Geoffrey Somerset, 6th Baron Raglan (born 29 August 1932), is a British peer, businessman, and

Conservative Conservatism is a cultural, social, and political philosophy that seeks to promote and to preserve traditional institutions, practices, and values. The central tenets of conservatism may vary in relation to the culture and civilization in ...

politician.

Early life

Raglan is the younger son of

FitzRoy Somerset, 4th Baron Raglan Fitzroy Richard Somerset, 4th Baron Raglan FRAI (10 June 1885 – 14 September 1964) was a British soldier, author, and amateur anthropologist. His books include ''The Hero, A Study in Tradition, Myth and Drama'' and ''Monmouthshire Houses'', w ...

, by his marriage to the Hon. Julia Hamilton, daughter of the 11th Lord Belhaven and Stenton. He was educated at the

Dragon School ("Reach for the Sun") , established = 1877 , closed = , type = Preparatory day and boarding school and Pre-Prep school , religion = Church of England , president = , head_label = Head , head = Emma Goldsm ...

Oxford Oxford () is a city in England. It is the county town and only city of Oxfordshire. In 2020, its population was estimated at 151,584. It is north-west of London, south-east of Birmingham and north-east of Bristol. The city is home to the ...

Westminster School (God Gives the Increase) , established = Earliest records date from the 14th century, refounded in 1560 , type = Public school Independent day and boarding school , religion = Church of England , head_label = Hea ...

, and the

Royal Agricultural College ;(from Virgil's Georgics)"Caring for the Fieldsand the Beasts" , established = 2013 - University status – College , type = Public , president = King Charles , vice_chancellor = Peter McCaffery , students ...

. Field Marshal

Lord Raglan Baron Raglan, of Raglan in the County of Monmouth, is a title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. It was created on 20 October 1852 for the military commander Lord FitzRoy Somerset, chiefly remembered as commander of the British troops ...

, the first baron, was the eighth son of

Henry Somerset, 5th Duke of Beaufort Henry Somerset, 5th Duke of Beaufort (16 October 1744 – 11 October 1803) was an English courtier and politician. He was the only son of Charles Noel Somerset, 4th Duke of Beaufort and Elizabeth Somerset, Duchess of Beaufort. Styled Marqu ...

, so the Lords Raglan are distantly in the line of succession to the dukedom of Beaufort.

Life

After completing his

National Service National service is the system of voluntary government service, usually military service. Conscription is mandatory national service. The term ''national service'' comes from the United Kingdom's National Service (Armed Forces) Act 1939. The ...

as an officer in the

Grenadier Guards "Shamed be whoever thinks ill of it." , colors = , colors_label = , march = Slow: " Scipio" , mascot = , equipment = , equipment ...

, Raglan was a trainee with the

Rootes Group The Rootes Group or Rootes Motors Limited was a British automobile manufacturer and, separately, a major motor distributors and dealers business. Run from London's West End, the manufacturer was based in the Midlands and the distribution and de ...

from 1954 to 1957, an Instructor at the

Standard Motor Company The Standard Motor Company Limited was a motor vehicle manufacturer, founded in Coventry, England, in 1903 by Reginald Walter Maudslay. For many years, it manufactured Ferguson TE20 tractors powered by its Vanguard engine. All Standard's tract ...

1957–1960, then sales and later Marketing Manager, Lambourn Engineerin

1960–1971. From 1971 to 1994 he was a wine shipper and from 1994 to 2013 an insurance broker. He served as President of the Lambourn St John Ambulance Division 1964–1981, President of the Lambourn branch of the

Royal British Legion The Royal British Legion (RBL), formerly the British Legion, is a British charity providing financial, social and emotional support to members and veterans of the British Armed Forces, their families and dependants, as well as all others in ...

1963–1977, a member of Berkshire County Council 1966–1975 (Chairman Mental Welfare Sub-Committee, Chairman Children's Homes & Nurseries Sub-Committee, Chairman Children's Homes, Chairman of Governors of Tesdale & Bennet House special schools). He was a member of Newbury District Council from 1979 to 1983 and chaired its Recreation & Amenities Committee, Chairman of the Stanford Conservative Association 1984 to 1988 and again 1997 to 2000, member of the Oxfordshire Valuation Tribunal and later a Chairman of Thames Valley Valuation Tribunals between 1987 and 2004, a member of Oxfordshire County Council 1988–1993, Chairman Vale of White Horse District of the

Campaign to Protect Rural England CPRE, The Countryside Charity, formerly known by names such as the ''Council for the Preservation of Rural England'' and the ''Council for the Protection of Rural England'', is a charity in England with over 40,000 members and supporters. Forme ...

(CPRE) 2000–2004 (and a Committee Member to date). He is also a Vice-President of the Oxfordshire Grenadier Guards Association and a Liveryman of the

Worshipful Company of Skinners The Worshipful Company of Skinners (known as The Skinners' Company) is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. It was originally an association of those engaged in the trade of skins and furs. It was granted Royal Charter in 1327 ...

. He succeeded to the title of

Baron Raglan Baron Raglan, of Raglan in the County of Monmouth, is a title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. It was created on 20 October 1852 for the military commander Lord FitzRoy Somerset, chiefly remembered as commander of the British troops ...

on 24 January 2010 on the death of his older brother, Fitzroy Somerset, the 5th Baron.BBC News - Lord Raglan dies in hospital near his Usk home
/ref>

Family

In 1956, Geoffrey Somerset married Caroline Rachel Hill (d. 5 July 2014), a daughter of Colonel Edward Roderick Hill DSO, of St Arvans Court,

Chepstow Chepstow ( cy, Cas-gwent) is a town and community in Monmouthshire, Wales, adjoining the border with Gloucestershire, England. It is located on the tidal River Wye, about above its confluence with the River Severn, and adjoining the wester ...

, Monmouthshire, by his marriage to Rachel Hicks Beach. They have had three children, two daughters and a son now deceased. #Hon. Belinda Caroline Somerset, now Boyd (born 9 February 1958), educated at St Gabriel's School, Newbury, Chatelard School,

Bradfield College Bradfield College, formally St Andrew's College, Bradfield, is a public school (English independent day and boarding school) for pupils aged 11–18, located in the small village of Bradfield in the English county of Berkshire. It is note ...

, Founder and Director ''20 Public Relations'', married 1989 Nicholas Gant Boyd, eldest son of Cdr Christopher Boyd DSC RN. #Hon. Arthur Geoffrey Somerset (27 April 1960 – 25 July 2012), educated at

, Oxford, and

, married 2001 Tanya Arabel, only daughter of Roger Broome. He was the founder and CEO of Mask Event Design & Production (1988–2008), President of the International Special Events Society UK & Europe (2002–2004), Regional Vice-President Europe, Middle East and Africa (2004–2005), Chairman Trellech Conservatives from 2011. Their children are Inigo Arthur Fitzroy Somerset (born 7 July 2004), now heir apparent to the barony; Ivo Geoffrey Arthur Tarsus Somerset (born 6 July 2007); and Oona-Vita Olwen Phyllis Caroline Somerset (born February 2010). #Hon. Lucy Ann Somerset (born 8 February 1963) educated St Gabriel's School, Newbury, married 1998 Richard Scott Watson FRCS and has issue Rachel Elise (born 2000), George Anthony (born 2002), Theo Alan (born 2004).

Seats

The family seat was

Cefntilla Court Cefn Tilla Court, Llandenny, Monmouthshire, Wales, is a country house dating from the mid-19th century. Its origins date from 1616. During the English Civil War, the court was the headquarters of Thomas Fairfax during the siege of Raglan Castle ...

Llandenny Llandenny ( cy, Llandenni or, lesser used, Mathenni) is a village in Monmouthshire, south east Wales, United Kingdom. Llandenny is located three miles south of Raglan and three miles north of Usk. History and amenities The little village of ...

, in Monmouthshire. An inscription over the porch dated 1858 reads: "This house with 238 acres of land was purchased by 1623 of the friends, admirers and comrades in arms of the late Field Marshal

GCB and presented by them to his son and his heirs for ever in a lasting memorial of affectionate regard and respect". The 5th Baron Raglan willed Cefntilla to the son of his sister, and not to the heirs of the barony. The will was disputed by the Hon Arthur Somerset, son and heir of Geoffrey Somerset, but following his death on 25 July 2012 the dispute was settled.

References

External links

Pedigree of Geoffrey Somerset, 6th Baron Raglan
{{DEFAULTSORT:Raglan, Geoffrey Somerset, 6th Baron 1932 births Barons in the Peerage of the United Kingdom Conservative Party (UK) councillors Members of Berkshire County Council Geoffrey Somerset, 6th Baron Raglan Living people Members of Oxfordshire County Council People educated at The Dragon School People educated at Westminster School, London Younger sons of barons