Charles Torquil de Montalt Fraser
Encyclopedia
Charles Torquil de Montalt Fraser (born October 2, 1960) was High Sheriff of West Sussex
in 2006-07.
Fraser, the son of Major Michael Quintin Fraser, was educated at Temple Grove School, Rugby School
and the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst
. On graduation from Sandhurst in 1980 he was commissioned into the Life Guards
as a second lieutenant
. He saw operational duty in Northern Ireland in 1982, and was promoted to lieutenant
. He left the army
in 1986.
Since 1995 he has been heavily involved in the administration of polo in Great Britain. He was a steward of the Governing Body of Hurlingham Polo Club from 1995–2006. He has served on various committees within the sport, being chairman of the handicap committee and chairman of the development committee, overseeing the entire programme of youth polo in Great Britain, including Young England National Team SUPA. He still serves on the disciplinary committee and is on the council. He was chairman of the Cowdray Park Polo Club from 1997–2001.
He was married in July 1988 to the former Hon. Lucy Pearson (b. 11 April 1954), third daughter of the 3rd Viscount Cowdray
(1910–1995), and his eldest child and elder daughter by his second wife Elizabeth Georgiana Mather-Jackson, daughter of Sir Anthony Henry Mather Mather-Jackson, 6th Baronet
. Lucy was the wife of polo player Luis Hector Juan Sosa Basualdo between 1974 and 1980, and had two children by her first marriage, who subsequently took the name Pearson. Charles and Lucy Fraser had four daughters together. They bought Blackdown Park, near Petworth
, West Sussex, in 1996; the house has been put up for sale for £7.5 million (originally £9 million in June 2008). The Frasers separated temporarily last year, and then permanently, after Christmas and are reportedly getting a divorce.
He is involved in many Sussex organisations including:
High Sheriff of West Sussex
The High Sheriff of West Sussex is annually appointed as the sovereign's representative in West Sussex county for all matters relating to the judiciary and the maintenance of law and order.- History of the office high sheriff:...
in 2006-07.
Fraser, the son of Major Michael Quintin Fraser, was educated at Temple Grove School, Rugby School
Rugby School
Rugby School is a co-educational day and boarding school located in the town of Rugby, Warwickshire, England. It is one of the oldest independent schools in Britain.-History:...
and the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst
Royal Military Academy Sandhurst
The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst , commonly known simply as Sandhurst, is a British Army officer initial training centre located in Sandhurst, Berkshire, England...
. On graduation from Sandhurst in 1980 he was commissioned into the Life Guards
Life Guards (British Army)
The Life Guards is the senior regiment of the British Army and with the Blues and Royals, they make up the Household Cavalry.They originated in the four troops of Horse Guards raised by Charles II around the time of his restoration, plus two troops of Horse Grenadier Guards which were raised some...
as a second lieutenant
Second Lieutenant
Second lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer military rank in many armed forces.- United Kingdom and Commonwealth :The rank second lieutenant was introduced throughout the British Army in 1871 to replace the rank of ensign , although it had long been used in the Royal Artillery, Royal...
. He saw operational duty in Northern Ireland in 1982, and was promoted to lieutenant
First Lieutenant
First lieutenant is a military rank and, in some forces, an appointment.The rank of lieutenant has different meanings in different military formations , but the majority of cases it is common for it to be sub-divided into a senior and junior rank...
. He left the army
British Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
in 1986.
Since 1995 he has been heavily involved in the administration of polo in Great Britain. He was a steward of the Governing Body of Hurlingham Polo Club from 1995–2006. He has served on various committees within the sport, being chairman of the handicap committee and chairman of the development committee, overseeing the entire programme of youth polo in Great Britain, including Young England National Team SUPA. He still serves on the disciplinary committee and is on the council. He was chairman of the Cowdray Park Polo Club from 1997–2001.
Family background
Fraser comes from a multi-generational polo-playing family with ties to British India. His father Major Michael Quintin Fraser of Nashes Farm, Penshurst, Kent, England was once an adviser to the Sultan of Oman in the 1970s.He was married in July 1988 to the former Hon. Lucy Pearson (b. 11 April 1954), third daughter of the 3rd Viscount Cowdray
Viscount Cowdray
Viscount Cowdray, of Cowdray in the County of West Sussex, is a title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. It was created in 1917 for the industrialist Weetman Pearson, 1st Baron Cowdray, head of the Pearson conglomerate...
(1910–1995), and his eldest child and elder daughter by his second wife Elizabeth Georgiana Mather-Jackson, daughter of Sir Anthony Henry Mather Mather-Jackson, 6th Baronet
Jackson Baronets
There have been eight Baronetcies created for persons with the surname Jackson, one in the Baronetage of England, one in the Baronetage of Great Britain and six in the Baronetage of the United Kingdom...
. Lucy was the wife of polo player Luis Hector Juan Sosa Basualdo between 1974 and 1980, and had two children by her first marriage, who subsequently took the name Pearson. Charles and Lucy Fraser had four daughters together. They bought Blackdown Park, near Petworth
Petworth
Petworth is a small town and civil parish in the Chichester District of West Sussex, England. It is located at the junction of the A272 east-west road from Heathfield to Winchester and the A283 Milford to Shoreham-by-Sea road. Some twelve miles to the south west of Petworth along the A285 road...
, West Sussex, in 1996; the house has been put up for sale for £7.5 million (originally £9 million in June 2008). The Frasers separated temporarily last year, and then permanently, after Christmas and are reportedly getting a divorce.
He is involved in many Sussex organisations including:
- Governor, Midhurst Grammar SchoolMidhurst Grammar SchoolMidhurst Grammar School was a comprehensive upper school in Midhurst, West Sussex. It served pupils aged 13 to 18 who usually joined the school from one of the local intermediate schools. It was replaced in 2009 by the new Midhurst Rother Academy.-History:...
- Chairman and Governor, Conifers School
- Chairman, Lurgashall Cricket Club
- Trustee, Arundel Castle Trust
- Instructor, Duke of Edinburgh Award
- Vice President, Cowdray Park Polo Club
- Sussex Wildlife TrustSussex Wildlife TrustThe Sussex Wildlife Trust is a wildlife trust and a registered charity covering the counties of East Sussex and West Sussex, England. The trust's Chief Executive is Tony Whitbread....
- The Chiddingfold, Leconfield and Cowdray Hunt
- Winstons Wish Charity