Robert Francis Peel CMG (30 April 1874 – 10 August 1924) was an English soldier, Conservative politician and Governor of Saint Helena from 1920 until his death in 1924.[1]
Robert Francis Peel | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Governor of Saint Helena | |
| In office August 1920 – August 1924 | |
| Member of Parliament for Woodbridge | |
| In office January 1910 – July 1920 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 30 April 1874 |
| Died | 10 August 1924 (aged 50) |
| Relations | Great-nephew of Sir Robert Peel |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Branch/service | British Army |
| Years of service | 1898–1919 |
| Rank | Colonel |
| Unit | Coldstream Guards (1899-1909) East Surrey Regiment (1909-1919) |
| Battles/wars | Second Boer War First World War |
| Awards | Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George |
He was the grandson of William Yates Peel, great-grandson of Sir Robert Peel and a great-nephew of Prime Minister Sir Robert Peel. He attended Harrow School.[1]
Peel was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Coldstream Guards on 2 February 1898, and promoted to lieutenant on 1 April 1899.[2] He served with the 1st battalion of the regiment in South Africa during the Second Boer War, and returned with his regiment in July 1902, following the end of the war.[3] He was promoted captain in 1906.[1] After retiring from the regular army in 1909, he was commissioned Major in the part-time 4th (Special Reserve) Battalion, the East Surrey Regiment,[4] becoming a Lieutenant Colonel in March 1913.[5] He continued to serve during the First World War, gaining the rank of brevet Colonel.[1]
In 1903, Peel married Alice Charlton-Meyrick, daughter of Sir Thomas Charlton-Meyrick.[1]
After failing to get elected for Mid Northamptonshire in the 1906 general election,[6] Peel served as Member of Parliament for Woodbridge, Suffolk from January 1910.[1] In July 1920, he resigned his seat to become Governor and Commander-in-Chief of St Helena.[7] In June 1922 he was appointed a companion of the Order of St Michael and St George.[8] He continued to serve as governor until his death on 10 August 1924.[1]
There is a memorial plaque to Peel in the East Surrey Regimental Chapel in All Saints Church, Kingston upon Thames, Surrey.
References edit
- ^ a b c d e f g "Peel, Col Robert Francis". Who Was Who. A & C Black. 1920–2008. Retrieved 8 February 2009.
- ^ Hart's Army list, 1903
- ^ "The Army in South Africa - Troops returning Home". The Times. No. 36812. London. 5 July 1902. p. 8.
- ^ "No. 28274". The London Gazette. 27 July 1909. p. 5724.
- ^ "No. 28696". The London Gazette. 4 March 1913. p. 1637.
- ^ Northampton Mercury, Friday 23 February 1906, p 1
- ^ No. 13626 The Edinburgh Gazette 24 August 1920. p. 1900
- ^ "No. 32716". The London Gazette (Supplement). 2 June 1922. p. 4323.