James Heathcote-Drummond-Willoughby, 3rd Earl of Ancaster facts for kids

Gilbert James Heathcote-Drummond-Willoughby (born December 8, 1907 – died March 29, 1983) was a British politician. He was known as Lord Willoughby de Eresby for much of his life. He was a member of the Conservative Party. He held important roles in the British government and served his country during World War II.

Early Life and Education

Gilbert James Heathcote-Drummond-Willoughby was born into an important family. His father was Gilbert Heathcote-Drummond-Willoughby, the 2nd Earl of Ancaster. His mother was Eloise Lawrence Breese, an American heiress. He had a younger brother, John, and two sisters, Lady Catherine and Lady Priscilla.

He went to two famous schools. First, he studied at Eton College, a well-known boarding school. After that, he attended Magdalene College, Cambridge, one of the colleges at the University of Cambridge.

A Career in Politics and Public Service

Gilbert Heathcote-Drummond-Willoughby dedicated much of his life to public service. He worked as a politician and held several important positions.

Serving in Parliament

In 1933, he was elected to the House of Commons. This is one of the two parts of the British Parliament. He became a Member of Parliament (MP) for an area called Rutland and Stamford. He held this position until 1950. For a short time, from 1933 to 1935, he was the "Baby of the House." This was a special nickname for the youngest member of the House of Commons at that time.

In 1951, he joined the House of Lords. This is the other part of the British Parliament. He was called to the House of Lords early, using his father's title, Baron Willoughby de Eresby. Later that same year, when his father passed away, he became the 3rd Earl of Ancaster.

War Hero and Public Servant

Gilbert Heathcote-Drummond-Willoughby also served in the Second World War. He was a major in the Royal Artillery. He was recognized for his bravery during the war.

After the war, he received several honors. In 1945, he was awarded the Territorial Decoration (TD). This award recognized his long service in the Territorial Army. In 1971, he became a Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (KCVO). This is an honor given by the British monarch.

Besides his work in Parliament, he held other important roles. He was the Lord Lieutenant of Lincolnshire from 1950 to 1975. A Lord Lieutenant is the King's personal representative in a county. He was also a Joint Lord Great Chamberlain from 1951 until his death in 1983. This is a very old and important ceremonial role in the British government. In 1937, he became a Justice of the Peace (JP), which means he helped with local law and order. In 1977, he became a Deputy Lieutenant for Lincolnshire.

Family Life

On July 27, 1933, Gilbert Heathcote-Drummond-Willoughby married Nancy Phyllis Louise Astor. Nancy was the daughter of Waldorf Astor, 2nd Viscount Astor, and Nancy Astor. Nancy Astor was famous for being the first woman to become a Member of Parliament and take her seat in the House of Commons.

Gilbert and Nancy had two children together:

• Nancy Heathcote-Drummond-Willoughby (born December 1, 1934)
• Timothy Gilbert Heathcote-Drummond-Willoughby (born March 19, 1936)

Sadly, his son Timothy went missing at sea in 1963. His wife, Nancy, passed away in 1975. Gilbert Heathcote-Drummond-Willoughby died in March 1983, at the age of 75. When he died, his titles of Earl of Ancaster and Baron Aveland ended. However, his daughter Nancy inherited the very old title of Baron Willoughby de Eresby. She also took over his role as joint Lord Great Chamberlain.