Anthony Philip Harbord-Hamond, 11th Baron Suffield, MC (19 June 1922 – 8 December 2011), was a British peer, soldier and politician of the Conservative Party.
Tony Harbord-Hamond was born in London, a son of Admiral Richard Harbord, 10th Baron Suffield (1865–1951), and Nina Crawfuird Hutchinson.[1] His father married at the age of 47; he was 57 years old when his son was born.
Anthony Harbord-Hamond attended Eton College. He joined the Army in 1942 as an officer in the Coldstream Guards, serving in the Second World War in North African and Italy. He would remain in the army for more than 20 years. He received a Military Cross for his actions during the rebellion in Malaya in 1950, the same year he was also decorated as an Officer of the Dutch Order of Orange-Nassau.[2] Subsequently, he served in England and Germany. He retired from active duty in 1961 or 1964, according to other sources.
From 1973 to 1992, he was member of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms, the Queen's Bodyguard. In 1977, he became president of the Norfolk County Cricket Club.[3]
He worked as a farmer in Binham. He is also known as an artist, particularly for watercolours of landscapes and country houses in Norfolk. The exhibition of 1989 in London was a big success.
Upon the death of his father in February 1951, he inherited his title Baron Suffield and his seat in the House of Lords where he represented the Conservative Party. His maiden speech was on 19 November 1963 an Address In Reply To Her Majesty's Most Gracious Speech.
He made irregular contributions. In 1965 he spoke about the Army. In 1984 he made two contributions to the Health and Social Security Bill. In 1986 he gave a speech on the Building Societies Bill. In 1989 he commented twice on the potential registration of dogs. In 1993 he wrote a reply. His last speech was in January 1995.
He lost his seat by the introduction of the House of Lords Act 1999.
Suffield was married on 16 January 1952 to Elizabeth Eve Edgedale (born 28 August 1926, died 1995).[4] They had four children; three sons and one daughter:[5]
Suffield died on 8 December 2011 at the age of 89 years. He was succeeded in the barony and baronetcy by his eldest son, Charles. A family dispute arose after his death.
Escutcheon: | Quarterly: 1st and 4th, quarterly Azure and Gules four Lions rampant Argent and in the centre an Imperial Crown Or (Harbord); 2nd and 3rd, Argent a Fleur-de-lis Gules (Morden) |
Crest: | On a Chapeau Gules turned up Ermine a Lion couchant Argent |
Supporters: | Dexter: a Lion Or charged on the shoulder with a Fleur-de-lis Gules and gorged with a Crown Flory Chain reflexed over the back Azure; Sinister: a Leopard guardant proper gorged with a similar Coronet and Chain Or |
Motto: | Aequanimiter (Even minded) [6] |