Byron Cary, 12th Viscount Falkland facts for kids
Byron Plantagenet Cary, 12th Viscount Falkland (born April 3, 1845 – died January 10, 1922), was an important Scottish nobleman and an officer in the British Army. A "Viscount" is a noble title, ranking below an Earl but above a Baron.
Early Life and Family Connections
Byron Cary was born into a well-known family. He was the oldest son of Captain Byron Cary. His grandfather was Captain Charles Cary, 9th Viscount Falkland.
Joining the Army
Byron Cary studied at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, a famous military school. On August 4, 1863, he joined the army as a junior officer, called an ensign, in the 49th Regiment of Foot. He was promoted to lieutenant on August 9, 1867. Later, he moved to the 35th Regiment of Foot on October 23. He became a captain on November 24, 1877.
Family Life
Byron Cary married Mary Reade on September 25, 1879. Mary was the daughter of Robert Reade from New York. They had six children together: three sons and three daughters.
- Lucius Cary, 13th Viscount Falkland (1880–1961)
- Hon. Catherine Mary Cary (May 29, 1882 – October 16, 1972)
- Hon. Mary Selina Cary (November 10, 1884 – November 6, 1960)
- Lt-Cdr The Hon. Byron Plantagenet Cary, DSO (January 25, 1887 – September 16, 1917), who was lost while commanding a submarine called HMS G9
- Hon. Lettice Cary (September 29, 1888 – December 19, 1963)
- Hon. Philip Plantagenet Cary (1895–1968)
Military and Public Service
On April 10, 1880, Cary was given a special assignment in the army. He was later promoted to major in his regiment. His regiment became the Royal Sussex Regiment in 1881, due to changes in the army called the Childers Reforms. He also worked as a personal assistant, known as an aide-de-camp, to Major-General Percy Feilding in Malta.
Cary retired from the army on March 5, 1884, with the honorary rank of lieutenant-colonel. This means he kept a special title even after leaving. In 1886, he inherited the title of Viscount Falkland from his uncle, Admiral Plantagenet Cary, 11th Viscount Falkland.
In April 1893, he was appointed a deputy lieutenant for the North Riding of Yorkshire. This was a local official role. He also received the honorary rank of colonel in the 4th (Militia) Battalion of the Green Howards. He was already a lieutenant-colonel there.
In 1894, Falkland was chosen to be a "representative peer" for Scotland. This meant he was elected by other Scottish nobles to represent them in the House of Lords. The House of Lords is part of the United Kingdom's Parliament. He served there until he passed away. He officially retired from the Army on November 11, 1896. Byron Plantagenet Cary died in 1922, and his oldest son, Lucius Cary, 13th Viscount Falkland, inherited his title.
