Maurice Roche, 4th Baron Fermoy explained

Honorific Prefix:The Right Honourable
The Lord Fermoy
Office:Member of Parliament for King's Lynn
Term Start:1943
Term End:1945
Predecessor:Somerset Maxwell
Successor:Frederick Wise
Term Start1:1924
Term End1:1935
Predecessor1:George Woodwark
Successor1:Somerset Maxwell
Birth Name:Edmund Maurice Burke Roche
Birth Date:1885 5, df=yes
Birth Place:London, England
Nationality:British
Alma Mater:Harvard University
Known For:Maternal grandfather of Diana, Princess of Wales
Children:
Relatives:Diana, Princess of Wales (granddaughter)

Edmund Maurice Burke Roche, 4th Baron Fermoy (15 May 1885 – 8 July 1955) was a British Conservative Party politician who held a title in the Peerage of Ireland.

Early life

Roche was born on 15 May 1885 in Chelsea, London.[1] He was the elder of twin sons of the Hon. James Roche (later 3rd Baron Fermoy) and his American wife, Frances Ellen Work.[2] The Roches separated in December 1886, with James Roche agreeing to relinquish custody of his sons to his wife's father, multi-millionaire stockbroker Frank Work, in exchange for Work paying Roche's debts.[3] From his parents' marriage, he had an elder sister, Cynthia Roche (who married Arthur Scott Burden and, after his death, Guy Fairfax Cary).[4]

He was educated at Harvard University and graduated in 1909.[5] As a condition of their inheritance, Work stipulated that Maurice and his twin brother Francis "shall assume and retain the name 'Work' in place of the name 'Roche'", and must not travel to Europe or marry a European; Maurice ignored the edicts.[6] Roche returned to England on succeeding to his father's Irish peerage in 1920. He was a naturalized American citizen, but resumed British nationality following his succession to the title.[5]

Career

He rented Park House at Sandringham, Norfolk, from the royal family. At the 1924 general election, he contested and won the local parliamentary constituency, King's Lynn, holding the seat until he stood down at the 1935 general election.[7] He was also elected the town's mayor in 1931.[8]

Later life

Lord Fermoy joined the Royal Air Force in 1939 at the start of World War II, but when the incumbent Member of Parliament (MP) for King's Lynn was killed on active service in 1943, he resigned his commission and stood for re-election.[9] He retired from politics when Parliament was dissolved for the 1945 general election.[7]

Lord Fermoy was a member of the shooting party organized by King George VI on 5 February 1952, on the grounds of Sandringham, which was the King's last full day alive.[10]

Personal life

On 17 September 1931, Lord Fermoy married Ruth Sylvia Gill at St. Devenick's, Bieldside, Aberdeenshire with a reception held at Dalhebity.[11] Ruth was the youngest daughter of Ruth (Littlejohn) Gill and Col. William Smith Gill Before his death, they were the parents of three children:

Lord Fermoy collapsed in a shop at King's Lynn, Norfolk, in June 1955 and died three weeks later.[7] He was succeeded by his only son, Edmund. Lord Fermoy is buried in the churchyard of St Mary Magdalene Church, Sandringham.

Legacy

His life was the subject of the book Lilac Days, by Gavan Naden and Maxine Riddington (HarperCollins), where it was claimed he had a 30-year affair with an American, Edith Travis.

Notes and References

  1. Williamson, D The Ancestry of Lady Diana Spencer In: Genealogist's Magazine, 1981; vol. 20 (no. 6) p. 192–199 and vol. 20 (no. 8) p. 281–282
  2. News: MRS.BURKE ROCHE DEAD HERE AT 90; Society Notable, Daughter of Frank Work, Banker--Former Wife of Third Baron Fermoy . 20 March 2023 . . 27 January 1947.
  3. https://watch.smithsonianchannel.com/video/series/million-dollar-american-princesses/34637 Million Dollar American Princesses "Cash for Class"
  4. News: Times . Special to The New York . BARON FERMOY IN NEWPORT; Former E.M. Burke-Roche's First Visit Since He Inherited Title. . 20 March 2023 . . 6 August 1923.
  5. News: Queen heads lists guests at wedding. 21 July 2013. The Montreal Gazette. 1 June 1954. Montreal.
  6. https://watch.smithsonianchannel.com/video/series/million-dollar-american-princesses/34637 Million Dollar American Princesses "Cash for Class"
  7. The Times, 9 July 1955; p. 8 col. D
  8. http://www.west-norfolk.gov.uk/Default.aspx?page=23689 The Borough Council of King's Lynn and West Norfolk
  9. News: BARON FERMOY ELECTED; Chosen British M.P. -- Churchill Backs Commentator . 20 March 2023 . . 14 February 1943.
  10. A. Michie, God Save The Queen, Wm. Sloane & Associates, p. 202 (1952).
  11. News: TIMES . Wireless to THE NEW YORK . LORD FERMOY MARRIES MISS RUTH SYLVIA GILL; Grandson of New Yorker and British M.P. Weds in Scottish Church of Bride's Family. . 20 March 2023 . . 18 September 1931.
  12. News: York . Special to The New . MARY BURKE-ROCHE WED; Queen Mother at Marriage to Anthony Berry, Kemsley Son . 20 March 2023 . . 26 November 1954.
  13. Web site: Earl Spencer pays tribute to his 'enormously fun' aunt Mary with poignant photos following her funeral . Tatler . 13 April 2023.
  14. News: Borders . William . Times . Special To the New York . PRINCE CHARLES TO WED 19-YEAR-OLD FAMILY FRIEND . 20 March 2023 . . 25 February 1981.
  15. News: Lord Fermoy Shoots Himself; Uncle of Princess of Wales . 20 March 2023 . . 20 August 1984.