Basil Hamilton-Temple-Blackwood, 4th Marquess of Dufferin and Ava facts for kids

Basil Sheridan Hamilton-Temple-Blackwood, known as the 4th Marquess of Dufferin and Ava, was an important British politician and soldier. He was born on April 6, 1909, and sadly died during World War II on March 25, 1945. He held several government roles and served his country in the military.

Early Life and Education

Basil Blackwood was the only son of the 3rd Marquess of Dufferin and Ava. When his father became the Marquess in 1918, Basil was known as the Earl of Ava. His grandfather was the 1st Marquess of Dufferin and Ava, who was a well-known and cultured person. He even served as the Viceroy and Governor-General of India.

Basil went to Lockers Park School and Eton College. Eton is a famous school in England. When he was sixteen, he won the Rosebery Prize there. This was the highest award for a history student. After Eton, he studied at Balliol College, Oxford, which is part of the University of Oxford. At Oxford, he became good friends with the poet John Betjeman. Betjeman even wrote about him in one of his poems.

A Career in Politics

After finishing university, Lord Dufferin decided to work in politics. He gave his first speech in the House of Lords in December 1931. He was only 22 years old at the time. His speech was about India. Just a few days later, he was chosen to join the Indian Franchise Committee. This committee traveled around India to do research.

When he returned from India, he became a Parliamentary Private Secretary. This role means he helped important government officials. He worked for the 11th Marquess of Lothian, who was in charge of India affairs. Later, he helped the 3rd Viscount Halifax, who held several important jobs. These included being in charge of education, then war, and later a special government role called Lord Privy Seal.

Lord Dufferin was also the chairman of the Primrose League from 1932 to 1934. This was a political organization. From 1936 to 1937, he was a Lord-in-waiting to King George VI. This meant he was an attendant to the King. In 1937, he was appointed Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies. He held this important government position until he resigned in 1940.

Serving in World War II

In 1940, Lord Dufferin decided to leave his government job. He wanted to join the British Army and help fight in World War II. He even turned down a job offer from Winston Churchill's government. In July 1940, he became a captain in the Royal Horse Guards.

In 1941, he left the Army for a short time. He became the Director of the Empire Division for the Ministry of Information. This ministry shared information with the public during the war. The next year, he went on a special mission abroad for the ministry. He rejoined the Army in 1944.

On March 25, 1945, Lord Dufferin was serving with the Indian Field Broadcasting Unit. He was filmed asking Japanese soldiers to surrender from a tunnel. Sadly, the film then showed his death. A Japanese mortar shell landed on his unit. He was just a few weeks shy of his 36th birthday.

Family Life

Maureen Constance Hamilton-Temple-Blackwood (née Guinness), Marchioness of Dufferin and Ava, by Bassano Ltd, 1933

On July 3, 1930, Lord Dufferin and Ava married Maureen Constance Guinness. She was the daughter of Arthur Ernest Guinness, who came from a famous brewery family. They had three children together:

• Lady Caroline Maureen Hamilton-Temple-Blackwood (1931–1996)
• Lady Perdita Maureen Hamilton-Temple-Blackwood (born 1934)
• Sheridan Frederick Terence Hamilton-Temple-Blackwood (1938–1988), who became the 5th Marquess of Dufferin and Ava.

Because Lord Dufferin has no known grave in Burma, his name is remembered by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. His name is listed on the Rangoon Memorial at Taukkyan War Cemetery. There is also a special Celtic cross at his family's burial ground in Clandeboye, County Down, to remember him and other family members lost in wars. His friend, the poet John Betjeman, wrote a poem in his memory called In Memory of Basil, Marquess of Dufferin and Ava.

After Lord Dufferin's death, his wife Maureen married twice more. However, she continued to use the title she got from her first marriage. Maureen, Lady Dufferin, passed away on May 3, 1998, and is buried at Clandeboye.