EARL DUDLEY DEAD

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 493, 30 June 1932, Page 1

EARL DUDLEY DEAD

Soldier and Statesman Passes. MOST POPULAR VICEROY. U-iited Press Assn.—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. (Received June 30, 12.30 p.m. LONDON, June 29. The death is announced of the Earl of Dudley, soldier and statesman. William Humble Ward, soldier, statesman and second Earl of Dudley, was born 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 he travelled a great deal, going round the world and visiting the chief British Dominions, as well as South America. Entering politics on his return, 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 he served in the South African War as A.A.G. to the Imperial Yeomanry. In 1902 he was appointed Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, and during his four 3’ears of office proved to be one of the most popular Viceroys that country had had for many y-ears. He handled problems with sv’mpathy and knowledge, and at the end of his term was made chairman of the Royal Commission on Congestion in Ireland. In 1908 he was appointed Governor-Gen-eral of Australia, and in the three \ T ears he 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 he 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 candidate was Oliver Baldwin, the Socialist son of the Conservative ex-Premier. To celebrate his victory a fete was held in the castle grounds by the Labour Party, and certain restrictions affecting the general public were imposed. The earl held that these constituted a breach of the trust, and won an action which he brought against the corporation.

Lord Dudley’s first wife, a daughter of Charles Gurney, was drowned in 1920. In 1924 he married Mrs Lionel Monckton, the talented actress known as Gertie Millar. In his later years he organised various matches between the best amateur and professional golfers.