Geoffrey FitzClarence, 5th Earl of Munster facts for kids

Quick facts for kids The Right Honourable The Earl of Munster KBE PC
Lord Lieutenant of Surrey
In office 1957–1973
Preceded by	Sir Robert Haining
Succeeded by	The Lord Hamilton of Dalzell
Ministerial offices 1938-57 Minister without Portfolio In office 1954–1957 Prime Minister Anthony Eden Winston Churchill Preceded by Arthur Greenwood Succeeded by The Lord Bancroft Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies In office 1951–1954 Prime Minister Winston Churchill Preceded by Thomas Fotheringham-Cook Succeeded by The Lord Lloyd Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department In office 1944–1945 Prime Minister Winston Churchill Preceded by Osbert Peake Succeeded by George Oliver Parliamentary Secretary for India and Burma In office 1943–1944 Prime Minister Winston Churchill Preceded by The Duke of Devonshire Succeeded by The Earl of Listowel Under-Secretary of State for War In office January 1939 – September 1939 Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain Preceded by The Lord Strathcona and Mount Royal Succeeded by The Viscount Cobham Paymaster General In office 1938–1939 Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain Preceded by The Lord Hutchison of Montrose Succeeded by The Earl Winterton
Member of the House of Lords Lord Temporal
In office 1928 – 1975 Hereditary Peerage
Preceded by	Aubrey FitzClarence, 4th Earl of Munster
Succeeded by	Edward FitzClarence, 6th Earl of Munster
Personal details
Born	Geoffrey William Richard Hugh FitzClarence (1906-02-17)17 February 1906
Died	26 August 1975(1975-08-26) (aged 69)
Political party	Conservative
Spouse	Hilary Wilson ​ (m. 1928)​
Parents	The Hon. Harold FitzClarence Frances Keppel
Education	Charterhouse School

Geoffrey William Richard Hugh FitzClarence, 5th Earl of Munster (born February 17, 1906 – died August 26, 1975) was an important British politician. He was a member of the Conservative Party. He also held the title of Earl of Munster, which is a noble rank in the United Kingdom.

Early Life and Education

Geoffrey FitzClarence was the son of Major Harold Edward FitzClarence. His family had a long history, including his grandfather, the 2nd Earl of Munster.

He attended Charterhouse School, a well-known school in England. This education prepared him for his future roles in public service.

Political Career Highlights

Geoffrey FitzClarence became the 5th Earl of Munster in 1928. This meant he gained a seat in the House of Lords, which is part of the UK Parliament. He joined the Conservative benches, meaning he supported the Conservative Party.

Early Government Roles

In 1934, he became a Lord-in-waiting. This role meant he was a government whip in the House of Lords. He helped guide laws through Parliament. He served under Prime Ministers Ramsay MacDonald, Stanley Baldwin, and Neville Chamberlain.

In 1938, Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain appointed him Paymaster General. This job involved managing government payments. He held this role for about a year.

After that, in 1939, he became the Under-Secretary of State for War. He worked in this position during the early part of World War II.

Wartime and Post-War Service

He returned to government in 1943 during World War II. Winston Churchill made him the Parliamentary Secretary for India and Burma. This role involved working on matters related to India and Burma.

From 1944 to 1945, he served as Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department. This department deals with internal affairs and law enforcement.

When Winston Churchill became Prime Minister again in 1951, Lord Munster continued his public service. He was appointed Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies. This role focused on the UK's overseas territories.

From 1954 to 1957, he served as a Minister without Portfolio. This meant he was a government minister without a specific department. He could be given special tasks by the Prime Minister. In 1954, he also became a member of the Privy Council. This is a group of senior advisors to the British monarch.

Other Important Roles

Beyond his political work, Lord Munster held other important positions. He was the Lord Lieutenant of Surrey from 1957 to 1973. A Lord Lieutenant represents the monarch in a county.

In 1957, he was honored as a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE). This is a high award for public service.

Family Life

Lord Munster married Hilary Wilson in 1928. He passed away in August 1975 at the age of 69. His cousin, Edward Charles FitzClarence, became the 6th Earl of Munster.

His wife, Hilary FitzClarence, was a talented musician. She started the Countess of Munster Musical Trust in 1958. This trust helps young musicians. She died in 1979 at their home, Sandhills, in Bletchingley.

Images for kids

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  The family's estate in the Greensand Ridge in the parish of Bletchingley in Surrey