Baronets with New Zealand Connections
Noel Cox
originally published in (Summer 2000) 73 New Zealand Armorist 2-4
Baronets who have lived in New Zealand, were born in New Zealand, or who have or had other strong links to this country are included in the following list. I have excluded those who were only here while holding official posts, including that of Governor-General, unless they received a baronetage predominantly for services in New Zealand. It will be noted that some of these nineteen individuals possess titles with territorial designations naming places in New Zealand.
Only two, Clifford (1887) and Ward (1911) were conferred specifically for services to New Zealand. A number of others were created for services to the Imperial Crown in New Zealand, or for wider services of which a significant element was based in New Zealand. Descriptions of the armorial bearings of each peer with a New Zealand connection will follow in later issues of this journal.
Arthur, Sir Stephen John, 6th baronet of Upper Canada, created 1841 in the baronetage of the United Kingdom. He succeeded in 1985. Sir Stephen's father, the Hon Sir Basil Malcolm, Bt, was Speaker of the House of Representatives 1984-85. Sir Stephen lives at Grene Gables, Seadown, RD3, Timaru. A hatchment of Sir Basil Arthur's armorial bearings is illustrated in the New Zealand Armorist no 26.
Blakiston, Sir Ferguson Arthur John, 9th baronet of London, created 1763 in the baronetage of Great Britain. He succeeded 1977. Sir Ferguson lives at 27a Chambers Street, PO Box 8165, Havelock North, Hawke's Bay.
Brisco, Sir Donald Gilfrid, JP, 8th baronet of Crofton Hall, Cumberland, created 1782 in the baronetage of Great Britain. He succeeded in 1968.
Burton-Chadwick, Sir Joshua Kenneth, 3rd baronet of Bidston, County Palatine of Chester, created 1935 in the baronetage of the United Kingdom. Succeeded 1983. He now lives in Queensland, though his sister still lives in New Zealand. There is no heir to the baronetcy.
Campbell of Auchinbreck, Sir Robin Auchinbreck, 15th baronet of Auchinbreck, created 1628 in the baronetage of Nova Scotia. Succeeded 1970. He lives at 287A Waikawa Road, Picton.
Clifford, Sir Roger Joseph, 7th baronet of Flaxbourne, in the Province of Marlborough, in the Colony of New Zealand, created 1887 in the baronetage of the United Kingdom. Sir Roger was born 1936 and succeeded his father in 1982. The baronetcy was created for the Hon Sir Charles Clifford, Speaker of the House of Representatives 1854-60, and was the first specifically for services to New Zealand. Sir Roger lives at 135 Totara Street, Riccarton, Christchurch 4.
Goodenough, Sir Richard, 2nd baronet of Broadwell and Filkins, county of Oxford, created 1943 in the baronetage of the United Kingdom. Born 1925, he succeeded 1951. Sir Richard married a New Zealander in 1951, and has lived in this country, although he now lives in the United Kingdom.
Harris, Sir Jack Wolfred Ashford, 2nd baronet of Bethnal Green, county of London, created 1932 in the baronetage of the United Kingdom. Succeeded 1952. Lives at Te Rama, Waikanae, near Wellington. Rather unusually, Sir Jack does not have armorial bearings.
Jephcott, Sir John Anthony, 2nd baronet of East Portlemouth, Devon, created 1962 in the baronetage of the United Kingdom. Sir John was born 21 May 1924. He succeeded 1978. The family have been resident in New Zealand since 1842. Sir John lives at 26 Sage Road, Kohimarama, Auckland 5. His heir lives in the United Kingdom.
le Fleming, Sir David, 13th baronet of Rydal, Westmorland, created 1705 in the baronetage of England. Sir David, born 12 January 1976, succeeded his father in 1995.
Mappin, Sir Frank Crossley, 6th baronet, created 1886 in the baronetage of the United Kingdom. Born 15 August 1884, Sir Frank died 1975, when the title became extinct. Sir Frank gave his residence, Birchlands, 119 Mountain Road, Epsom, to Her Majesty The Queen to be used as the Government House in Auckland.
Miller, Sir John Holmes Miller, 11th baronet, of Chichester, Sussex, created 1705 in the baronetage of England. Succeeded 1960. Lives at 60 Tamatea Road, Taupo.
Porritt, Sir Jonathon Espie, 2nd baronet, of Hampstead in the county of London, created 1963 in the baronetage of the United Kingdom. Succeeded 1994, and lives in the United Kingdom, where he is a leading environment campaigner and conservation adviser to His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales. Sir Arthur Espie Porritt's armorial bearings are described in the New Zealand Armorist nos 10 and 64.
Sinclair-Lockhart (of Murkle and Stevenson), Sir Simon John Edward, 15th baronet, of Murkle, county Caithness, and Stevenson, county Haddington, created 1632 in the baronetage of Nova Scotia. Sir Simon was born 22 July 1941. He succeeded 1985. Lives at 13 Franklin Terrace, Havelock North, Hawke's Bay.
Smith, Sir Thomas Gilbert, 4th baonet, of Stratford Place, St Marylebone, county of London, created 1897 in the baronetage of the United Kingdom. Sir Gilbert was born 1937, and succeeded 1961. His address is P.O. Box 654 Masterton.
Smith-Dodsworth, Sir John Christopher, 8th baronet, of Newland Park, created 1784 in the baronetage of Great Britain. Sir John was born 1935, and succeeded 1940. He lives in the Coromandel, at Driving Creek, and maintains the family seat of Thornton Watlass Hall, Ripon, Yorkshire, where there is still as estate. His eldest son and heir lives in Thornton Watlass Hall.
Spicer, Sir Nicholas Adrian Albert, 5th baronet, of Lancaster Gate, Paddington, created 1906 in the Baronatege of the United Kingdom. Sir Nicholas was born in 1953 and succeeded his father to the baronetcy in 1993. He married New Zealand-born Patricia Dye (Lady Spicer), and their eldest son, and heir to the title, is James Peter Warwick Spicer. They live in the United Kingdom.
Stewart, Sir Bruce Fraser 2nd and last baronet, of Fingask, county Perth, created 1920 in the baronetcy of the United Kingdom, died 1979. The title is now extinct. Sir Bruce was not armigerous.
Stuart-Forbes (of Monymusk), Sir William Daniel, 13th baronet, of Pitsligo and Monymusk, Aberdeenshire, created 1626 in the baronetage of Nova Scotia. Born 21 August 1935, succeeded 1985. The Stuart-Forbes family has lived in New Zealand since 1956. Sir William lives at Macrocarpa Hall, Blenheim, Marlborough.
Ward, Sir Joseph James Laffey, 4th baronet, of Wellington, New Zealand, created 1911 in the baronetage of the United Kingdom. Succeeded 1970. The baronetcy was created for the Right Honourable Sir Joseph Ward GCMG, Prime Minister 1906-12 and 1928-30 (for services to New Zealand). Sir Joseph lives at 3 Regal Place, Milford, Auckland. Sir Joseph Ward's armorial bearings are described in the New Zealand Armorist no 60.