Anne Asquith facts for kids

Anne Asquith was a clever British woman born in 1916 who passed away in 1998. She was known for her amazing skills as a code breaker. When she married Julian Asquith in 1947, she became the Countess of Oxford and Asquith.

Life of Anne Asquith

Anne was born in Paris, France, in 1916. Her father, Sir Michael Palairet, was a diplomat, which means he worked for the government in other countries. Her mother was Lady Mary Palairet. Anne was raised in the Roman Catholic faith.

Growing Up Around the World

Because her father was a diplomat, Anne grew up in many different countries. She lived in Japan, China, and Bucharest (the capital of Romania). In these places, she often helped her father by figuring out secret messages he received.

When she was six years old, Anne survived a big earthquake in Japan. Later, her family was in China during a civil war, which is a war between groups within the same country. Anne especially liked Bucharest, where she finished high school and learned to speak French.

College and War Work

After high school, Anne continued her studies in Paris. Then, she went to St Anne's College, Oxford, a famous university in England. While at Oxford, she met Julian Asquith, who would later become her husband.

During World War II, Anne used her language and code skills to help her country. She worked at Bletchley Park, a top-secret center where people broke enemy codes. After this, she joined the Women's Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF), a special part of the air force for women.

In 1945, the WAAF sent Anne to Mandatory Palestine, a region in the Middle East. The next year, a hotel there, the King David Hotel, was bombed. Anne was supposed to be off-duty at the hotel that day. But, by chance, she swapped shifts with someone else. This lucky change meant she was working somewhere else when the bomb went off, keeping her safe.

Marriage and Family

In 1947, Anne married Julian Asquith, 2nd Earl of Oxford and Asquith at a church called the Brompton Oratory in London. Her husband, Julian, also worked as a diplomat. This meant their family moved to many different countries.

Life as a Diplomat's Wife

Anne and Julian lived in places like Libya, Zanzibar, and St Lucia. Julian even became the governor of the Seychelles, a group of islands. Back then, it was hard to fly to these faraway islands. Ships were the main way to travel there.

Anne and Julian had five children together: two sons and three daughters. Their sons later became diplomats, just like their father. One of their daughters also married a diplomat.

Their Children

• Lady (Mary) Annunziata Asquith (born 1948)
• Lady Katharine Rose Celestine Asquith (born 1949)
• Raymond Benedict Bartholomew Asquith, 3rd Earl of Oxford and Asquith (born 1952)
• Lady Clare Perpetua Frances Asquith (born 1955)
• The Hon. Sir Dominic Antony Gerard Asquith (born 1957), who later became a British Ambassador to countries like Iraq and Egypt.

Julian Asquith inherited a family estate called Mells Manor from his mother.

Anne Asquith passed away in Frome, England, in 1998. Her husband, Julian, lived until 2011, reaching the age of 94. Their elder son, Raymond, then inherited his father's titles and became the 3rd Earl of Oxford and Asquith. Raymond also worked as a British diplomat and was a member of the House of Lords, a part of the British Parliament.