Peers with New Zealand Connections
Noel Cox
first published (Autumn 2000) 74 New Zealand Armorist 4-9
Peers 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, excluding that of Governor-General, unless they received a peerage 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.
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. Royal peerages have been excluded from this survey. Descriptions of the armorial bearings of each peer with a New Zealand connection will follow in later issues of this journal.
Marquesses
Normanby GCB GCMG PC (the Right and Most Honourable Sir George Augustus Constantine Phipps). 2nd Marquess of Normanby (UK 1838), Earl of Mulgrave (UK 1812), Viscount Normanby (UK 1812), Baron Mulgrave (GB 1794), Baron Mulgrave (Ireland 1767). Born 1819, and died 1890. His lordship was Treasurer of the Royal Household, then Lieutenant-Governor of Nova Scotia 1858-63, and Governor of Queensland 1871-74, New Zealand 1875-79, and Victoria 1879-84.
Earls
Jellicoe GCB OM GCVO PC (the Right Honourable Sir John Rushworth Jellicoe), 1st Viscount Jellicoe of Scapa (UK 1918), and Earl Jellicoe and Viscount Brocas of Southampton (UK 1925). Jellicoe led the Grand Fleet during the first two years of the First World War, being in command at the Battle of Jutland. Governor-General of New Zealand 1920-24, he died 1935. The 2nd earl lives in England, as do all the members of his family.
Liverpool GCB GCMG GBE MVO PC (the Right Honourable Sir Arthur William de Brito Savile Foljambe). 2nd Earl of Liverpool (UK 1905), Viscount Hawkesbury (UK 1905), Baron Hawkesbury (UK 1893). Born 1870, succeeded 1907, died 1941. The Earl of Liverpool was Comptroller of the Royal Household 1909-12. He was appointed Governor of New Zealand 1912-17, and was the first Governor-General, 1917-20.
Mount Edgcumbe (the Right Honourable Robert Charles Edgcumbe), 8th Earl of Mount Edgcumbe (GB 1789), 8th Viscount Mount Edgcumbe and Valletort (GB 1781), 10th Baron Edgcumbe of Mount Edgcumbe in the county of Cornwall (GB 1742). Succeeded 1982. His lordship lives in the United Kingdom. The Edgcumbe family, one of the most distinguished in the west country, have lived in New Zealand since the 1860s although the current earl and his immediate predecessor both went to England on succeeding to the title. Members of his family live in both New Zealand and England, with his heir in New Zealand.
Onslow GCMG (the Right Honourable Sir William Hillier Onslow). 4th Earl of Onslow (UK 1801), Viscount Cranley (UK 1801), Baron Onslow (GB 1716), Baron Cranley (GB 1776), Baronet (Eng 1660). Born 1853, died 1911. The Earl of Onslow was Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade, Governor of New Zealand 1889-92, Under Secretary of State for India 1895-1900, for Colonies 1900-3, and President of the Board of Agriculture with Cabinet rank 1903-5. His last posts were as Chairman of Committees and Deputy Speaker of the House of Lords 1906-11.
Orford DL JP (the Right Honourable Robert Horace Walpole) 5th Earl of Orford (UK 1806). His Lordship was born 1854, succeeded an uncle in 1894, and died 1931. He was survived by one daughter. The Baronies of Walpole, of Walpole (GB 1723) and Walpole of Wolterton (GB 1756) devolved on a cousin. The Earl of Orford lived at Orford Lodge, 8-10 Earls Court, Hill Park, Manurewa. He also had residences at Wolterton Park, Norwich, Norfolk, and Rosemoor, Torrington, Devon, and owned 9,000 acres in the United Kingdom.
Ranfurly GCMG (the Right Honourable Sir Uchter John Mark Knox). 5th Earl of Ranfurly (Ireland 1831), Viscount Northland (Ireland 1791), Baron Ranfurly (UK 1826), Baron Welles (Ireland 1781). Born 1856, died 1933. The Earl of Ranfurley was Lord in Waiting 1895-97, and Governor of New Zealand 1897-1904.
Viscounts
Bledisloe GCMG KBE PC (the Right Honourable Sir Charles Bathurst), Viscount Bledisloe, and Baron Bledisloe, of Lydney, county of Gloucester, created 1935. Governor-General 1930-35, died 1958. Created viscount for services in New Zealand. The 2nd viscount lives in England, as does his family.
Bolingbroke and St John (the Right Honourable Sir Kenneth Oliver Musgrave St John), 7th Viscount Bolingbroke and Baron St John of Lydiard Tregoze (GB 1712), 8th Viscount St John and Baron St John of Battersea (GB 1712), and 11th baronet (England 1611). Succeeded 1974. His lordship lives at 15 Tonbridge Mews, Shrewsbury Street, Christchurch (PO Box 25 069).
Cobham KG GCMG GCVO TD PC (Lieutenant-Colonel the Right Honourable Sir Charles John Lyttelton). 10th Viscount Cobham (GB 1718), Baron Lyttelton (GB 1756 renewed 1794), Baron Westcote (GB 1776), Baronet (Eng 1618). Born 1909, succeeded 1949, and died 1977. Viscount Cobham was Governor-General of New Zealand 1957-62, and Lord Lieutenant of Worcestershire 1963-74. He was Lord Steward of the Household 1967-72, and Chancellor of the Order of the Garter 1972-77.
Galway GCMG DSO OBE PC (the Right Honourable Sir George Vere Arundell Monckton-Arundell). 8th Viscount Galway (GB 1727), Baron Killard (GB 1727), Baron Monckton (UK 1887). Viscount Galway was born 1882, succeeded 1931, and died 1943. He was Governor-General of New Zealand 1935-41, and Lord Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire 1941-43.
Oxfuird (the Right Honourable Sir John Donald Alexander Arthur Makgill), 12th Viscount of Oxfuird (Scotland 1651), 12th Lord Macgill of Cousland (Scotland 1651) and 12th baronet (Nova Scotia 1627). Born 1899, the eldest son of Sir George Makgill, Bt (de jure 11th Viscount), his claim to the title was established 1977. Viscount Oxfuird died 1986. His heir lives in the United Kingdom, as did his lordship in later life.
Barons
de Villiers (the Right Honourable Arthur Percy de Villiers), 3rd Baron de Villiers, of Wynberg, Cape of Good Hope (UK 1910). Succeeded 1934. His lordship lives in New Zealand (PO Box 66, Kumeu, Auckland). The barony was created for the first Chief Justice of South Africa.
Fairlie GCMG (Rear Admiral the Right Honourable Sir David Boyle), 1st Baron Fairlie, of Fairlie, in the county of Ayr (UK 1897). He succeeded as the 7th Earl of Glasgow 1890. Governor of New Zealand 1892-97. The 4th baron (and tenth earl) lives in the United Kingdom.
Freyberg VC GCMG KCB KBE DSO PC (Lieutenant-General the Right Honourable Sir Bernard Cyril Freyberg), 1st Baron Freyberg, of Wellington, New Zealand, and of Munstead in the county of Surrey (UK 1951). Governor-General 1946-52, died 1963. The 3rd baron lives in England, as does his family. Lord Freyberg's armorial bearings are described in the New Zealand Armorist 32.
Islington GCMG DSO PC (the Right Honourable Sir John Poynder Dickson-Poynder), 1st Baron Islington, of Islington, in the county of London (UK 1910). He succeeded to the family baronetcy 1884. Governor of New Zealand 1910-12. The title is now extinct.
Lyveden (the Right Honourable Jack Leslie Vernon), 7th Baron Lyveden, of Lyveden in the county of Northampton (UK 1859). Succeeded 1999. The Vernon family have lived in New Zealand since the late nineteenth century, the present baron at 17 Carlton Street, Te Aroha.
Newall GCB OM GCMG CBE AM (Marshal of the Royal Air Force the Right Honourable Sir Cyril Louis Norton Newall), 1st Baron Newall, of Clifton-upon-Dunsmoor in the county of Warwick (UK 1946). Governor-General of New Zealand 1941-46, died 1963. The 2nd baron lives in England, as does his family.
Norrie GCMG GCVO CB DSO MC (Lieutenant-General the Right Honourable Sir Charles Willoughby Moke Norrie), 1st Baron Norrie, of Wellington, New Zealand, and of Upton, Gloucestershire (UK 1957). Governor-General 1952-57, died 1977. The 2nd baron lives in England, as does his family.
Plunket KCMG KCVO KBE (the Right Honourable Sir William Lee Plunket). 5th Baron Plunket (UK 1827). Born 1864, the son of the Archbishop of Dublin and Primate of Ireland. Lord Plunket died 1920. After brief service in the Diplomatic Service 1889-91, he was Private Secretary to Lord Lieutenant of Ireland from 1891. Lord Plunket was Governor of New Zealand 1904-10.
Rosmead GCMG PC (the Right Honourable Sir Hercules George Robert Robinson). Born 1824, and dying 1897, he had been created a baron in 1896. Lord Rosmead was Lieutenant-Governor of St Kitts 1855, and then Governor of Hong Kong 1859-65, Ceylon 1865-72, New South Wales 1872-78, New Zealand 1879-80, Cape Colony 1880-89, and South Africa 1895-97.
Rutherford OM FRS (the Right Honourable Sir Ernest Rutherford), 1st Baron Rutherford, of Nelson, New Zealand, and of Cambridge in the county of Cambridgeshire (UK 1931). Born 1871, died 1937. The title became extinct on his death
Stanmore GCMG (the Right Honourable Sir Arthur Charles Hamilton Gordon). Born 1829, and dying 1912, he was created a baron in 1893. Lord Stanmore was Lieutenant-Governor of New Brunswick 1861-66, then Governor of Trinidad 1866-70, Mauritius 1870-74, Fiji 1875-80, New Zealand 1880-82, and Ceylon 1883-90.
Barons (life peers)
Ballantrae KT GCMG GCVO DSO OBE (Brigadier the Right Honourable Sir Bernard Edward Fergusson), Baron Ballantrae, of Auchairne, Ayrshire, and of The Bay of Islands (UK 1972). Governor-General 1962-67, died 1980. His lordship was very active in public life after his retirement from New Zealand, and his peerage may have been related to that. He was the younger son of General Sir Charles (Governor-General 1924-30), and grandson of Sir James (Governor 1873-74). Lord Ballantrae's armorial bearings are described in the New Zealand Armorist 65.
Cooke of Thorndon KBE PC (the Right Honourable Sir Robin Brunskill Cooke), Baron Cooke of Thorndon, of Wellington in New Zealand and of Cambridge in the county of Cambridgeshire (UK 1996). His Lordship received a life peerage to enable him to sit in the House of Lords in a judicial capacity. Address- 4, Homewood Crescent, Karori, Wellington; House of Lords, London SW1A 0PW, United Kingdom. Lord Cooke of Thorndon's armorial bearings are described in the New Zealand Armorist 64.
Elworthy KG GCB CBE DSO LVO DFC AFC (Marshal of the Royal Air Force the Right Honourable Sir Samuel Charles Elworthy), Baron Elworthy, of Timaru in New Zealand, and of Elworthy in the county of Somerset (UK 1972). His lordship was born in Timaru, and retired to New Zealand after a long and distinguished career in the Royal Air Force. He died in 1993. Lord Elworthy's armorial bearings are described in the New Zealand Armorist 25.
Grey of Naunton GCMG GCVO OBE (the Right Honourable Sir Ralph Francis Alnwick Grey), Baron Grey of Naunton, of Naunton in the county of Gloucester (UK 1968). His lordship, who was born in New Zealand, enjoyed a long and successful career in Her Majesty's Overseas Civil Service.
Porritt GCMG GCVO CBE (Brigadier the Right Honourable Sir Arthur Espie Porritt), Baron Porritt, of Wanganui in New Zealand, and of Hampstead (UK 1963). Created 1973 UK baronet, of Hampstead in the county of London. His lordship was born in Wanganui, and enjoyed world-wide eminence as a surgeon. He was Governor-General of New Zealand 1967-72. The peerage was conferred upon his lordship upon his retirement, and the baronetcy as President of Royal College of Surgeons. He died in 1994. Lord Porritt's armorial bearings are described in the New Zealand Armorist 10 and 64.