Vere Fane, 14th Earl of Westmorland
Encyclopedia
Lieutenant-Commander Vere Anthony Francis Fane, 14th Earl of Westmorland (25 March 1893 – 12 May 1948), styled Lord Burghersh until 1922, was a British peer.
Styled Lord Burghersh from birth, he was the eldest son of Anthony Fane, 13th Earl of Westmorland, by Lady Sybil Mary
, daughter of Robert St Clair-Erskine, 4th Earl of Rosslyn
. He served in the Royal Navy
during the First World War and was present at the Battle of Jutland
aboard The Lion, Lord Beatty
's flagship. Noted as a "sporting peer", he succeeded his father in the earldom in 1922, when he began his association with horse racing. Having always been a keen rider to hounds he now raced as an amateur both on the flat and under National Hunt rules. He also owned and trained race horses, having a particularly successful season in 1923 when he trained 23 winners. In 1924 Royal Chancellor won him the Scottish Grand National
.
Having visited America to study business methods he began a business career in 1929 and was elected to the boards of two energy companies. He retired from training in 1931 but continued his sporting interests, which included hunting, boxing
, shooting
and in his later years golf
: he was also on the board of Arsenal Football Club.
Lord Westmorland married the Honourable Diana, daughter of Thomas Lister, 4th Baron Ribblesdale
and widow of Arthur Capel
, in 1923. They had two sons, of whom the elder, David
, succeeded him; the younger son was the author Julian Fane. Lord Westmorland died at his home near Badminton
, Gloucestershire
, on May 12, 1948, aged 55, after an illness of some three months. He was described in his obituary as being "of handsome appearance and impressive deportment". The Countess of Westmorland died in December 1983, aged 90.
Styled Lord Burghersh from birth, he was the eldest son of Anthony Fane, 13th Earl of Westmorland, by Lady Sybil Mary
Sybil Fane, Countess of Westmorland
Sybil Fane, Countess of Westmorland was a socialite and member of the British aristocracy.-Background:...
, daughter of Robert St Clair-Erskine, 4th Earl of Rosslyn
Robert St Clair-Erskine, 4th Earl of Rosslyn
Robert Francis St Clair-Erskine, 4th Earl of Rosslyn , styled Lord Loughborough until 1866, was a Scottish Conservative politician...
. He served in the Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
during the First World War and was present at the Battle of Jutland
Battle of Jutland
The Battle of Jutland was a naval battle between the British Royal Navy's Grand Fleet and the Imperial German Navy's High Seas Fleet during the First World War. The battle was fought on 31 May and 1 June 1916 in the North Sea near Jutland, Denmark. It was the largest naval battle and the only...
aboard The Lion, Lord Beatty
David Beatty, 1st Earl Beatty
Admiral of the Fleet David Richard Beatty, 1st Earl Beatty, GCB, OM, GCVO, DSO was an admiral in the Royal Navy...
's flagship. Noted as a "sporting peer", he succeeded his father in the earldom in 1922, when he began his association with horse racing. Having always been a keen rider to hounds he now raced as an amateur both on the flat and under National Hunt rules. He also owned and trained race horses, having a particularly successful season in 1923 when he trained 23 winners. In 1924 Royal Chancellor won him the Scottish Grand National
Scottish Grand National
The Scottish Grand National is a Grade 3 National Hunt steeplechase in Great Britain which is open to horses aged five years or older. It is run at Ayr, Scotland, over a distance of approximately 4 miles and 110 yards and 27 fences...
.
Having visited America to study business methods he began a business career in 1929 and was elected to the boards of two energy companies. He retired from training in 1931 but continued his sporting interests, which included hunting, boxing
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
, shooting
Shooting
Shooting is the act or process of firing rifles, shotguns or other projectile weapons such as bows or crossbows. Even the firing of artillery, rockets and missiles can be called shooting. A person who specializes in shooting is a marksman...
and in his later years golf
Golf
Golf is a precision club and ball sport, in which competing players use many types of clubs to hit balls into a series of holes on a golf course using the fewest number of strokes....
: he was also on the board of Arsenal Football Club.
Lord Westmorland married the Honourable Diana, daughter of Thomas Lister, 4th Baron Ribblesdale
Thomas Lister, 4th Baron Ribblesdale
Thomas Lister, 4th Baron Ribblesdale , was a British Liberal politician.-Background:Born in Fontainebleau, France, Ribblesdale was the eldest son of Thomas Lister, 3rd Baron Ribblesdale, and his wife Emma daughter of William Mure, and succeeded his father in the barony in 1876.-Political...
and widow of Arthur Capel
Boy Capel
Captain Arthur Edward "Boy" Capel CBE was an English polo player, possibly best-remembered for being a lover and muse of fashion designer Coco Chanel.-Biography:...
, in 1923. They had two sons, of whom the elder, David
David Fane, 15th Earl of Westmorland
David Anthony Thomas Fane, 15th Earl of Westmorland GCVO, DL , styled Lord Burghersh until 1948, was a British courtier....
, succeeded him; the younger son was the author Julian Fane. Lord Westmorland died at his home near Badminton
Badminton
Badminton is a racquet sport played by either two opposing players or two opposing pairs , who take positions on opposite halves of a rectangular court that is divided by a net. Players score points by striking a shuttlecock with their racquet so that it passes over the net and lands in their...
, Gloucestershire
Gloucestershire
Gloucestershire is a county in South West England. The county comprises part of the Cotswold Hills, part of the flat fertile valley of the River Severn, and the entire Forest of Dean....
, on May 12, 1948, aged 55, after an illness of some three months. He was described in his obituary as being "of handsome appearance and impressive deportment". The Countess of Westmorland died in December 1983, aged 90.