Sir George William Langham Christie, CH 1934-2014

_. Sir George William Langham Christie, CH, Knt, head of the landed gentry family, of Glyndebourne, died 7 May, 2014. He was 79.

The 'Prince of Glyndebourne'  who inherited the country opera house near Lewes, Sussex, & raised millions of pounds to finance development.

He was born 31 Dec, 1934 and educated at Eton, the son of John Christie, CH, MC (1882-1962), by his wife the former Grace Audrey Louisa St John-Mildmay, dau of the Rev Sir Aubrey St John-Mildmay, 10th Baronet.

Married 8 Aug, 1958, Patricia Mary, daughter of Ivor Percy Nicholson and Mrs Alan McGaw (see Tate, Bt), by whom he had issue, three sons, inc Hector (b 1961), & Augustus (b 1963), and one daughter, Patricia Louise, (b 1966).

-=-

Williamson/Rich engagement

_. The engagement was announced 8 May, 2014, between the Hon Guthrie John Williamson (b 14 April, 1975), scion of the Barons Forres (Baron, cr UK, 1922), second son of the 4th Baron Forres (b 16 May, 1946), of Panuara, New South Wales, by his wife the former Margaret Ann Mallam, & Lucinda L. Rich, elder daughter of Mr & Mrs Graham Rich, of Manly, New South Wales, Australia.

-=-

Obituary: The Earl of Iveagh

Patricia Mary Thicknesse c1921-2014

_. Patricia Mary Thicknesse, who died 26 April, 2014, aged 92, was the widow of Brig Ralph Nevill THICKNESSE (1902-74, of that gentry family formerly of Beech Hill) . She was the former Patricia Mary Keene, daughter of Rupert Keene, of Leamington. She has issue, 1 dau, Felicity Anne Brigid, b 1948, who married Patrick Everard (1943-2011), scion of the Everard Baronet, and has issue. Funeral at St Peter's Roman Catholic Church, Winchester, Hampshire, Friday 16 May, 2014.

-=-

Sir David Wilson, 3rd Baronet 1928-2014

_. Sir David Wilson, 3rd Baronet (Bt, UK, cr 1920), died 28 April, 2014. He was 85.

He was born 30 Oct, 1928, son of Sir John Mitchell Harvey Wilson, 2nd Bt, KCVO (1898-1975), by his wife the former Mary Elizabeth Richards, and succeeded to the baronetcy on his father's death, 1975.

Married 25 Feb, 1955, Eva Margareta, daughter of Advokat Tor Lindell, of Malmo, Sweden, by whom he had issue, 2 sons and 1 daughter. The baronetcy is inherited by the elder son, Thomas David, born 6 January, 1959.

-=-

James William Twisleton-Wykeham-Fiennes 1964-2014

__. James William Twisleton-Wykeham-Fiennes, who died tragically, 23 April, 2014, aged 49, was a scion of the Barons Saye & Sele (Baron, England cr 1447, and 1603). He was born in 1964, second son of Very Rev the Hon Oliver Twisleton-Wykeham-Fiennes (1926-2011), sometime Dean of Lincoln (brother of the 21st Baron), by his wife the former Juliet Heaton. Husband of Caroline and father of Georgina and Hector. 

-=-

Sir Timothy Brooks, KCVO 1929-2014

_. Sir Timothy Gerald Martin Brooks, KCVO, Lord Lieutenant of Leicestershire, 1989-2003, died 2 May, 2014, aged 85. He was a scion of the Barons Crawshaw (Baron UK, cr 1892).

He was born in 1929, a grandsonn of the 2nd Baron, son of the Hon Herbert William Brooks 1890-1974, by his wife the former Hilda Muriel Steel (d 1967), and married 1951, the Hon Ann Fremantle (b 1930), a dau of the 4th Baron Cottesloe (Baron, UK, cr 1874), by whom he had issue.

Private funeral at Wistow, Leicestershire.

Hon Mary Birkbeck 1926-2014

__.The Hon Mary Birkbeck, who died 24 April, 2014, aged 88, was a scion of the Barons Somerleyton (Baron UK, cr 1916). 

She was born 3 Feb, 1926, the only daughter of Savile Crossley, 2nd Baron Somerleton (1889-1959), of Somerleyton Hall, Lowestoft, Suffolk, by his wife the former Bridget Hoare.

She married 7 July, 1950, Maj William Birkbeck, DL, Coldstream Guards (b  13  Apr 1922-   ), of Bainton House, Stamford, Lincs, scion of that landed gentry family, third son of Maj Henry Birkbeck (1885-1956), by his wife the former Sybil Harley (d 1948), scion of that landed family, by whom she had issue, Anthony, Victoria, Priscilla and Rosetta. 

Thanksgiving Service at Barnack Church,  near Stamford, 6 June, 2014.

-=-

Sybil Lady Wrey (c1922-2014)

_. Sybil Lady Wrey, who died 29 April, 2014, aged 90, was the widow of Sir (Castel Richard) Bourchier Wrey, 14th Baronet (1903-91) (Bt, England, cr 1628).

She was the former Sybil Mabel Alice Lubke, dau of Dr George Lubke, of Durban, South Africa, and married Bourchier Wrey, 15 March, 1947. She was widowed in 1991, and leaves a son, Sir George, the 15th Baronet (b 1948). Another son(Edward) Sherard Wrey died in 2007.

Cremation in Durban, South Africa. A Memorial Service is to take place at Tawstock, Devon at a later date.

-=-

Sir William Peter Curtis, 7th Baronet 1935-2014

_. Sir William Peter (Billy) Curtis, 7th Baronet (Bt, cr UK 1802), died 25 April, 2014. He was 79.

He was born 9 April, 1935, only son of Sir Peter Curtis, 6th Baronet (1907-76), by his wife the former Joan Margaret Nicholson (scion of the Nicholson, of Winterbourne, Bts), and succeeded his father in 1976. 

Unm. Served 16th/5th Lancers, &c.

Succeeded by his kinsman, Edward Philip Curtis, who was b 25 June, 1940.

Funeral at All Saints Church, East Meon, Hampshire, 9 May, 2014.

-=-

Sir Jocelyn Charles Roden Buxton, 7th Baronet VRD 1924-2014

_. Sir Jocelyn Charles Roden Buxton, 7th Baronet, VRD, died 25 April, 2014,. He was 89.

He was born 8 Aug, 1924, son of Capt Roden Henry Victor BUXTON CBE RN (1890-1970, 2nd s of 4th Bt) and succeeded his cousin in 1996. He married, 1960, Ann Frances JP dau of Frank SMITHERMAN MBE and had 3 daus,. He is succeeded in the title by his nephew, Crispin Charles Gerard, who was born in 1958. Resident at Rodwell House, Loddon, Norfolk for many years __.

Service of Thanksgiving at Holy Trinity Church, Loddon, Norfolk on Friday 16 May, 2014.

-=-

Sir John Michael Robert Best-Shaw, 10th Baronet 1924-2014

_. Sir John Best-Shaw, 10th Baronet died 22 April, 2014. He was 89.

He was born 28 Sept, 1924, son of Commander Sir John Best-Shaw 9th Baronet (1895-1984), by his wife the former Elizabeth Mary Theodora Hughes, daughter of Sir Robert Hughes, 12th Baronet. He succeeded to the baronetcy (Bt, England, cr 1665) on his father's demise in 1984.

He married 13 Feb, 1960, Jane Gordon Guthrie, by whom he had issue, three sons (1 deceased), Thomas and Samuel, and a daughter, Lucy.

The baronetcy now passes to his eldest surv son, Thomas, who was born 7 March, 1965.

Thanksgiving Service to take place 20 June, 2014, at St Mary's Church, West Malling.

-=-

Carter/Warrender engagement

_. The engagement was announced 25 Apr, 2014, between Samuel M. Carter, son of the late Mr Peter Carter, and Mrs Carter, of Barcombe, East Sussex, & Alice Julian Warrender (born 1983), scion of  the Barons Bruntisfield (Baron, UK, cr 1942), only dau of the Hon Jonathan James Warrender (born 1954), of Minuntion, Ayrshire, by his wife the former Fiona Mary Laing (descended from the Earls of Stair).

-=-

Benson/Callander engagement

_. The engagement was announced 25 April, 2014, between Marcus D. Benson, son of Mr Cliff Benson, of Sacriston, County Durham, and the late Mrs Sandra Benson, & Emma  Louise Callander (born 1981), younger daughter of Richard Callander, of Patthhead, Midlothian, by his wife the former Lady Mary Pamela Douglas (born 1950), scion of the Earls of Morton (Peerage of Scotland cr 1458), dau of the 21st Earl of Morton.

-=-

Mark Roland Shand 1951-2014

_. Mark Roland Shand, who died following an accident in New York, 23 April, 2014, aged 62, was the only brother of HRH The Duchess of Cornwall.

He was born 28 June, 1951, the only son of Maj Bruce Middleton Hope Shand, MC, by his wife the former Hon Rosalind Maud Cubitt (1921-1994), daughter of the 3rd Baron Ashcombe (Peerage of the UK, cr 1892).

He married 1990 (div) Clio, dau of Edward Rene David Goldsmith, by whom he had a daughter, Ayesha.

The funeral took place at Holy Trinity Church, Stourpaine, Dorset, 1 May, 2014.

-=-

Sarah Lady Ainsworth, widow of the 4th Baronet

__. Sarah Lady Ainsworth, who died 18 April, 2014, aged 78, was the widow of Sir (Thomas) David Ainsworth, 4th Baronet (1926-99) (Bt, UK, cr 1916). She was the former Sarah Mary Walford, daughter of Lt-Col Hugh Carr Walford, and married Sir David in 1957. She leaves issue, inc Sir Anthony, the 5th Baronet.

Funeral, 7 May, at St Mary's, Wootton, Oxfordshire.

-=-

Sir Gilbert Heathcote, 9th Baronet, CBE 1913-2014

. Brigadier Sir Gilbert Heathcote, CBE, who died 15th April, 2014, aged 100,  was 9th Baronet (of London, Bt, GB, 1733). Born 21 Sept, 1913, he was the only son of Lt-Col Robert Evelyn Manners Heathcote, DSO, by his wife the former Edith Millicent Walton, and succeeded to the baronetcy on the demise of his kinsman, the 3rd Earl of Ancaster, 29 Mar, 1983; married 1stly 1939 (div 1984), Patricia Margaret Leslie; married 2ndly, 1984, Mrs Ann Mellor, widow of Brig James Mellor, and dau of Wing~Commander J.A. Hatton. He leaves a son and a dau from his 1st marriage. The son, Mark Simon Robert, born 1 March, 1941, inherits the baronetcy. Thanksgiving Service at All Hallows, Tillington, Petworth, West Sussex, Thurs 8 May.

-=-

(William Edward) Peter Louis Drummond-Murray 1929-2014

_. (William Edward) Peter Louis Drummond-Murray of Mastrick, who died at his home 13 April, 2014, aged 84, was head of the Drummond-Murray landed family, formerly of Matrick, Aberdeenshire, and descended from the Earls of Perth (Peerage of Scotland, cr 1605). He served as Slains Pursuivant of Arms for many years from 1981-2009, and in this role served the Earl of Erroll, hereditary Lord High Constable of Scotland and Chief of the Clan Hay, as his personal officer of arms for almost 3 decades.

He was born 24 Nov, 1929, elder son of Edward John Drummond-Murray (1907-  ) by his 1st wife the delightfully named Eulaia Ilfdefonsa Heaven (scion of that landed family); married 12 Jul,1954, the Hon Barbara Mary Hope, a daughter of the 2nd Baron Rankeillour (Baron, Peerage of the UK, cr 1932), 1897-1958, by his wife the former Grizel Gilmour (scion of the Gilmour Baronets), by whom he had issue, 3 sons and 1 daughter.

Requiem Mass at St Mary's Roman Catholic Cathedral, Edinburgh, Tues 22 Apr, 2014.

-=-

Ivor Charles Robert Spencer-Churchill (b 2014)

_.Claire Gillian Spencer-Churchill (nee Troughton, b 1980), wife of Dominic Albert Charles Spencer-Churchill (b 1979), scion of the Dukes of Marlborough, gave birth to a son, Ivor Charles Robert, 30 March, 2014, a brother for Martha Melissa, who was b 18 May, 2012.

Dominic is the son of Lord Charles Spencer-Churchill (b 1940), by his 2nd wife the former Elizabeth Jane Wyndham, scion of the Barons Egremont, & Claire is a dau of Mr Jamie Troughton, by his wife the former Sarah Hope Campbell-Preston (b 1951), dau of Lt-Col Robert Modan Thorne Campbell-Preston, OBE, MC, JP (1909-1996), of that landed family, by his wife the Hon Angela Pearson, scion of the Viscounts Cowdray, &c. 

-==- 

Davies-Jones/Inskip engagement

_. The engagement has been announced between Robert Henry M. Davies-Jones (b 1979), son of  Capt Peter Michael Davies-Jones,of Langley on Tyne, Northumberland,  by his wife the former Gentian Gubbins-Mounsey-Heysham (b 1946), & Victoria Ann Inskip (b 1983), descended from a brother of the 1st Viscount Caldecote, daughter of Mr Owen Hampden Inskip (b 24 May, 1953), by his wife the Hon Clare Elizabeth Anne Inskip (nee Noel-Buxton), daughter of the 2nd Baron Noel-Buxton (1917-80) (Baron UK, cr 1930), by his 2nd wife, the former Margaret Elizabeth Cloete, dau of Stephanus Abraham Cloete, &c.

-=-

Hon Rafe Thomas Townshend (born 2014)

Octavia Christina Townshend, styled Viscountess Raynham (born 1980), wife of Thomas Charles Townshend, styled Viscount Raynham (b 2 Nov 1977), gave birth to a son and heir, the Hon Rafe Thomas Townshend, 7 April, 2014.

Viscount Raynham is the son and heir of the 8th Marquess Townshend (born 26 September, 1945) of Raynham Hall, Fakenham, Norfolk, by his late wife, the former Hermione Ponsonby (1945-1985), scion of the Earls of Bessborough.

Viscountess Raynham is the daughter of Christopher David Legge (born 1943), and his wife the former Sarah Gilmour Marshall (born 1948), daughter of Major Philip Donald Howitt Marshall (1915-1996), and his wife the former Doris Pamela Yvonne Gilmour (1914-2008), scion of the Gilmour baronets.

-==-

Rory Ivar Colquhoun (b 2014)

_. Charlotte J. Colquhoun (nee Murphy), wife of Patrick Colquhoun of Luss, yr, scion of that family of baronets, gave birth to a son, Rory Ivar, 28 March, 2014, a brother for Arthur Stewart, who was b 19 July, 2012. 

Patrick is the eldest son of Sir Malcolm Colquhoun of Luss, Bt, and Mrs Susan Clark, of Princeton, New Jersey, USA, and Charlotte is a daughter of Mr and Mrs Christopher Murphy, of Horsford, Norfolk. 

-==-  

Hon Elisabeth Joan Campbell 1919-2014

_. The Hon Elisabeth Joan Campbell, who died 6 April, 2014, aged 94, was a scion of the Barons Norton (Baron, UK, cr 1878).

She was born Elisabeth Joan Adderley, 12 June, 1919, second daughter of Hubert, 6th Baron Norton (1886-1961), by his wife the former Elizabeth Birkbeck, scion of that landed family; married 1943, Prof (Alexander) Colin Patton Campbell, MB, ChB, MSc, FRCP, by whom she had issue.

Funeral at Holy Trinity Church, Ascott under Wychwood, Tuesday Apr 15.

-=-

Baroness Killearn 1955-2014

_. The Baroness Killearn, who died 4 April, 2014, aged circa 58, was the wife of Victor Miles George Aldous Lampson, 3rd Baron Killearn (b 9 Sept, 1941) (Peerage of the UK, cr 1941).

She was the former Melita Amaryllis Pamela Astrid Morgan-Giles, a daughter of Rear-Admiral Sir Morgan Morgan-Giles, DSO, OBE, GM, MP (1914-2013), by his 1st wife the former Pamela Bushell (d 1966), and married the then Victor Lampson in 1971. Her husband succeeded to the peerage on the demise of his half~brother, in July, 1996. She is survived by him and children, Miles, heir to the peerage, Alexander, Pamela and Miranda.

Beatrix Molesworth 1917-2014

_. Miss Beatrix Molesworth, who died 27 March, 2014, aged 96, was a scion of the Viscounts Molesworth (Visc, Peerage of Ireland, cr 1716), and a kinswoman of HRH The Countess of Wessex.

Miss Molesworth, of Galphay, Ripon, North Yorkshire, was a lecturer at Ripon, later Ripon and York St John, and advised on the conservation of Fountains Abbey, and Studley.

She was born in 1917, daughter of Colonel Francis Crofton Molesworth (1880-1955), of the Royal Engineers, by his wife the former Eileen Denny (d 1951), scion of the Denny Baronets.

-=-

Son for Prince & Princess Nicholas Frankopan

_. "Princess"_Natasha Frankopan (nee Oppenheim), wife of _Prince_Nicholas Frankopan, gave birth to a son, Bartol Ford Louis Oppenheim, 2 April, 2014, a brother for or Tekia Luciana Oppenheim, who was b 18 September, 2009, and for Conrad Nicholas Oppenheim, who was b 25 June, 2012. 

Nicholas Frankopan is a brother of Lady Nicholas Windsor.

--==--  

Hon Brook George Percival Weld Forester (b 2014)

_. The Baroness Forester (nee Lydia Anne C. Baugh, born 1982), wife of (Charles Richard) George Weld-Forester, 9th Baron Forester (b 8 July, 1975) (Baron, UK, cr 1821), gave birth to a son, Brook George Percival Weld, 29 March, 2014.

Lord Forester is the son of the late 8th Baron Forester (b 20 Feb 1938; d 4 Feb 2004), of Willey Park, Shropshire, by his wife the former Hon (Elizabeth) Catherine Lyttelton (b 1946), dau of the 10th Viscount Cobham; & Lady Forester is a dau of Mr George Baugh, of Glebe House, Meole Brace, Shrewsbury, by his wife the former ____ Rayska. 

=== 

Larjo/Kindersley engagement

__. The engagement was announced 7 Apr, 2014, between Mr Lauri Larjo, of Helsinki, Finland, and the Hon Rebecca Kindersley (b 26 March, 1985), of Toronto, Canada, scion of the Barons Kindersley (B, UK, cr 1941) only daughter of the 4th Baron Kindersley (b 11 March, 1955), by his wife the former Sarah Warde.

-=-

+ Patricia Ann Merlyn Rodney

_. (Patricia) Ann Merlyn Rodney, who died at her home 29 March, 2014,  was the widow of Cdr Nigel Robert Harley Rodney, RN (1917-92), scion of the Barons Rodney (Baron, GB, cr 1782).

She was born Patricia Ann Merlyn Ashburner, daughter of Lt-Col Harley Wentworth Ashburner, DSO, and married Nigel Rodney, in 1946. She leaves four children, Nicholas (b 1947), Christopher (b 1957), Julia (b 1951) and Emma (b 1952).

The elder son is third cousin and heir pres to the 11th Baron Rodney, who was born in 1999.

-=-

Budgett/Meade marriage

_.TRH The Duke & Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry of Wales attended the marriage, 29 March, 2014, at St Mary's Church, Marshfield, Gloucestershire, between Charles George A. Budgett (b 1981), son of Mr James Budgett, of Kirtlington, Oxfordshire, by his wife the former Rosemary Delme-Murray, descended from the Dukes of Atholl & Lucy Margaret Meade (b 1985), daughter of Richard John Hannay Meade, OBE (b 4 Dec 1936), of West Littleton, Wiltshire, by his wife the former Angela Dorothy Farquhar (b 11 Jan, 1948), scion of the Farquhar Baronets (Bt, GB, cr 1796).

-=-

Tollemache/Holl engagement

_. The engagement was announced 28 March, 2014, between Lyonel John Peter Tollemache (b 1973), scion of the Tollemache Barons (Baron, UK, cr 1876), elder son of the the Hon Michael David Douglas Tollemache (b 1944), of London, and Mrs Theresa Tollemache (nee Bowring), of Blackheath, Suffolk, & Jennifer Mary Holl (b 1980), daughter of Mr Jonathan Holl, of Farnham, Surrey, and Mrs Jonathan Holl  (nee Burne).

-=-

Kitty Mani Anne Jellicoe (b 2014)

_. Katharine L. Jellicoe (nee Napier) wife of the  the Hon. John Philip Jellicoe (b. 1966), scion of the Earls Jellicoe (Peerage of the UK, cr 1925), gave birth to a daughter, Kitty Mani Anne, 1st March, 2014.

Johnny Jellicoe is a son of the late 2nd Earl Jellicoe, KBE (1918-2007), by his second wife, the former Philippa Dunne, scion of that landed family, and is a half~brother of the current 3rd Earl.

Katharine Jellicoe  is a daughter of Maj. Andrew Napier, of Syleham, Suffolk, and the late Mrs Napier.

--=--

Robert Harral Marsham 1946-2014

_. Robert Harral Marsjam, who died 22 March, 2014, aged 67, was a scion of the Earls of Romney (Earl, UK, cr 1801). He was born 13 Aug, 1946, second son of Peter Marsham (b 1912-), by his wife the former Margaret Harral, dau of Benjamin Harral, and was descended from a younger son of the 3rd Earl of Romney. He was unm.  Funeral at All Saints Church, Coddington, near Newark~on~Trent, Nottinghamshire, 5 Apr.

-=-

Moxon/Alvares engagement

_. The engagement was announced 20 March, 2014, between Christian Frederick Moxon (b 1974), youngest son of the late John Frederick Moxon by his wife the Hon Jennifer Julia Fellowes (b 1940), of Abbots Ripton, Cambridgeshire, scion of the Barons De Ramsey (Baron, UK, cr 1887), and Ahalya Alvares, eldest dau of Jeevan Alvares and Rajini Furtado, of Bangalore, India.

Christian Moxon is a nephew of the 4th Baron De Ramsey.

-=-

Berridge/Dent engagement

__. The engagement was announced 20 March, 2014, between Charles D.M. Berridge, son of Mr & Mrs Patrick Berridge, of Carrigbyrne, Co Wexford, and Annabel Dent, scion of that landed family, daughter of ( John) Patrick Dent, of Hunsingore, North Yorkshire, by his wife the former Hon Diana Mary TAYLOR (b 1953), younger dau of the Baron INGROW TD OBE (1917-2002, LP cr 1982) and Barbara Mary (d 1998, dau of Percy Wright STIRK of Crestmead, Keighley). 

-=-

Willis Fleming/Pitel engagement

_.  The engagement was announced 20 March, 2014, between Thomas Willis Fleming (b 28 Dec, 1958), scion of that landed family, son of the late John Valentine 'Roo' Willis Fleming (1925-2009) by his wife the former Angela Jean St John Webb-Carter, now of London, & Siobhan L. Pitel, second daughter of the late Michael Pitel and Mrs Sally Pitel, of London.

--==--

Susan Duchess of Montrose c1928-2014

__.Susan Duchess of Montrose, who died 13 March, 2014, aged 85, was the widow of James Angus Graham, 7th Duke of Montrose (1907-92) (Peerage of  Scotland, cr 1707).

She was the former Susan Mary Jocelyn Semple, daughter of Dr John Mervyl Semple, of Gilgil, Kenya, by his wife the former Anne Gladys Steen, and married firstly, Michael Raleigh Gibbs (dec.,), of Nakuru, Kenya; married 2ndly, 17 Apr, 1952, as his 2nd wife, James Angus Graham, styled Marquess of Graham, who succeeded his father as 7th Duke of Montrose, 20 Jan, 1954. Her husband died 10 Feb, 1992.

The Duchess is survived by 5 children, one from the first marriage, and by two sons and two daughters from the second marriage. 

Memorial Service at Cleish Parish Church, near Kinross, Saturday 29 March, after a family burial on 28 March.

-=-

Henrietta (Rita) Baroness Drumalbyn c1914-2014

_. Henrietta (Rita), Baroness Drumalbyn, who died 12 March, 2014, in her 100th year, was the second wife, and widow of the 1st (and last) Baron Drumalbyn (1908-87) (Peerage of the UK, cr 1963). As Mrs Henrietta (Rita) Edmiston, widow of Harry Edmiston, she wed the peer as his 2nd wife in 1985. She is survived by 2 sons from her 1st marriage.

-=-

Sir Mark Edward Mortimer Bowen, 5th Baronet 1958-2014

_. Sir Mark Edward Mortimer Bowen, 5th Baronet, died 27 February, 2014, aged 55.  He was born 17 Oct, 1958, son of Sir Thomas Frederic Charles Bowen, 4th Baronet (1921-89) (Bt, UK, cr 1921), by his wife the former Jill Claude Evans, and succeeded to the baronetcy on his father's death, 1989'  married 1983, Kerry Tessa Moriarty, dau of Michael John Moriarty, by whom he had issue,  one son and one daughter. The son, George Edward Michael Bowen, born 27 Dec, 1987, succeeds as 6th baronet.

The funeral is at St Lawrence Church,  Cucklington, Somerset, 28 March. A memorial service takes place at All Hallows by the Tower, London, 7 May.

-=-

Rt Hon Tony Benn (2nd Viscount Stansgate disclaimed) 1925-2014

_.The Rt Hon Anthony Neil Wedgwood Benn, former Lab MP and stalwart of the Left, who died 14 March, 2014, aged 88, was formerly the 2nd Viscount Stansgate (Peerage of the UK, cr 1942), but disclaimed the peerage for life in 1963.

He was born 3 Apr, 1925, second son of William Wedgwood Benn (1877-1960), Liberal MP and Secretary of State for India, by his wife the former Margaret Eadie Holmes (who died in 1991), dau of Daniel Turner Holmes, MP.

William Wedgwood Benn was created Viscount Stansgate in 1942, and in 1944 his elder son, Ft-Lt Michael Wedgwood Benn, DFC, was killed in action.

Anthony Wedgwood Benn was Labour MP for Bristol South East, 1950-60, & lost his seat in the Commons on succeeding to his father's peerage, 17 Nov, 1960.

Tony Benn petitioned to give up his viscountcy & remain in the House of Commons but failed. However, his campaigning resulted in the 1963 Peerage Act which enabled peers to disclaim their titles for life.

Tony Benn disclaimed his peerage for life, 31 July, 1963, and was returned to his seat in at Bristol SE, in 1963 and held that constituency for 20 years to 1983. He was then Lab MP for Chesterfield from 1984 to 2001.

Benn was Postmaster-General in Harold Wilson's administration 1964-68, Minister of Technology, 1966-70, Minister of Power 1969-70, Chairman of the Labour Party 1970-72, Secretary of State for Industry and Minister for Posts and Telecommunications, 1974-75, and Secretary of State for Energy 1975-79.

He was sworn of the Privy Council in 1964.

Benn married 17 June, 1949, Caroline Middleton De Camp (who d. 22 Nov, 2000), dau of James Milton De Camp, of Cincinnati, Ohio, USA, by who he had issue, three sons, Stephen, Hilary and Joshua, and one daughter, Melissa.

Under the terms of the 1963 Peerage Act the eldest son, Stephen, who was born 21 Aug, 1951, now succeeds as 3rd Viscount Stansgate.

The funeral is ti take place at St Margaret's Church, Westminster, Thursday 17 March.

-=-

Sir Thomas Willes Chitty, 3rd Baronet 1926-2014

_. Sir Thomas Willes Chitty, 3rd Baronet (Bt UK, cr 1924), died 7 March, 2014. He was 88.

Sir Thomas was an author (as Thomas Hinde), and his books include "For the Good of the Company", "Mr Nicholas", "Happy As Larry", "A Place Like Home", "The Cage", "Games of Chance", "The Day the Call Came", &c.

He was born 2 March, 1926, son of Sir Thomas Henry Willes Chitty, 2nd Baronet (1891-1955), by his wife the former Ethel Constance Gladstone, scion of that landed family; succeeded to the baronetcy on his father's death, 26 Feb, 1955. He married 23 Aug, 1951, Susan Elspeth Russel Glossop, writer, whose birth name was Hopkinson, 

daughter of an unmarried mother, the writer, Antonia White, and of Rudolph Glossop, by whom he had issue, a son, and two daughters. The baronetcy passes to his son, Andrew Edward Willes Chitty, who was born 20 Nov, 1953.

-=-

Thomas Riviere Bland 1921-2014

_. Thomas Riviere Bland, MC, late the Scots Guards, died 5 February, 2014, aged 92, He was born at Godstone, Surrey, 8 Feb, 1921, son of Charles Riviere Bland,and educated at Eton. Married 1stly, 23 Nov 1946 (div 1961 ) the Hon Katherine Bruce (b 27 Nov 1922), daughter of the 7th Lord Balfour of Burleigh (1883-1967), by his wife the former Violet Done ( d 1976), by whom he had issue, a son and 2 daughters; married 2ndly, 1962, Mary Millar (who died as result of an accident), married 3rdly, 1976, Joan Catchpole, who predeceased him.

-=-

Elizabeth Ava More Nisbett (b 2014)

_.Lindsay M. More Nisbett (nee Weitz), wife of Alexander T.J. More Nisbett of Cairnhill, scion of that Scots landed family & descended from the Earls of Stair, gave birth to a daughter, Elizabeth Ava, in New York, 7 March, 2014, a sister for Finlay David North, born at New York, 15 July, 2011. 

Alexander is the second son of George Alan More Nisbett of The Drum, Edinburgh, by his wife the former Patrea MacDonald, and Lindsay is the eldest daughter of Mr and Mrs Kenneth Weitz, of Jupiter, Florida, USA.

 

-==--

Marion Thorpe, CBE 1926-2014

_. Marion Thorpe, CBE, concert pianist, co-founder of the Leeds Piano Competition, who died 6 March, 2014, aged 87, was the first wife of the late 7th Earl of Harewood (1923-2011), a first cousin of the Queen, and later wife of the disgraced Liberal party leader, Jeremy Thorpe (descended from the Norton-Griffiths Baronets).

She was born at Vienna, 18 Oct, 1926, as Maria Donata Nanetta Paulina Erwina Stein, but known as Marion, daughter of Erwin Stein (1885-1958), publisher, by his wife the former Sophie Bachmann (1883-1965); married 1stly, 29 Sept, 1949 (div 1967), the 7th Earl of Harewood (Earl E, 1812) (1923-2011), son of the 6th Earl of Harewood by his wife HRH The Princess Mary, Princess Royal, only daughter HM King George V, &c.

Three sons were born of the marriage, David, 8th Earl of Harewood (born 1950), the Hon James Lascelles (b 1953), and the Hon Jeremy Lascelles (b 1955).

She married 2ndly, 14 Mar, 1973, the Rt Hon (John) Jeremy Thorpe, MP (b 29 Apr, 1929), Leader of the Liberal party, &c, son of John Henry Thorpe b y his wife the former Ursula Norton-Griffiths (1903-92), scion of the baronets of that name.

Martin Stephen Robert Elwes 1948-2014

_. Martim Stephen Robert Elwes, who died 3 March, 2014, aged 65, was a scion of that landed family, and a nephew by marriage of HRH The Duchess of Kent.

He was born 4 May, 1948, a son of Maj Robert Valentine Gervase Elwes (1922-59), by his wife the former Sonia Sebag-Montefiore, scion of that landed family. He married 1984, Sarah Marianne Worsley (b 1958), scion of the Worsley Baronets (Bt, UK, cr 1838), daughter of Sir (William) Marcus John Worsley, 5th Baronet, of Hovingham Hall, North Yorkshire, and a niece of HRH The Duchess of Kent. They had issue, a son James Robert (b 1986), a son, Hugo Marcus (b 1991), and a daughter, Sophie Bridget (b 1988).

-=-

Obituary: George Seymour (1994)

Katharine Juliet Bowes-Lyon 1926-2014

_. Katharine Juliet Bowes-Lyon, who died 23 February, 2014, was a first cousin of the Queen.

She was born 4 July, 1926, fifth, youngest and last surviving daughter of the Hon John Herbert Bowes Lyon (1886-1930), by his wife the former Hon Fenella Hepburn Stuart Forbes-Trefusis (d. 1966), daughter of the 21st Baron Clinton.

From an early age, mentally defective, she was confined to a hospital, and controversially described as deceased in editions of Burke's Peerage and Baronetage ~ so described by her mother in compiling information for the tome.

Her siblings were Patricia, who died in infancy, Anne, who married Viscount Anson, and was mother of the late Earl of Lichfield, the photographer. After Anson's death she married Prince George of Denmark. Nerissa, mentally defective like her sister, who died in 1986, and Diana, who married Peter Somervell.

Katharine's father was a brother of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, &c, who was 2nd son of the 14th Earl of Strathmore & Kinghorne.

-=-

Nancy, Baroness Bagot, widow of the 6th Baron

_. Nancy, Baroness Bagot, who died 27 February, 2014, was the second wife, and widow, of Caryl Ernest, 6th Baron Bagot (1877-1961). She was the former Nancy Constance  Spicer, daughter of Francis Aldborough Spicer, of Sydney, NSW, and married 1 March, 1940, the then Caryl Ernest Bagot, who succeeded his cousin as 6th Baron, 5 Apr, 1946.(The peerage was cr GB, 1780). There was a daughter of the marriage, Caryl Rosemary, born 7 Dec, 1960. She was widowed, 5 Aug 1961, when the peerage passed to a cousin of the 6th peer.

Lady Bagot married 2ndly, 14 Sept, 1965, George Kenneth Whitehead, of Blithfield Hall, Rugeley, Staffordshire.

-=-

Baron Bilston 1942-2014

_.The Baron Bilston, who died 25 Feb, 2014, aged 71, was Dennis Turner, Labour & Co-op MP for Wolverhampton SE, 1987-2005.

In 2005 he was awarded a life peerage ~ gazetted in the name, style, and title of BARON BILSTON, of Bilston in the County of West Midlands.

The peer, b. 26 Aug, 1942, the son of Mary Elizabeth Peasley and Thomas Herbert Turner; married in 1976, Patricia Mary Narroway, by whom he had 1 son and 1 daughter. He was Chairman of the H of C Catering Committee, &c.

-=-

Cooke-Hurle/Abdy Collins engagement

_. The engagement was announced 5 March, 2014, betweem Christopher (Digger) Cooke-Hurle, scion of that landed family, younger son of Mr John Feilding Cooke-Hurle (b 1947), of Barnard Castle, Co Durham, by his wife the former Marion Wynifred (Moppet) Hobson, scion of that landed family, & Alice Susanna Abdy Collins (born 1983), descended from the Earls of Morton, eldest dau of Thomas Abdy Collins (b 1948),  of Little Faringdon, by his former wife the former Anna Mary Critchley (Mrs Anna Abdy Collins, of Glenferness).

-=-

Leslie/Grant engagement

_. The engagement was announced 5 March, 2014, getween the Hon Alexander John Leslie, Master of Rothes (b 18 Feb, 1962), scion of the Earls of Rothes (Peerage of Scot. cr 1457/8), yr brother and heir pres to the 22nd Earl of Rothes, son of the late 21st Earl of Rothes (1932-2005), by his wife the former Marigold Evans-Bevan (Marigold, Countess of Rothes, of Hampshire), & Miranda Grant, scion of the Grants of Glenmoriston, daughter of the late Ian Grant of Glenoriston, and of Mrs Ian Grant, of Dumfriesshire.

-=-

Lascelles/Cartlidge engagement

_. The engagement has been announced between the Hon Edward David Lascelles (born 19 Nov, 1982), third son of the 8th Earl of Harewood (b 21 Oct, 1950) (Peerage of the UK, cr 1812), of Harewood House, Leeds, West Yorkshire, by his 1st wife the former Margaret Rosalind Messenger (b 15 Apr, 1948), and Miss Sophie Emma Cartlidge (b 1986), daughter of Nigel G. Cartlidge (b 1954), by his wife the former Katharine A.C. Hall..

At a recent meeting of the Privy Council, HM The Queen gave her approval for the forthcoming marriage as is required under the terms of the Royal Marriages Act, 1772.

The Earl of Harewood is a 1st cousin once removed of the Queen, &c.

-=-

Mary Arderne Frances Somerset 1920-2014

_. Mary Arderne Frances Somerset, who died 25 February, 2014, aged 93, was a scion of the  Dukes of Beaufort (Duke, England, cr 1682). She was born 13 May, 1920, daughter of Capt Noel Henry Plantagenet Somerset 1885-1921, ( descended from the 5th Duke of Beaufort ), by his wife the former Helen Barbara Ormerod 1889-1952.. Unm. Funeral at St Mary's Church, Greywell, Hampshire, Wed 5 March, 2014.

-=-

Violet Louise Reid (b 2014)

_. Henrietta Reid (nee Sitwell) scion of the Sitwell Baronets, and wife of Dickon F. Reid, gave birth to a daughter, Violet Louise, 4 February, 2014, a sister for Kitty Edith, who was b 1 July, 2011.

Dickon Reid is the son of the late Mr Michael Reid and of Mrs Michael Reid, of Burwash, East Sussex, and Henrietta is a daughter of the late Francis Trajan Sacheverell Sitwell (1935-2004), of Weston Hall, Towcester, by his wife Susanna Carolyn Cross, and sister of the current baronet. 

-==-

HRH Princess Leonore Lilian Maria of Sweden, Duchess of Gotland (b 2014)

.__Princess Madeleine of Sweden, Duchess of Halsingland & Gastrikland (b 10 June 1982), younger daughter of His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden (b 13 Apr 1946) and Queen Silvia of Sweden (b 23 Dec, 1943) and wife of Christopher Paul O'Neill (b London, 27 June, 1974), gave birth to a daughter, HRH Princess Leonore Lilian Maria, Duchess of Gotland, at New York, 20 Feb, 2014.

Mr O'Neill is the son of the late Paul O'Neill (d 2004), by his wife the former Eva Maria Walter. He is a half brother of Tatjana Schoeller, wife of (John) Henry Erland d'Abo (b 7 Oct 1953), scion of the landed family of that name, and a grandson maternally of John Henry Montagu (Manners) 9th Duke of Rutland.

Princess Madeleine is a great granddaughter of Princess Margaret of Connaught, and a great-great granddaughter of HRH The Prince Arthur Duke of Connaught & Strathearn (Peerage of the UK, cr 1874; extinct 1943), third son of HM Queen Victoria, &c.

-=-

Cdr Christopher Henry Fothergill, RN 1921-2014

_. Cdr Christopher Henry Fothergill, RN, who died 21 February, 2014, aged 92, was descended from the Earls of Radnor. He was b 15 Oct, 1921, son of Capt Henry Maclean Fothergill by his wife the former Lucy Bouverie-Pusey, scion of the Earls of Radnor, and married 6 Feb, 1965, Linda Kathleen Browne (b 2 May, 1930), a co~heir to the Barony of Braye (Peerage of England, cr 1529), dau of Claude Henry Browne by his wife Vera Cecilia ( a granddaughter of the 5th Baron Braye). Cdr Fothergill leaves 2 sons, Nicholas and Alexander. 

His elder son is destined to succeed as Baron Braye.

Funeral at St Lawrence Church, Chobham, Surrey, 13 Mar.

-=-

Hon (John) Vincent Weir 1935-2014

_. The Hon (John) Vincent Weir, scion of the Barons Inverforth (Baron UK, cr 1919) who died 15 February, 2014, aged 79, was late chairman of the Weir Group, and heir presumptive to his nephew, the 4th Baron Inverforth.

He was born 8 Feb, 1935, second son of the 2nd Baron Inverforth (1897-1975 ), by his wife the former Iris Beryl Vincent, and was yr brother of the 3rd Baron (1932- 1982). He was educated at Malvern, and was unm.

-=-