TRAGIC DEATH

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 39, 16 February 1931, Page 9

TRAGIC DEATH

SIR C. W. R. ROYDS

COLLAPSE AFTER WALTZ

EEHEAKSAL FOE BALL

(From "The Post's" Representative.) LONDON", 6tli January. Vice-Admiral Sir Charles "\\". I'Boyds, Acting Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police in the absence of Vifcount Byng on sick leave, was taken ill and died in the ballroom at the Savoy Hotel, London, last evening. Sir Charles, who was only 54 years of age, was attending a rehearsal of the Strauss Ball, arranged in aid of tho Maternity Services Extension National Birthday Trust Fund. Lady Boyds, a member of tho Ball Committee, was prcsont at tho time. The ballroom was crowded with dancers in costume for tho Viennese waltz, and Sir Charles, who had been partnering Mrs. I'itzmanrice, of Orkney, had just sat down when he had a heart attack. Friends wont to his assistance, and he was taken to Charing Cross Hospital, but was dead on arrival. Ojib of tho party who was with the 'Admiral in the ballroom at the time told the "Nows-Chronicle":— "Miss Cissio Sewell, who trained the artists for the waltz in 'Bitter Sweet,' was instructing well-known members of society in their parts for the ball, including Lady George Cholmondeley, the Viscountess Turness, the Marchioness of Londonderry, and Lady Margaret Spencer. Sir Charles had been clancing in evening dress, and was sitting out with some friends close to Lady Koyds. We were having a few minutes'rest when suddenly Sir Charles fell forward on his chair. This was the first time he had taken part in the waltz. Tho company immediately dispersed." STRENUOUS EXERCISE. One who was watching the rehearsal says:— It was in a setting of picturesque gaiety and happy chatter that the tragedy occurred. The ladies, rehearsing for the Strauss Ball, were wearing beautiful bustle dresses and curls of 1873, and their partners were in costumes of the same period, so that the ball-room of tho Savoy scorned like a scone of long ago. Lady George Cholmondeley, in a white bustle dress, was standing in tho middle of the floor, directing the waltaers. She lad not long since called for quicker waltz time. Suddenly there was a thud, and everybody rushed to help. It was Sir Charles Eoyds, whom 1 had noticed previously to be waltzing remarkably well. He was to have partnered Mrs. IFitzmaurice, of Orkney, at tho ball, and he had been dancing with this lady when he collapsed.

It was thought Sir Charles had merely become diz?.y through waltzing. He was assisted to a sofa and someone brought a glass of water, while Lady ißoyds supported her husband. The music stopped, and Lady FurJiess, a beautiful figure in a black and white silk gown; Lady Evelyn Guinness, the Hon. Elizabeth Grosvenor, and all the others present stood by with white, concerned faces. Later, when tlio tragic fact was known, all left the ballroom and returned to their homes.

The Marchioness of Londonderry and two of her daughters, Lady Helen and .Lady/Margaret Stewart., were also to have taken part in the Strauss waltz ■nt tlio ball, and they had been rohearsing the dance with their partners. ;

Among others who had taken part in the dancing were Miss Molly Lo Bas, dancing with Mr. Jack Coats, Miss Sara Lawrence, partnered by Mr. Robin Mayhew; the Hon. Mrs. Robert Jenkiiison, Mrs. Robin D'Erlangcr, and Mrs. Claud Leigh.

At the timo no one realised how serious was Admiral Boyds's condition, although he looked exceedingly ill. Efforts -were at once made to get a doctor. The old waltz is very much more strenuous exercise than the one-step and fox-trot of to-day, and at the reliearsal the dances wore rather prolonged. To a young person this did not mean much, but for elderly people the strain was considerable. COMMANDED THE DISCOVEEY. A keen believer in physical culture, Sir Charles was at one time Director of Physical Training and Sports in the Navy, and was a member of Captain Scott's first Antarctic Expedition in J 001-4, commanding the Discovery. Cape Boyds, where Sbaeklcton established hia base when he followed in Scott's footsteps, was called after him. Dnring the war he was in command of the battleship Emperor of India, and in 1923 he became Commodore of the Naval Barracks at Devonport. He .joined the Navy in 1892, and was specially promoted to the rank of lieutenant in 189S for the rescue of a man who fell overboard in the Baltic. At Scotland Yard he succeeded Sir James Olive. Admiral Boyds came of a house rich 5n naval distinction. He was a nephew of the late Admiral Sir Harry Rawson; a. cousin, of Admiral Sir Dudley dc Chair, Governor of New South "Wales; and a, brother of Vice-Admiral Percy Royds, the Bugby international, formerly Admiral Superintendent of Chatham Dockyard. Vice-Admiral Royds had been Deputy Commissioner to the Mctropoliiau Police since 1926, and since that I ime had frequently acted as Conirais*ioner in the absence of Lord Byng. Me was a Lancashire man, and in his 55th year. Known both in the Navy and in the police force as a strict disciplinarian, ho was, however, of a kindly nature, and popular with all ranks who served under him. WELFARE Or THE FORCE. The "Daily Telegraph" remarks:— "There will be a very real and widespread feeling of sorrow throughout the Metropolitan Police Force at the death, under tragic circumstances, of the Deputy Commissioner. Sir Charles Boyds. Tie was a strict aiseiplinarian, :\n& made no attempt to court popularity. But he certainly achieved it, bocause both officers and men realised that his sense of the importance of discipline was animated by a deep and oven affectionate regard for the true interests of the Force. He was an absolutely fair man, and it was 'always obvious that his first, consideration was the welfare of tho Force generally and tho strengthening of public confidence in it."

Sir Charles's experiences, with the British Antarctic Expedition under Captain Scott qualified him to become ii member of that select circle known its the Antarctic Dinner Club. Ho had one of the best private collections of Antarctic treasures, including stuffed penguins, water-colours by Dr. Wilson, old china from Discovery, and also the piano and organ from the ship, for he was the musician of the expedition.

Again, to quote from the "Daily Telegraph":—"Thcro was a certain measure of criticism when Sir Charles became Deputy Commissioner of Metropolitan Police in succession to Sir James Olive. When tho appointment was made by Sir William JoynsonHicks (Viscount Brentford), Home So«----l-ctary, Sir James Remnant askrd if tuc Police Force was to be 'mado tho dumping-ground for the JSTavy,' and lVf.r. Jack Hayes insisted that tho higher police officers must look on the appointment as 'a. studied insult.' Sir Ch;>rlos, .httwever, eonferttnded bis critics by U*o

conspicuous ability with which he car ried out the duties of the post."

Ho was a man of fine presence, standing well over 6ft, and there was no qncstion' about liis ability or his distinction. lie was popular with all classes. He married, in 1918, Mary, widow of Mr. Ivo Guy Rebright, and daughter of Captain Jiodney Blanc, 8.N., and had one daughter. Mrs. Koyds whs for a time on tho stage (is Miilis^ {Sheridan), appearing with Sir Grrald dv Mn.uni.-r in the ifHJ'.-lt revival of "Diplomacy/ at Wyudluun's.