The Right Honourable
The Viscount Knollys
GCMG, MBE, DFC
Photograph of Knollys, on board HMS Bermuda, 22 April 1943
Governor of Bermuda
In office
1941–1943
Personal details
Born
Edward George William Tyrwhitt Knollys

(1895-01-16)16 January 1895
Died3 December 1966(1966-12-03) (aged 71)
London, England
RelationsLord Berners (cousin)
Vashon James Wheeler (cousin)
Parent(s)Francis Knollys, 1st Viscount Knollys
Hon. Ardyn Mary Tyrwhitt
EducationHarrow School
Alma materNew College, Oxford

Edward George William Tyrwhitt Knollys, 2nd Viscount Knollys, GCMG, MBE, DFC (16 January 1895 – 3 December 1966) was a British peer, public servant, and businessman. He was Governor of Bermuda from 1941 to 1943.

Early life

The eldest son of Francis Knollys, 1st Viscount Knollys, Private Secretary to the Sovereign, and of Lady Knollys (formerly the Honourable Ardyn Mary Tyrwhitt, daughter of Sir Henry Tyrwhitt, 3rd Baronet and Harriet Tyrwhitt, 12th Baroness Berners).[1]

Knollys was educated at Harrow School and New College, Oxford. He was a page of honour to King Edward VII from 1904 to 1910 and to King George V from 1910 to 1911, carrying the King's train at the latter's coronation in 1911.[2][3]

Career

Photograph of Knollys, on board HMS Bermuda, 22 April 1943

He fought in the World War I, gaining the rank of Captain in the Queen's Westminsters of the Territorial Army (part of the British Army).[4]

Upon the death of his father on 15 August 1924, he succeeded as the 2nd Viscount Knollys, of Caversham, and 2nd Baron Knollys, of Caversham.[5] The Viscounts Knollys are members of the prominent Knollys family (pronounced "Nohlz") and are descended in the senior male line from William Knollys, 1st Earl of Banbury.[4]

From 1941 to 1943, he served as the Governor and Commander-in-Chief of Bermuda,[6][7][8] after which he served as chairman of the British Overseas Airways Corporation between 1943 and 1947. He was a director of Barclays Bank and was chairman of Vickers between 1956 and 1962,[9] also serving as chairman of Employer's Liability Assurance Corporation in 1960.[4]

Awards and honours

Lord Knollys was awarded the Croix de Guerre, the Distinguished Flying Cross, was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire and a Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George in 1941 and Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George in 1952.[4]

Personal life

On 11 October 1928, he was married to Margaret Mary Josephine Coats, daughter of Sir Stuart Coats, 2nd Baronet and Jane Muir Greenlees.[10] Her brother, James Coats, married Lady Amy Gordon-Lennox (eldest daughter of Charles Gordon-Lennox, 8th Duke of Richmond). Together they were the parents of:[4]

Lord Knollys died at a nursing home in London on 3 December 1966.[1] He was succeeded in his titles by his only son, David.[12][13]

References

  1. ^ a b Times, Special to The New York (4 December 1966). "LORD KNOLLYS, 71, 'FLYING PEER,'DIES; Former B.O.A.C. Chairman Also Led English Steel". The New York Times. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  2. ^ Profile, ukwhoswho.com. Accessed 29 July 2023. (subscription required)
  3. ^ Portraits of Edward George William Tyrwhitt Knollys, 2nd Viscount Knollys at the National Portrait Gallery, London
  4. ^ a b c d e f Mosley, Charles, editor. Burke's Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage, 107th edition, 3 volumes. Wilmington, Delaware, U.S.A.: Burke's Peerage (Genealogical Books) Ltd, 2003, volume 1, page 835.
  5. ^ "No. 27455". The London Gazette. 18 July 1902. p. 4587.
  6. ^ TIMES, Special Cable to THE NEW YORK (28 August 1941). "KNOLLYS APPOINTED BERMUDA GOVERNOR; Viscount Is Named to Succeed Lieutenant General Bernard". The New York Times. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  7. ^ TIMES, Special Cable to THE NEW YORK (11 January 1942). "KNOLLYS OFF TO CAPITAL; Bermuda Governor to Discuss Problems of Our Bases". The New York Times. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  8. ^ Times, Cable To the New York (15 June 1943). "BERMUDA'S GOVERNOR CITES IMPROVEMENT; Knollys Warns Legislature to Revise Taxation Basis". The New York Times. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  9. ^ "VICKERS HEAD TO RESIGN; Gen. Weeks Will Be Succeeded in May by Viscount Knollys". The New York Times. 16 November 1955. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  10. ^ "VISCOUNT KNOLLYS TO WED MISS COATS; Fiancee a Daughter of Sir Stuart Coats--Related to New York Family". The New York Times. 6 March 1928. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  11. ^ Burke's Genealogical and Heraldic History of the Peerage, Baronetage, and Knightage. Burke's Peerage Limited. 1963. p. 1388. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  12. ^ "New county role for Lady Romney revealed". Lynn News.
  13. ^ "Obituary: 'Exceptional' Viscountess Knollys OBE dies aged 84". Eastern Daily Press. Retrieved 26 October 2022.
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