Thomas William Coke, 3rd Earl of Leicester GCVO CMG TD (20 July 1848 – 19 November 1941), known as Viscount Coke until 1909, was a British peer and soldier.[1]
The Earl of Leicester | |
|---|---|
  | |
| Lord-Lieutenant of Norfolk | |
| In office 3 September 1906 – 1 May 1929 | |
| Preceded by | The Earl of Leicester |
| Succeeded by | Russell James Colman |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Thomas William Coke 20 July 1848 Holkham, Norfolk, England |
| Died | 19 November 1941 (aged 93) Holkham, Norfolk, England |
| Spouse | |
| Children |
|
| Parent(s) | Thomas Coke, 2nd Earl of Leicester Juliana Whitbread |
Biography
edit
Leicester was the eldest son of Thomas Coke, 2nd Earl of Leicester, by his first wife Juliana (née Whitbread).
He was a Colonel in the 2nd Battalion of the Scots Guards and served in Egypt in 1882, and at Suakin in 1885. Having retired from the regular army, he was appointed lieutenant-colonel in command of the Norfolk Artillery Militia on 21 February 1894.[1] Following the outbreak of the Second Boer War in late 1899, the militia regiment was embodied in May 1900, and around 100 men were sent to South Africa under the command of Lord Coke. After peace was declared in May 1902, they left Cape Town on board the SS Walmer Castle in late June,[2] and arrived at Southampton the following month. For his service in the war, he was mentioned in despatches (including the final despatch by Lord Kitchener dated 23 June 1902[3]), and was made a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG) in the October 1902 South African Honours list.[4] In January 1903 he was appointed an Aide-de-Camp for Militia to the King.[5]
He was made a Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order (GCVO) in 1908.[1][6]
Lord Leicester held the position of Lord-Lieutenant of Norfolk from 1906 to 1929. He succeeded his father to the earldom and Holkham Hall in 1909.[1]
Personal life
editLord Leicester married the Hon. Alice Emily White, daughter of Luke White, 2nd Baron Annaly, on 26 August 1879. They had five children:[1]
- Thomas William Coke, 4th Earl of Leicester (9 July 1880 – 21 August 1949)
- Lieutenant Hon. Arthur George Coke (6 April 1882 – 21 May 1915), killed in action whilst serving with the Royal Naval Air Service. He is commemorated on the Helles Memorial at Gallipoli.[7] Father of Anthony Coke, 6th Earl of Leicester.
- Lady Marjory Alice Coke (1884 – 24 December 1946), married Sir North Dalrymple-Hamilton[8]
- Hon. Roger Coke, AFC (28 December 1886 – 14 October 1960), an officer in the Royal Air Force.
- Lady Alexandra Marie Bridget Coke (1891–1984), married David Ogilvy, 12th Earl of Airlie in 1910
Alice Coke, Countess of Leicester was later appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire. She died in 1936. Lord Leicester survived her by five years and died in November 1941, aged 93. He was succeeded the earldom by his eldest son Thomas.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f (Hesilrige 1921, p. 550)
- ^ "The Army in South Africa – Troops returning home". The Times. No. 36811. London. 4 July 1902. p. 9.
- ^ "No. 27459". The London Gazette. 29 July 1902. pp. 4835–4841.
- ^ "No. 27490". The London Gazette. 31 October 1902. p. 6910.
- ^ "No. 27513". The London Gazette. 6 January 1903. p. 106.
- ^ "No. 28194". The London Gazette (Supplement). 9 November 1908. p. 8162.
- ^ "Casualty Details".
- ^ "Obituary: Sir N. Dalrymple-Hamilton". The Times. The Times Digital Archive. 17 February 1953. p. 11.
Sources
edit- Hesilrige, Arthur G. M. (1921). Debrett's Peerage and Titles of courtesy. 160A, Fleet street, London, UK: Dean & Son. p. 550.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location (link) - Kidd, Charles, Williamson, David (editors). Debrett's Peerage and Baronetage (1990 edition). New York: St Martin's Press, 1990, [page needed]
- Leigh Rayment's Peerage Pages [self-published source] [better source needed]
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