Geoffrey FitzClarence, 3rd Earl of Munster
Encyclopedia
Geoffrey FitzClarence, 3rd Earl of Munster
, (18 July 1859 - 2 February 1902), was an English
aristocrat, and the great-grandson of King William IV
by his mistress Dorothea Jordan.
(19 May 1824 - 30 April 1901) and Wilhelmina Kennedy-Erskine (27 June 1830 - 9 October 1906). His parents were first cousins, thus making Geoffrey a great-grandson of William IV twice over. His grandfather on his paternal side was Lord George Augustus FitzClarence
and his grandmother on his maternal side was Lady Augusta FitzClarence, who were brother and sister.
Geoffrey was the third son of nine children. His elder brothers, Edward and Lionel, both died before reaching their majority. Edward died at the age of 14, Lionel as a young child.
as a Captain with the King's Royal Rifle Corps
, 2nd Battalion. He took part in the Second Anglo-Afghan War
in 1879 at the age of 19, and the First Boer War
in 1881. He was commissioned as a Major with the Royal Scots Lothian Regiment, 3rd Battalion and saw action in the Second Boer War
from 1899-1902. He received the Distinguished Service Order
(DSO). It was during this last engagement that he received notice of his father's death and his succession to the Munster title.
He never returned to England
to take his place, dying in South Africa
just nine months after succeeding his father, at the age of 42. Given that he never married and had no children, the title passed to his brother Aubrey.
Earl of Munster
Earl of Munster is a title that has been created twice, once in the Peerage of Ireland and once in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. The first creation came in the Peerage of Ireland in 1789 in favour of Prince William, the third son of King George III. He was made Duke of Clarence and St Andrews...
, (18 July 1859 - 2 February 1902), was an English
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
aristocrat, and the great-grandson of King William IV
William IV of the United Kingdom
William IV was King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and of Hanover from 26 June 1830 until his death...
by his mistress Dorothea Jordan.
Family
Born Geoffrey George Gordon FitzClarence, he was the son of William FitzClarence, 2nd Earl of MunsterWilliam FitzClarence, 2nd Earl of Munster
William FitzClarence, 2nd Earl of Munster, was an English aristocrat, and the grandson of King William IV.-Family:...
(19 May 1824 - 30 April 1901) and Wilhelmina Kennedy-Erskine (27 June 1830 - 9 October 1906). His parents were first cousins, thus making Geoffrey a great-grandson of William IV twice over. His grandfather on his paternal side was Lord George Augustus FitzClarence
George FitzClarence, 1st Earl of Munster
George Augustus Frederick FitzClarence, 1st Earl of Munster PC , was the eldest natural son of William IV of the United Kingdom and his long-time mistress Dorothy Jordan....
and his grandmother on his maternal side was Lady Augusta FitzClarence, who were brother and sister.
Geoffrey was the third son of nine children. His elder brothers, Edward and Lionel, both died before reaching their majority. Edward died at the age of 14, Lionel as a young child.
Military
Geoffrey was commissioned into the British ArmyBritish 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...
as a Captain with the King's Royal Rifle Corps
King's Royal Rifle Corps
The King's Royal Rifle Corps was a British Army infantry regiment, originally raised in colonial North America as the Royal Americans, and recruited from American colonists. Later ranked as the 60th Regiment of Foot, the regiment served for more than 200 years throughout the British Empire...
, 2nd Battalion. He took part in the Second Anglo-Afghan War
European influence in Afghanistan
The European influence in Afghanistan refers to political, social, and sometimes imperialistic influence several European nations have had on this historical development of Afghanistan.-Rise of Dost Mohammad Khan:...
in 1879 at the age of 19, and the First Boer War
First Boer War
The First Boer War also known as the First Anglo-Boer War or the Transvaal War, was fought from 16 December 1880 until 23 March 1881-1877 annexation:...
in 1881. He was commissioned as a Major with the Royal Scots Lothian Regiment, 3rd Battalion and saw action in the Second Boer War
Second Boer War
The Second Boer War was fought from 11 October 1899 until 31 May 1902 between the British Empire and the Afrikaans-speaking Dutch settlers of two independent Boer republics, the South African Republic and the Orange Free State...
from 1899-1902. He received the Distinguished Service Order
Distinguished Service Order
The Distinguished Service Order is a military decoration of the United Kingdom, and formerly of other parts of the British Commonwealth and Empire, awarded for meritorious or distinguished service by officers of the armed forces during wartime, typically in actual combat.Instituted on 6 September...
(DSO). It was during this last engagement that he received notice of his father's death and his succession to the Munster title.
He never returned to England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
to take his place, dying in South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
just nine months after succeeding his father, at the age of 42. Given that he never married and had no children, the title passed to his brother Aubrey.
Titles
- Viscount FitzClarence (1870)
- 3rd Earl of Munster (30 April 1901)
- 3rd Baron Tewksbury (30 April 1901)