ARISTOCRAT OF FRANCE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 75, Issue 119, 23 May 1932, Page 9

ARISTOCRAT OF FRANCE

«. NOBLE ANCESTORS NOW RESIDENT AT FOXTON. FAIIF.Z 'S INTERESTING BISTORT The grandson of a former camp of Napoleon, Mr. F. de Ridder, and his wife, of Foxton, celebrate'l their golden wedding recently. Mr. de Ridder, whoso correct name is Fredrick de Ridder, Marquis re Renescure, Baron do Bourbourg and Monthiver, is aged 80 years, and has lived for the past 48 years at Foxton, of which he is reputed to be the oldest resident. According to ancient French documents in his possession, the marquis’ ancestors once hold the chateau de Reuoscure in Franco. Ho is the oldest, grandson of the late l.ouis Edward de Ridder. Marquis de Renescure. The first patent of nobility dates from 78". when it was granted for bravery shown in saving the life of Charles Martel, then king of what was called Franco, at the battle of Neustrie. Tho patent continued to 171.1, when the present marquis’ great-grandfather was created Marquis de Renescure. Tho incident in which King Charles Martel’s life was saved is described in “Horeward the Wako.” When he was aide-de-camp to Napoleon. the present marquis’ grandfather was taken prisoner while engaged in fighting two British frigates. He found his vessel was sinking and to save tho lives of his men ho surrendered and became a prisoner on j parole at Dovonport. He was oventu- ! ally transferred to Bristol, becoming i French master at Bishop’s College. - Bristol. Two of his brothers wore l p s» I fortunate, being beheaded in th® I French Revolution. Papers given to his son and opened i long after the older man’s death, con- | tainod records that his father was th« I head of one of the “oldest, noblest and richest families of France.’’ and i that the son had descended rights that “none on earth onn gainsay.” Louis de Ridder became a civil engineer and I was responsible for tho construction, of the Great Western Railway, working ! in conjunction with another engineer. His death was caused by an unfortunate accident. \ special train was conveying him and others over ths line on a tour of inspection prior t« its opening, when ho slipped on a stop and received fatal injuries. Tho present marquis was born in the south of England, and as a. young man went to Australia. Coming to New Zealand some years later, he landed r.t Lyttelton, where he was engaged as clerk to a firm. He married a daughter of Mr. Daniel Slater, of Christchurch, afterward settling at Foxton. Ono of Mr. do Ridder’s most interesting relics is a watch made in 166,. It was once contained in a beautiful jewelled case which later was lost.