Allen Bathurst, Lord Apsley facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lord Apsley
DSO MC TD DL
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| Member of Parliament for Southampton |
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| In office 1922–1929 Serving with Edwin Perkins
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| Preceded by |
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| Succeeded by |
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| Member of Parliament for Bristol Central |
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| In office 1931–1942 |
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| Preceded by | Joseph Alpass |
| Succeeded by | Lady Apsley |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Allen Algernon Bathurst
3 August 1895 |
| Died | 17 December 1942 (aged 47) Malta |
| Cause of death | Plane crash |
| Resting place | Kalkara Naval Cemetery, Kalkara, Malta |
| Political party | Conservative |
| Children | Henry Bathurst, 8th Earl Bathurst George Bathurst |
| Parents |
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Allen Algernon Bathurst, Lord Apsley (born August 3, 1895 – died December 17, 1942) was a brave British Army officer and a Conservative Party politician. He was known for his courage in battle and his work as a Member of Parliament.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Allen Algernon Bathurst was the oldest son of Seymour Bathurst, 7th Earl Bathurst and his wife, Lilias Margaret Frances. He went to Eton College, a famous school, and then studied at Christ Church, Oxford University. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with honors.
Military Hero: Lord Apsley's Service in War
Lord Apsley served as a soldier in two major wars.
World War I Service
During World War I, he fought overseas with the Royal Gloucestershire Hussars. He quickly rose through the ranks, becoming a lieutenant and then a captain.
He received two very important awards for his bravery in Egypt: the Military Cross (MC) and the Distinguished Service Order (DSO). These awards are given for outstanding courage and leadership.
A Story of Bravery
In September 1918, near Damascus, Lord Apsley was sent on a dangerous mission. He led a small group of 20 men to capture a wireless (radio) station. On their way, they met an enemy group twice their size.
Lord Apsley bravely led his men in a charge. They fought hard, and the enemy soldiers ran away. When they reached the wireless station, it had already been destroyed. More enemy soldiers arrived, threatening to trap his group.
Lord Apsley skillfully led his men to retreat safely. When they were attacked again from the side, he led another charge. This helped his group escape without harm. His actions showed amazing courage and great leadership.
Service Between Wars and World War II
Between the two World Wars, Lord Apsley remained part of the Territorial Army. He received the Territorial Decoration (TD) in 1929. He was promoted to major in 1938.
During World War II, he served overseas again with the Arab Legion from 1941 to 1942.
Political and Business Career
Lord Apsley was a Member of Parliament (MP) for many years. An MP is a person elected to represent an area in the country's main law-making body, the Parliament.
He was first elected as an MP for Southampton in 1922 and served until 1929. Later, in 1931, he became the MP for Bristol Central and held that position until his death in 1942.
In 1923, he was also appointed a Deputy Lieutenant for the counties of Gloucester and Bristol. This is an important local role.
Working in Government and Business
Lord Apsley also worked as a Parliamentary Private Secretary. This means he helped important government ministers with their work. He assisted the Under-Secretary for Overseas Trade, the Minister of Transport, and the Minister for Co-ordination Defence.
Outside of politics, he was involved in several businesses. He was the President of the UK Pilot's Association in 1925. He also chaired Western Airways and Western Air Transport Company. He was a director of the Morning Post newspaper.
In 1929, Lord Apsley and his wife wrote a book called The Amateur Settlers. It shared their exciting adventures and travels through the Northern Territory of Australia.
Family Life
On February 27, 1924, Lord Apsley married Viola Meeking. She later became an MP herself, taking over his seat for Bristol Central after his death.
They had two sons: Henry Allen John (born 1927, died 2011) and George Bertram (born 1929, died 2010). Because Lord Apsley died before his father, his oldest son, Henry, later inherited the family title of Earl Bathurst.
Death
Lord Apsley died on December 17, 1942. He was a passenger on a Handley Page Halifax plane belonging to No. 138 Squadron RAF. The plane crashed during take-off from Malta, and everyone on board died. Lord Apsley was buried with the other victims at Kalkara Naval Cemetery in Kalkara, Malta.
Images for kids
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Shield in the Commons chamber Sable two bars Ermine in chief three crosses pattée Or.
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Lord Apsley's two sons in a portrait by Philip de László, 1936
