his wife the Hon Madelina Victoria Margaret Grenfell (1904-1982), daughter of Field Marshal the 1st Baron Grenfell, GCB, GCMG, PC (1841-1925), by whom he had issue, a son Archibald John Llewellyn Powell (born 1970), and a daughter, Georgia (born 18 Feb, 1969), wife of the 12th Duke of Beaufort (born  22 May, 1952).

Powell made films with Alan Bennett, Philip Roth and Michael Palin, secured a rare interview with Marcel Duchamp and was painted by Lucian Freud. He was a film, television and occasional stage director who became a great favourite with artists and writers during the heyday of BBC Television arts documentaries in the 1960s and 1970s. Moving on from such series as Omnibus and Arena, he collaborated with leading writers on television and radio dramas and demonstrated a gift for suspense, directing episodes of such series as Law and Order, Foyle’s War, Lynda La Plante’s Trial and Retribution, Judge John Deed and Kavanagh QC.

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Friday, March 08, 2024

Matthew Glyn Francis Hoare (born 2024)

 Hannah Venetia Yusuf-George, wife of Rollo Lupton Hoare [b 1987], scion of that landed family, gave birth to a son, Matthew Glyn Francis, 29 February, 2024, a brother for Michael Llyr George, who was born 25 August, 2021.

Rollo Hoare is a son of the late Michael Rollo Hoare [1944-2001], of Dogmersfield, Hampshire, by his former second wife the former Caroline J. Abele [Mrs Caroline Hoare, of Chelsea].

Hannah Yusuf-George is a daughter of Mr Evan George and Ms Denise Yusuf, of Streatham, London.

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Capt Ian Walter Farquhar, LVO 1945-2024

 Capt Ian Farquhar, LVO, of the Queen's Own Hussars, who died 6 March, 2024, aged 78, at his home on the King's Highgrove estate, was a great friend of the King and Queen and a scion of the Farquhar baronets.

Old Etonian Farquhar, a friend of the King and Queen for many years, and sometime equerry to Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, was a renowned huntsman with the Beaufort Hunt, where he was master for 34 years, and served in the Queen's Own Hussars, a cavalry regiment. He rented a farmhouse on the King's country estate in Gloucestershire.

Walter Ian Farquhar was born 11 December, 1945, the third son of Sir Peter Walter Farquhar, 6th Baronet (1904-1986), and his wife the former Elizabeth Evelyn Hurt (who died 30 Oct, 1983); and he married 18 November, 1972, Pamela Jane (Pammie), daughter of Charles Chafer, a master of the Derwent Hunt, of Pickering, North Yorkshire, by whom he had issue, three daughters, Emma (born 1977), Victoria (born 1979), and Rosanne (known as Rose) (born 1983). The Prince of Wales briefly dates Rose Farquhar in 2000 after he had finished his A-levels at Eton.

'The Captain', as he was known, was appointed a Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order for his time as equerry to the Queen Mother, a distant cousin.

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Thursday, March 07, 2024

Lady Samuel (died 2024)

 Lady Samuel, who died 22 February, 2024, aged 79, was the second wife of Sir John Samuel, 5th Baronet.

The former Elizabeth Ann Curry was born c.1944, a daughter of Major R.G. Curry, and married 1stly, Gianfranco Molinari, of Rome, and married 2ndly, 2 March, 1982, Sir Jon Michael Glen (John) Samuel, 5th Baronet (born 25 January, 1944), son of Sir John Oliver Cecil Samuel, 5th Bt (1916-1962), and his wife the former Charlotte Mary Hoyt (1916-2006).

She leaves two daughters from her first marriage, Sara & Margot.

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Robin Neill Lochnell Malcolm, 19th of Poltalloch, Chief of the Clan Malcolm 1934-2024

Robin Neill Lochnell Malcolm, 19th of Poltalloch and Chief of the Clan Malcolm, who died 2 March, 2024, aged 90, was a second cousin of King Charles III. 

He was born 11 Februuary, 1934, the second but only surviving son of Colonel George Ian Malcolm, 18th of Poltalloch (1903-1976), and his first wife Enid Sybil Gaskell, and a grandson of Sir Ian Zachary Malcolm of Poltalloch, KCMG (1868-1944), who married 30 June, 1902, Jeanne Marie Langtry, MBE (who died 15 Feb, 1964, aged 82), officially the only daughter of Edward Langtry (1847-97), by his wife Emily Charlotte Le Breton (1853-1929) (the actress Lillie Langtry).

His grandmother, Jeanne Marie, was in fact the illegitimate daughter of Lillie Langtry and Prince Louis of Battenberg, GCB, GCVO, KCMG, PC, ADC (1854-1921), who in 1917, was created 1st Marquess of Milford Haven, and was the maternal grandfather of HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh (1921-2021), &c.

Robin Malcolm was educated at Eton, and served as a Second Lieutenant in the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. He married 27 January, 1962, Susan Hillary Phillipa Freeman (1939-2004), younger daughter of Air Chief Marshal Sir Wilfred Rhodes Freeman, 1st Baronet, GCB, DSO, MC (1888-1953),and his second wife Elizabeth Richmond, MBE, by whom he had issue, two sons, Ian and Andrew, and two daughters, Kirsty and Josephine. The eldest son, Ian Rory (born 5 March, 1963), succeeds as 20th of Poltalloch, and hereditary Chief of the Clan Malcolm.

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Wednesday, March 06, 2024

Donald Cameron of Lochiel's life peerage gazetted

The life peerage conferred upon Donald Andrew John Cameron of Lochiel, 28th Chief of the Clan Cameron, has been gazetted in the name, style and title of Baron Cameron of Lochiel, of Achnacarry in the County of Inverness, 4 March, 2024.

Donald Cameron was appointed a Parliamentary Under Secretary of State in the Scotland Office on 9 February 2024.

Lord Cameron of Lochiel graduated from the University of Oxford with a first class honours degree in Modern History. He qualified as an advocate in 2005 and was appointed Standing Junior Counsel to the Scottish Government from 2009 to 2016. He was elected a Member of the Scottish Parliament for the Highlands and Islands region from 2016 to 2024.

Lord Cameron (born 26 November, 1976), is the 28th Chief of the Clan Cameron, son of the late Donald Angus Cameron 27th of Lochiel (1946-2023), and his wife the former Lady Cecil Nennella Therese Kerr (born 22 April, 1948), daughter of the 12th Marquis of Lothian (1922-2004). He is married to Sarah Maclay, and is the father of five.

He took his seat in the House of Lords supported by Lord Cameron of Dillington and Lord Cameron of Chipping Norton.

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Diana Baring (née Crawfurd) 1938-2024

 (Elizabeth) Diana Baring, who died 20 February, 2024, was the wife of Nicholas Baring, of the banking dynasty, scion of the Barons Revelstoke. She was a literary agent.

She was the former Elizabeth Diana Crawfurd, born in 1938, at Peshawar, daughter of Brigadier Charles Hamilton Payne Crawfurd (who died 1943), and his wife Hilda Rosabel Whidborne (1906-59), and married 28 October, 1972, Nicholas Hugo Baring (born 2 January, 1934), sometime managing director of Baring Brothers, son of Francis Anthony Baring (1909-1940), and his wife the Lady Rose Gwendolen Louisa McDonnell, DCVO (1909-1993), Woman of the Bedchamber to Queen Elizabeth II, daughter of the 7th Earl of Antrim (1878-1932). Her husband was a second cousin of Diana, Princess of Wales.

Mrs Baring leaves issue, three sons, Francis (born 4 Sept, 1973), Tobias (born 10 Feb, 1976), and Edward (born 11 Apr, 1979).

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Clementina Ithaca Alice Clifford (born 2024)

 _.Laura Lucy Clifford (nee Hurst-Bannister, b 1983), wife of Christopher Rollo Clifford (born 28 November, 1982), scion of the Barons Clifford of Chudleigh, gave birth to a daughter, Clementina Ithaca Alice, 27 February, 2024, a sister for Leo Richard Hugh, who was b 5 December, 2013, and Hubert Rollo Barnabas Clifford, who was born 5 August, 2016.

Christopher, a scion of the Barons Clifford of Chudleigh, is a son of the Hon Rollo Hugh Clifford (born 15 March, 1954), and his first wife the former Fiona Margaret Palethorpe-Todd (daughter of the film star Richard Todd). He married in 2011, Laura Lucy Hurst-Bannister, daughter of Barnabas Hurst-Bannister (b 1952), and his wife the former Elizabeth Perks (born 1955),

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Tuesday, March 05, 2024

Martha Charlotte Marigold Morant (born 2024)

Lady Antonia Mary Catherine Morant (nee Peel, born 14 December, 1991), wife of Hubert George H.J. Morant (born 26 April, 1993), gave birth to a daughter, Martha Charlotte Marigold, 22 February, 2024.

Hubert, scion of the Morant landed gentry family, is a son of Simon Nicholas Gale Morant (born 19 June, 1943), of Buckland Marsh, Oxfordshire, and his wife the former Jacqueline Susan Rich. 

Lady Antonia is a daughter of the 3rd Earl Peel, GCVO, PC, DL [born 3 Oct, 1947], former Lord Chamberlain to Queen Elizabeth II, whose home is at Gunnerside, Swaledale, North Yorkshire, by his second wife the former Hon Charlotte Clementine Soames [born 17 July, 1954], scion of that landed gentry family, daughter of the life peer, the late Baron Soames, GCMG, GCVO, CH, CBE, PC (1920-87), and a granddaughter maternally of the Rt Hon Sir Winston Churchill, KG, OM, CH, TD, DL, FRS, RA [1874-1965].

Sir Winston and his wife Clementine had a daughter, Marigold, who died in infancy in 1921.

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Harry David Bowes Lyon (born 2024)


Dr Eleanor Bowes-Lyon [nee Harland], wife of Charles David Bowes-Lyon [born 1989], scion of the Earls of Strathmore & Kinghorne, gave birth to a son, Harry David, 3 March, 2024, a brother for Eva Rose, who was born 19 June, 2022.

Charles Bowes-Lyon is a son of David James Bowes-Lyon [born 21 July, 1947], of Heriot, Midlothian, by his wife the former Elizabeth Harriet Colville, CVO [born 3 December, 1952], scion of the Viscounts Colville of Culross, and is descended from the 13th Earl of Strathmore & Kinghorne [1824-1904], who was the paternal grandfather of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother.

Charles's mother, Mrs David Bowes-Lyon, was appointed a Lady-in-waiting to HRH The Princess Royal in 1990. She is a goddaughter of HM Queen Elizabeth II, and daughter of the late Sir John [Jock] Colville [1915-87], Private Secretary to the then Princess Elizabeth 1947-49, and later private secretary to Sir Winston Churchill.

Dr Eleanor L. [Ellie] Bowes-Lyon is a daughter of Mr and Mrs David Harland, of Dundrum, Dublin.

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Son and heir for the Duke & Duchess of Roxburghe

 The Duchess of Roxburghe, wife of the 11th Duke of Roxburghe, of Floors Castle, Kelso, gave birth to a son and heir, Frederick Charles Ian Innes- Ker, 28 February, 2024.

The infant will take the courtesy title Marquis of Bowmont and Cessford.

The Duchess of Roxburghe is the Duke’s second wife and is the former Annabel Green, daughter of Ian Green. She married in September 2021, Charles Robert George Innes-Ker, 11th Duke of Roxburghe (born 18 February, 1981), owner of the magnificent Floors Castle, and a close friend of the Prince of Wales.

The 11th Duke is the elder son of racehorse owner Guy, the 10th Duke (1954-2019), and his first wife the Lady Jane Meriel Grosvenor (born  8 Feb, 1953), daughter of the late 5th Duke of Westminster. The 10th Duke of Roxburghe died of cancer, 29 Aug, 2019.

Army officer the 11th Duke of Roxburghe married firstly, 22 July, 2011 (div 2013) the Hon Charlotte Aitken (born 15 Feb, 1982), daughter of the Conservative politician the 3rd Baron Beaverbrook. The Duke is father of a daughter, Eugenie Isabella, born in 2016 to the fashion designer Morvaid Sahafi. 

Young Frederick is heir to some of Scotland’s senior peerages and the Premier baronetcy in the Nova Scotia creation. He is destined to be 12th Duke of Roxburghe (Peerage of Scotland cr 1707), 12th Marquis of Bowmont & Cessford (cr Scot 1707), 16th Earl of Roxburghe (cr Scot, 1616), 12th Earl of Kelso (Scot 1707), 7th Earl Innes (cr UK 1837), 12th Viscount Broxmouth (Scot, 1707), 16th Lord Roxburghe (cr Scot1600), 16th Lord Ker of Cessford & Cavertoun (Scot, cr 1616), 12th Lord Ker of Cessford & Overton (Scot 1707), and 13th Baronet (cr 1625).

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Monday, March 04, 2024

Ingilby/Chitty engagement

 The engagement has been announced between Richard Joseph Frederick Ingilby (born 9 Dec, 1994), fourth son of Sir Thomas Colvin William Ingilby, 6th Baronet (born 17 Jul 1955), of Ripley Castle, near Harrogate, and Lady Ingilby (nee Emma Clare Roebuck Thompson), and Miss Laura Chitty.

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Friday, March 01, 2024

The Baroness Henig, CBE, DL 1943-2024

 Baroness Henig, CBE, DL, who died 29 February, 2024, aged 80, was an academic historian and a Labour party politician.

Ruth Beatrice Henig, Baroness Henig (née Munzer) was born 10 November 1943. Her parents were Jewish refugees who came to the United Kingdom from the Netherlands in 1940. Henig was married in 1966 to fellow academic Stanley Henig, who shortly afterward became a Labour member of Parliament. They had two children and divorced in 1993. Their son, Simon Henig, is the former leader of the Durham County Council, former chair of the North East Combined Authority, and a lecturer in politics at Sunderland University. She remarried in 1994 to Jack Johnstone.

Henig was educated at Wyggeston Girls Grammar School in Leicester, and at Bedford College, London, where she graduated in 1965 with a B.A. in history. She was awarded a PhD in history from Lancaster University in 1978, where she was a lecturer in Modern European History.

Henig served as Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities from 1997 to 2000, and in April 2006, she was one of six people to receive the first Honorary Fellowships of Lancaster University.

She was appointed CBE in 2000, and on 8 June 2004 was raised to the peerage for life as Baroness Henig, of Lancaster in the County of Lancashire. She became a deputy speaker of the House of Lords in 2018.

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Thursday, February 29, 2024

The Baron Cormack, DL, FSA, FRHistS 1939-2024

 The Lord Cormack, a Conservative life peer, politician, historian, journalist and author, died 25 February, 2024. He was 84.

Patrick Thomas Cormack, served as an MP for 40 years, from 1970 to 2010, as Tory MP for Cannock at the 1970 general election. Following boundary changes he was elected for South West Staffordshire in 1974, renamed South Staffordshire in 1983. He was elected chair of the Northern Ireland Affairs Select Committee in 2005. He was also twice a candidate for the Speakership of the House of Commons. After standing down from the House of Commons in 2010, he served as an active life peer in the House of Lords.

Prior to 1970, Cormack was a member of the Bow Group and the Conservative Monday Club, resigning from both at the end of 1971.

Cormack took an active interest in historical issues, particularly those related to English Heritage. He was also a knowledgeable Parliamentary historian. He wrote many books on subjects ranging from the history of Parliament, British castles, English cathedrals, and a book on William Wilberforce.

Lord Cormack was a trustee of the Churches Preservation Trust from 1972 until his death. He was a council member of British Archaeology since 1979, and was also a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Glaziers and Painters of Glass for the same length of time. From 1983 to 1993, he was Trustee on the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust. He was a consultant and adviser to FIRST, an international affairs organisation, since 1985. He was a vice-president of the Royal Stuart Society and the Heritage Crafts Association. A committed Christian, Cormack was a rector's warden at Parliament's parish church, St Margaret's, Westminster, from 1978 to 1990. He served as president of the British Association of Friends of Museums from 2023 until his death in 2024. He was a longstanding Vice President of the National Churches Trust, and was President of the Prayer Book Society for many years.

Cormack was created a life peer on 18 December 2010, as Baron Cormack, of Enville in the County of Staffordshire. He sat on the Conservative benches in the House of Lords. Cormack opposed the Coalition's plans to reform the House of Lords, speaking out against them numerous times in the chamber.

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Wednesday, February 28, 2024

Mary Grizel Sackville Hamilton (nee Boyle) 1924-2024

 (Mary) Grizel Sackville Hamilton, who died at York, 9 February, 2024, aged 99, was a scion of the Boyle Earls of Glasgow.

Mary Grizel Boyle was born 2 November, 1924, the elder daughter of Colonel Cecil Alexander Boyle DSO (1888-1941), and his wife the former Gladys Mary Benn (who died 1976); and married 10 December, 1947, Lieutenant-Colonel James Berkeley Sackville-Hamilton (1923-2014), of Acklam Grangle, near Malton, scion of the Viscounts Boyne, son of Colonel Sackville William Sackville Hamilton (1882-1956), and his wife the former Margaret Dowell Hester (died 1993), by whom she had issue, three sons, Charles, Andrew and Nigel, and a daughter, Patricia.

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Iona, Duchess of Argyll 1945-2024

 Iona, Duchess of Argyll, widow of the 12th duke, and former chatelaine of Inveraray Castle, died 22 February, 2024, aged 78.

For almost 30 years she was chatelaine of the Scottish ancestral seat of the Campbells, and presided over the restoration of much of the castle’s interior after a catastrophic fire in the 1970s. The Gothic-revival mansion is set within 60,000 acres of moorland and farmland.

The society beauty was born 22 June, 1945, as Iona Mary Colquhoun, the only daughter of Sir Ivar Colquhoun of Luss, 8th Baronet (1916-2008), Scottish landowner, and his wife the former Kathleen Nimmo Duncan (who died 17 Apr, 2007); and she married 4 July, 1964, Ian Campbell, styled Marquess of Lorne (born 28 Aug, 1937),  son of the 11th Duke of Argyll (1903-73) and his second wife, Louise Hollingsworth Morris Clews (who died 10 Feb, 1970). The 11th duke’s third wife was the notorious Margaret Whigham, from whom he was divorced in 1963.

Her husband succeeded his father, 7 April, 1973, as 12th Duke of Argyll. He died of complications following surgery, 21 April, 2001.

The duchess leaves issue, a son Torquhil, the 13th Duke of Argyll (born 29 May, 1968), who is married to Eleanor Cadbury, and a daughter, Lady Louise Burrell (born 26 October, 1972).

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