EARL OF DUDLEY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21223, 1 July 1932, Page 11

EARL OF DUDLEY.

SOLDIER AND STATESMAN.

DEATH IN ENGLAND

(Received June 30, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON. June 29. The death occurred to-day of the Earl of Dudley.

William Humble Ward, second Earl of Dudley, was bora in May, 1867, and educated at Eton. He succeeded to the earldom and the estates of about 30.000 acres on the death of his father in 1885. On leaving Eton ho travelled a great deal, going round the world and visiting the chief British Dominions as well as South America. Entering politics on his return to England he was made Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade in 1895, remaining in that office till 1902 with the exception of a year during which lie served in the South African war with the Imperial Yeomanry. Lord Dudley was appointed LordLieutenant of Ireland in 1902, and durirtg his four years of office proved to be one of the most popular Viceroys that country had had for many years. He handled problems with sympathy and knowledge, and at the end of his term was maae chairman of the Royal Commission on congestion in Ireland. In 1908 he was appointed Governor-General of Australia and in the three years ho was there made himself as well liked as he had been in Ireland. When the war began, he was given command of the Worcestershire Yeomanry and served in Egypt and Gallipoli. For a, time in 1915 he was commandant at Mudros and was then appointed to the headquarters staff of the 40th Division. In 1924 Lord Dudley granted to the corporation of the town of Dudley a lease of Dudley Castle, the ancient home of his family. The lease, which was at a nominal rental, was accompanied by conditions providing for the inspection of the ruins and the use of the grounds by the public. At the elections of May, 1929, the successful local candidalo was Mr. Oliver Baldwin, son of the Conservative ex-Primo Minister. To celebrate his victory a feto was held in the castle grounds by the Labour Party and certain restrictions affecting the public were imposed. The earl held that theso constituted a breach of the trust and won an action which ho brought against the corporation. Lord Dudley's first wife, a daughter of Mr. Charles Gurney, was drowned in 1920. In 1924 lie married Mrs. Lionel Monektoii, a talented actress, known as Gertie Millar. In his later years he organised various matches between tho best amateur and professional golfers. The heir to the earldom is Viscount Ednam, born cm January 30, 1894. Ho married in 1919 Rosemary Millicent, only daughter of the fourth Duke of Sutherland. Ho is chairman of the carl's Round Oak Works, Limited, Baggeridgo Colliery, Limited, and Edgehill, Limited. He has been a major in the Staffordshire Yeomanry, president of the Staffordshire Society, "and of the Society of British Gas Industries. Educated at Eton and Oxford >e served in the war, was wounded, gained the Military Cross and was made a Chevalier of the Legion of Honour.