LADY BURNHAM

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVIII, Issue 21555, 18 January 1940, Page 10

LADY BURNHAM

LONDON. December 22. New Zealand visitors to England who were in touch with Viscountess Burnham will remember her as a woman of ability and easy charm. They will regret to hear of her death, which occurred at Hove, Sussex, on December 20. Lady Burnham was in New -Zealand with her husband, the first Viscount Burnham, with the Im-

perial Press delegation that was en route for Australia in 1925. Lord and Lady Burnham entertained a number of New Zealanders every summer at their country house, Hall Barn, Buckinghamshire.

After Lord Burnham's death, his widow’s health failed considerably. In a life that was filled with useful activities (writes a friend), she distinguished herself by the sincerity she brought to various causes. A member of one of the eldest Irish families, Lady Burnham was a daughter of the late General Sir Henry P. de Bathe. She married the late Viscount Burnham in 1884, and helped him tirelessly in his multifarious official duties. In Parliamentary contests, in mayoral tasks at Stepney in 1907-09, and in numerous organisations she became a graceful and neatly humorous speaker. To the end she maintained her keen interest in East End affairs.

During the last war she was president of the Women’s Imperial Defence Council, which was formed in 1916 for the co-ordination of women’s effort; in addition, she gave great assistance co soldiers, and at the same time concerned herself with the promotion of good feeling between this country and France. In recognition of this the French Government presented her with the Bienfaisance Medal. She was also honoured with the medal of Queen Elizabeth of Belgium. Lady Burnham’s only child, the Hon. Mrs John Coke, died two years ago.