Colonel Lord William Cecil (2 November 1854 – 16 April 1943) was a British
army
An army (from Old French ''armee'', itself derived from the Latin verb ''armāre'', meaning "to arm", and related to the Latin noun ''arma'', meaning "arms" or "weapons"), ground force or land force is a fighting force that fights primarily on ...
officer and royal courtier.
Early life
Lord William was born on 2 November 1854, a younger son of
William Cecil, 3rd Marquess of Exeter
William Alleyne Cecil, 3rd Marquess of Exeter PC (30 April 1825 – 14 July 1895), styled Lord Burghley between 1825 and 1867, was a British peer and Conservative politician. He served as Treasurer of the Household between 1866 and 1867 and as ...
(1825–1895) and Lady Georgina Sophia Pakenham (died 1909), daughter of
Thomas Pakenham, 2nd Earl of Longford
Thomas Pakenham, 2nd Earl of Longford, (14 May 1774 – 28 May 1835), known as The Lord Longford between 1792 and 1794, was an Anglo-Irish peer.
Background
Pakenham was the eldest son of Edward Pakenham, 2nd Baron Longford, by Catherine Rowley ...
(1774–1835). His paternal grandparents were
Brownlow Cecil, 2nd Marquess of Exeter
Brownlow Cecil, 2nd Marquess of Exeter (2 July 1795 – 16 January 1867), styled Lord Burghley until 1804, was a British peer, courtier, and Tory politician. He held office under the Earl of Derby as Lord Chamberlain of the Household in 1852 a ...
(1795–1867), and Isabella Poyntz, daughter of
William Stephen Poyntz
William Stephen Poyntz (20 January 1770 – 8 April 1840) was an English Whig and Liberal politician who sat in the House of Commons variously between 1800 and 1837.
Early life
Poyntz was the son of William Poyntz of Midgham (d.1809) by his w ...
(1770–1840), an English
Whig and
Liberal
Liberal or liberalism may refer to:
Politics
* a supporter of liberalism
** Liberalism by country
* an adherent of a Liberal Party
* Liberalism (international relations)
* Sexually liberal feminism
* Social liberalism
Arts, entertainment and m ...
politician who sat in the
House of Commons
The House of Commons is the name for the elected lower house of the bicameral parliaments of the United Kingdom and Canada. In both of these countries, the Commons holds much more legislative power than the nominally upper house of parliament. ...
variously between 1800 and 1837.
His siblings included:
Brownlow Henry George, Lord Burghley, later the 4th Marquess of Exeter (1849–1898), Lord Francis Horace Pierrepont (1851–1889), who married Edith Brookes, daughter of
Sir William Cunliffe Brooks, 1st Baronet
Sir William Cunliffe Brooks, 1st Baronet, (30 September 1819 – 9 June 1900) was an English barrister, banker and Conservative politician who sat in the House of Commons between 1869 and 1892.
Life
Brooks was the son of Samuel Brooks, a ...
, Lady Catherine Sarah (1861–1918), who married
Henry de Vere Vane, 9th Baron Barnard
Henry de Vere Vane, 9th Baron Barnard FSA, JP, Hon. DCL (10 May 1854 – 28 December 1918) was a British peer and Senior Freemason.
Education
He was born, on 10 May 1854, as the son of Sir Henry Morgan Vane at Durham. In his youth he was ...
, Colonel
Lord John Pakenham Joicey-Cecil (1867–1942), Lady Isabella Georgiana Katherine (died 1903), who married William Battie-Wrightson, Lady Mary Louisa Wellesley (died 1930), who married
James Hozier, 2nd Baron Newlands
James Henry Cecil Hozier, 2nd Baron Newlands (4 April 1851 – 5 September 1929) was a Scottish civil servant, diplomat and politician.James Henry Cecil Hozier Newlands (2d Baron). The Right Honourable James Hozier, Second Baron Newlands to the ...
, and Lady Louisa Alexandrina (died 1950) and Lady Frances Emily (died 1951), both of whom died unmarried.
Career
Cecil's military career began when he was commissioned as a supernumerary sub-lieutenant in the
Northampton and Rutland Militia
The Northampton and Rutland Militia was a militia regiment in the United Kingdom from 1860 to 1881, when it was transferred into the Northamptonshire Regiment.
The regiment was formed in 1860 by the amalgamation of the Northampton Militia and the ...
on 9 May 1874, with subsequent promotion to lieutenant from the same date. On 29 November 1876 he transferred to the regulars as a lieutenant in the
2nd Foot
The Queen's Royal Regiment (West Surrey) was a line infantry regiment of the English and later the British Army from 1661 to 1959. It was the senior English line infantry regiment of the British Army, behind only the Royal Scots in the British Arm ...
, moving to the
Grenadier Guards
"Shamed be whoever thinks ill of it."
, colors =
, colors_label =
, march = Slow: " Scipio"
, mascot =
, equipment =
, equipment ...
on 31 January 1877. He served in the
Suakin Expedition
The Suakin Expedition was either of two British military expeditions, led by Major-General Sir Gerald Graham V.C., to Suakin in Sudan, with the intention of destroying the power of the Sudanese military commander Osman Digna and his troops during ...
in Sudan in 1885
[Hart's Army list, 1901] and was promoted to captain on 18 July that year.
Cecil was Lieutenant-Colonel Commandant of the 4th (
Militia
A militia () is generally an army or some other fighting organization of non-professional soldiers, citizens of a country, or subjects of a state, who may perform military service during a time of need, as opposed to a professional force of r ...
) Battalion, the
Lincolnshire Regiment
The Royal Lincolnshire Regiment was a line infantry regiment of the British Army raised on 20 June 1685 as the Earl of Bath's Regiment for its first Colonel, John Granville, 1st Earl of Bath. In 1751, it was numbered like most other Army regiments ...
from 16 April 1890, with the honorary rank of
colonel
Colonel (abbreviated as Col., Col or COL) is a senior military officer rank used in many countries. It is also used in some police forces and paramilitary organizations.
In the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, a colonel was typically in charge of ...
.
During 1900 the battalion was stationed at
Parkhurst barracks on the
Isle of Wight
The Isle of Wight ( ) is a county in the English Channel, off the coast of Hampshire, from which it is separated by the Solent. It is the largest and second-most populous island of England. Referred to as 'The Island' by residents, the Isle of ...
, not far from Queen Victoria's residence
Osborne House
Osborne House is a former royal residence in East Cowes, Isle of Wight, United Kingdom. The house was built between 1845 and 1851 for Queen Victoria and Prince Albert as a summer home and rural retreat. Albert designed the house himself, in t ...
, where Cecil was a regular visitor. He resigned his commission on 13 September 1902, retaining his rank, when his younger brother Lord John succeeded in command of the battalion. During the First World War, he was a temporary major in the 9th Battalion, County of London Volunteer Regiment from 1 September 1916, relinquishing his commission in the
Volunteer Force
The Volunteer Force was a citizen army of part-time rifle, artillery and engineer corps, created as a popular movement throughout the British Empire in 1859. Originally highly autonomous, the units of volunteers became increasingly integrated ...
on 12 March 1920.
In 1892, he became a
Groom-in-Waiting The office of Groom in Waiting (sometimes hyphenated as Groom-in-Waiting) was a post in the Royal Household of the United Kingdom, which in earlier times was usually held by more than one person at a time – in the late Middle Ages there might be d ...
to
Queen Victoria
Victoria (Alexandrina Victoria; 24 May 1819 – 22 January 1901) was Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from 20 June 1837 until Death and state funeral of Queen Victoria, her death in 1901. Her reign of 63 years and 21 ...
and remained as such until her death in 1901. He was then an Extra
Gentleman Usher Gentleman Usher is a title for some officers of the Royal Household of the United Kingdom. See List of Gentlemen Ushers for a list of office-holders.
Gentlemen Ushers as servants Historical
Gentlemen Ushers were originally a class of servants fou ...
from 1924 under
King George V
George V (George Frederick Ernest Albert; 3 June 1865 – 20 January 1936) was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and Emperor of India, from 6 May 1910 until his death in 1936.
Born during the reign of his grandmother Que ...
until his retirement in 1937. In 1909, he was invested as a Commander,
Royal Victorian Order
The Royal Victorian Order (french: Ordre royal de Victoria) is a dynastic order of knighthood established in 1896 by Queen Victoria. It recognises distinguished personal service to the British monarch, Canadian monarch, Australian monarch, o ...
, C.V.O., and later, he was also invested as
Bailiff Grand Cross, Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem.
Personal life
On 2 September 1885, he had married
Hon. Mary Tyssen-Amherst, who succeeded her father as
Baroness Amherst of Hackney in 1909. He and his wife had four children before her death in 1919:
* Captain Honourable William Amherst Cecil (1886–1914), who married Gladys Evelyn Baggallay (1884–1947), granddaughter of
Rt. Hon. Sir Richard Baggallay
* Captain Honourable Thomas James Amherst Cecil (1887–1955), who married Vera Agnes Barclay (born 1888), granddaughter of
Alexander Charles Barclay
Alexander Charles Barclay (1823 – 10 January 1893) was an English brewer and Liberal politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1865 to 1880.
Barclay was the son of David Barclay of Eastwick Park, Leatherhead and his wife Maria Dorothe ...
* Honourable
John Francis Amherst Cecil
John Francis Amherst Cecil (30 June 1890 – 22 October 1954) was the first secretary of the British Embassy, Washington, known for his marriage to Cornelia Stuyvesant Vanderbilt.
Early life
John Francis Amherst Cecil was born on 30 June 1890 in ...
(1890–1954), who married
Cornelia Stuyvesant Vanderbilt
Cornelia Stuyvesant Vanderbilt Cecil Bulkely-Johnson Goodsir (August 22, 1900 – February 7, 1976) was an American born heiress and member of the Vanderbilt family who inherited the Biltmore Estate. She was known for her eccentric behavior.
Ear ...
(1900–1976), daughter of
George Washington Vanderbilt II
George Washington Vanderbilt II (November 14, 1862 – March 6, 1914) was an art collector and member of the prominent Vanderbilt family, which amassed a huge fortune through steamboats, railroads, and various business enterprises. He commission ...
and
Edith Stuyvesant Dresser
Edith Stuyvesant Vanderbilt Gerry ( Dresser; January 17, 1873 – December 21, 1958) was an American philanthropist and wife of George Washington Vanderbilt II and Peter Goelet Gerry, a United States senator from Rhode Island.
Early life
Edith S ...
in 1924. and had issue. They divorced in 1934.
* Commander Honourable Henry Mitford Amherst Cecil (1893–1963), who married Hon. Yvonne Cornwallis (1896–1983), daughter of
Fiennes Cornwallis, 1st Baron Cornwallis
Colonel Fiennes Stanley Wykeham Cornwallis, 1st Baron Cornwallis, (27 May 1864 – 26 September 1935) was a British Conservative politician.
Early life
Lord Cornwallis was born 27 May 1864 at Chacombe Priory, Banbury, Oxfordshire, the eldest s ...
On 14 August 1924, after the death of his wife in 1919, he married Violet Maud Freer (died 1957), daughter of Percy Freer and former wife of Herbert Oswald Collyer.
[Peter W. Hammond, editor, ]The Complete Peerage
''The Complete Peerage'' (full title: ''The Complete Peerage of England, Scotland, Ireland, Great Britain, and the United Kingdom Extant, Extinct, or Dormant''; first edition by George Edward Cokayne, Clarenceux King of Arms; 2nd edition revis ...
or a History of the House of Lords and All its Members From the Earliest Times, Volume XIV: Addenda & Corrigenda (Stroud, Gloucestershire
Gloucestershire ( abbreviated Glos) is a county in South West England. The county comprises part of the Cotswold Hills, part of the flat fertile valley of the River Severn and the entire Forest of Dean.
The county town is the city of Gl ...
, U.K.: Sutton Publishing
The History Press is a British publishing company specialising in the publication of titles devoted to local and specialist history. It claims to be the United Kingdom's largest independent publisher in this field, publishing approximately 300 ...
, 1998), p. 22.
Cecil died on 16 April 1943 at
Haywards Heath
Haywards Heath is a town in West Sussex, England, south of London, north of Brighton, south of Gatwick Airport and northeast of the county town, Chichester. Nearby towns include Burgess Hill to the southwest, Horsham to the northwest, Crawl ...
in Sussex.
Descendants
As his eldest son, Capt. Hon. William Amherst Cecil died on 16 September 1914 during the
First Battle of the Aisne
The First Battle of the Aisne (french: 1re Bataille de l'Aisne) was the Allied follow-up offensive against the right wing of the German First Army (led by Alexander von Kluck) and the Second Army (led by Karl von Bülow) as they retreated aft ...
whilst serving with 2nd Bn.
Grenadier Guards
"Shamed be whoever thinks ill of it."
, colors =
, colors_label =
, march = Slow: " Scipio"
, mascot =
, equipment =
, equipment ...
, Cecil's grandson, William Alexander Evering Cecil (1912–1980), succeeded Cecil's wife as the
3rd Baron Amherst of Hackney upon her death in 1919.
The 3rd Baron Amherst of Hackney married Margaret Eirene Clifton Brown (1921–2009), daughter of
Howard Clifton Brown
Brigadier-General Howard Clifton Brown (3 April 1868 – 11 September 1946) was a British army officer and Conservative Party politician who served as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Newbury.
Early life
Brown was born on 3 April 1868. He wa ...
(1868–1946), a
Conservative Party
The Conservative Party is a name used by many political parties around the world. These political parties are generally right-wing though their exact ideologies can range from center-right to far-right.
Political parties called The Conservative P ...
politician who served as the Member of Parliament for
Newbury. The 3rd Baron's younger brother, Hon. Henry Kerr Auchmuty Cecil (1914–1942), was the father of
Sir Henry Cecil
Sir Henry Richard Amherst Cecil (11 January 1943 – 11 June 2013) was a British flat racing horse trainer. Cecil was very successful, becoming Champion Trainer ten times and training 25 domestic Classic winners. These comprised four winners o ...
(1943–2013), an internationally renowned horse trainer.
Through his third son, he was grandfather to
George Henry Vanderbilt Cecil
George Henry Vanderbilt Cecil (February 27, 1925 – October 19, 2020) was an American businessman who was the owner and chairman of Biltmore Farms.
Biography
George was the first of two sons born to John Francis Amherst Cecil (1890–1954) an ...
(1925–2020), the owner and operator of
Biltmore Farms
Founded in 1897 by George Washington Vanderbilt II, Biltmore Farms has evolved from one of the Southeast's largest independent dairy producer to a community development firm. Son of William Henry Vanderbilt and grandson of Cornelius Vanderbilt, ...
, and
William Amherst Vanderbilt Cecil
William Amherst Vanderbilt Cecil (August 17, 1928 – October 31, 2017) was the operator of the Biltmore Estate through his company, The Biltmore Company.
Biography
Early life
William Cecil was the younger son of Cornelia Stuyvesant Vanderbil ...
(1928–2017), the operator of the
Biltmore Estate
Biltmore Estate is a historic house museum and tourist attraction in Asheville, North Carolina. Biltmore House (or Biltmore Mansion), the main residence, is a Châteauesque-style mansion built for George Washington Vanderbilt II between 1889 a ...
through his company,
The Biltmore Company
The Biltmore Company is an American firm that owns and operates Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina. The company is owned by the family of William Amherst Vanderbilt Cecil, the younger grandson of George Washington Vanderbilt II.
In 1999 ...
.
NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK NOMINATION: BILTMORE ESTATE
/ref>
Through his fourth and youngest son, he was the grandfather of Rear Admiral
Rear admiral is a senior naval flag officer rank, equivalent to a major general and air vice marshal and above that of a commodore and captain, but below that of a vice admiral. It is regarded as a two star "admiral" rank. It is often regarde ...
Sir Oswald Nigel Amherst Cecil (born 1925), the 23rd Lieutenant Governor of the Isle of Man
The Lieutenant Governor of the Isle of Man ( gv, Fo-chiannoort Vannin or ''Lhiass-chiannoort Vannin'') is the Lord of Mann's official personal representative in the Isle of Man. He has the power to grant royal assent and is styled "His Excellen ...
.[Burke's Peerage & Gentry](_blank)
/ref>
See also
*Cecil family
Cecil may refer to:
People with the name
* Cecil (given name), a given name (including a list of people and fictional characters with the name)
* Cecil (surname), a surname (including a list of people with the name)
Places Canada
*Cecil, Alberta, ...
* Amherst family
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cecil, Lord William
1854 births
1943 deaths
Bailiffs Grand Cross of the Order of St John
Commanders of the Royal Victorian Order
Younger sons of marquesses
William Cecil, Lord
Gentlemen Ushers
Members of the British Royal Household