OBITUARY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 50, Issue 267, 25 August 1930, Page 5

OBITUARY.

DUKE OF NORTHUMBERLAND. (United Press Association—Copyright.) LONDON, August 23. The Duke of Northumberland, who had been seriously ill since undergoing an operation, is dead, aged 50. Alan lan Percy, K.G., C.8.E., M.V.0., eighth Duke of Northumberland, was horn on April 17. 1880, and succeeded to the Dukedom in 1918, as the eldest surviving son of the former Duke, his elder brother having died prematurely. As a captain (brevet lieutenant-colonel! in the Grenadier Guards he saw service in South Africa, the Sudan, and in France during the Great Wqr, when he was mentioned in dispatches. The Duke had many interests in addition to his military career, as he was one of the largest coal owners in England, and owned large estates in London. He was Lord Lieutenant of his county and Chancellor of the Durham University. With his large interest in coal-min-ing, it was inevitable that the [Duke should become much before the public iu connection with the many coal disputes that have troubled England recently. He was a prominent witness before the Sankey Commission that investigated the coal situation in 1914, and from, that time became involved in a prolonged controversy with Mr Robert Smillie, the miners’ leader, and subsequently in connection with the anti-Communist campaign. In 1924 the Duke acquired an interest in the “Morning Post,” but the newspaper was subsequently taken over by a company representing the Conservative Party- While the Duke was never active in the political sphere, lie was always a staunch supporter of the Conservatives.

His heir is Henry George Alan Percy, Earl Percy, who is 18 years of age.*