Lord George Wellesley

Greg Bagwell

Lady and Lord George Wellesley in 1918
Born 29 July 1889
Died 31 July 1967
Allegiance United Kingdom United Kingdom
Service/branch  British Army
 Royal Air Force
Years of service 1909-1919, 1939-1954
Rank Squadron Leader
Battles/wars World War I
World War II
Awards Military Cross

Squadron Leader Lord George Wellesley MC (29 July 1889 – 31 July 1967) was an English soldier and airman.

Biography

He was born on 29 July 1889, the son of Colonel Sir Arthur Charles Wellesley, 4th Duke of Wellington and Kathleen Emily Bulkeley Williams. His great-grandfather was Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington.

Wing Commander Lord George Wellesley was educated at Wellington College, Berkshire. He was Managing Director of Coxeter and Son plc. He was commissioned a second lieutenant (on probation) in the Grenadier Guards on 3 February 1909 and was confirmed in his rank on 1 February 1911.[1][2] He was promoted to lieutenant on 15 September 1912, and was appointed a flying officer in the Royal Flying Corps on 30 June 1914.[3][4] He was promoted to flight commander on 11 December 1914, with the temporary rank of captain, and was appointed an instructor at the Central Flying School of the RFC on 19 December.[5][6] He fought in the First World War between 1914 and 1918, where he was mentioned in dispatches in June 1916. He was appointed a squadron commander on 1 July 1916, with the permanent rank of captain and the temporary rank of major.[7] He was decorated with the Military Cross (M.C.) in 1916.

He married Louise Nesta Pamela FitzGerald, daughter of Sir Maurice FitzGerald, 2nd Bt. and Amelia Catherine Bischoffsheim, on 12 March 1917 at Saint Thomas Church in Manhattan, New York City. She was the widow of his elder brother Richard.[8]

He was appointed a wing commander in the RFC, with the temporary rank of lieutenant-colonel, on 1 October 1917.[9]

He gained the rank of Squadron Leader in 1939 in the service of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. He fought in the Second World War between 1939 and 1945. He was decorated with the Royal Humane Society Medal. He relinquished his commission in the RAFVR on 10 February 1954, retaining the rank of squadron leader.[10]

After the death of his first wife on 21 February 1947, he married secondly Jean McGillivray, daughter of John McGillivray and Jane Ann Stuart, on 25 November 1955. He had a son, Richard, with his first wife.

He died on 31 July 1967.

References

  1. ↑ The London Gazette: no. 28220. p. 830. 2 February 1909. Retrieved 3 January 2015.
  2. ↑ The London Gazette: no. 28462. p. 857. 3 February 1911. Retrieved 3 January 2015.
  3. ↑ The London Gazette: no. 28658. p. 7942. 29 October 1912. Retrieved 3 January 2015.
  4. ↑ The London Gazette: no. 28870. p. 6398. 14 August 1914. Retrieved 3 January 2015.
  5. ↑ The London Gazette: no. 29015. p. 10922. 22 December 1914. Retrieved 3 January 2015.
  6. ↑ The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 29052. p. 894. 26 January 1915. Retrieved 3 January 2015.
  7. ↑ The London Gazette: no. 29687. p. 7483. 28 July 1916. Retrieved 3 January 2015.
  8. ↑ "Lord Wellesley Weds A Wellesley. Youngest Son of the Duke of Wellington Quietly Marries His Brother's Widow. In St. Thomas's Chapel. Bridegroom, Here on a Mission for His Government, Is a Captain of Grenadier Guards". New York Times. March 13, 1917. A marriage of international interest was solemnized yesterday in this city when Lord George Wellesley, youngest son of the Duke of Wellington and Louise Nesta Pamela Wellesley, widow of Richard Wellesley, a brother of the bridegroom, were married in the chapel of St. Thomas's Church. The Rev. Dr. Ernest M. Stires officiated.
  9. ↑ The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 30496. p. 1348. 25 January 1918. Retrieved 5 January 2015.
  10. ↑ The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 40281. p. 5380. 17 September 1954. Retrieved 5 January 2015.
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