Janet Gladys Aitken facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Janet Gladys Aitken
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Aitken in 1926
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| Born | 9 July 1908 Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
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| Died | 18 November 1988 (aged 80) Ewhurst, Surrey, England
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| Resting place | St. Michael's Churchyard, Mickleham |
| Other names | Janet Campbell Janet Montagu Janet Kidd |
| Occupation | Socialite, writer, equestrian, pilot, horse breeder |
| Spouse(s) |
William Drogo Sturges Montagu
(m. 1935; died 1940)Thomas Edward Dealtry Kidd
(m. 1942; died 1979) |
| Children | 4, including Lady Jeanne Campbell |
| Parents |
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| Relatives |
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Janet Gladys Aitken (born July 9, 1908 – died November 18, 1988) was a fascinating Canadian-British woman. She was known for being a socialite, which means she was very active in high society. Janet was the daughter of Max Aitken, 1st Baron Beaverbrook, a powerful newspaper owner. She grew up in a grand home called Cherkley Court in Surrey, England.
Janet had an exciting life. She was married three times. Her first husband became the Duke of Argyll. She was also a talented horse rider and even learned to fly a helicopter later in life. She loved horses so much that she bred special Fjord horses on her farm. Janet was famous for hosting important people like politicians and even royalty at her home in Barbados. In 1987, she wrote a book about her life called The Beaverbrook Girl.
Contents
Early Life and Family Background
Janet Aitken was born on July 9, 1908, in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. Her father was Max Aitken, who owned a big newspaper called the Daily Express. Her mother was Gladys Henderson Drury.
Janet's family moved from Canada to the United Kingdom in 1910. Her father bought a large house called Cherkley Court in Surrey. Growing up, Janet met many famous people who visited her family's home. These guests included Sir Winston Churchill, a future Prime Minister, and the famous writer Rudyard Kipling.
In 1916, Janet's father was given a special title by King George V. He became a baronet, which is a type of noble title. The next year, he received an even higher title and became the Baron Beaverbrook. This meant Janet could use the title The Honourable before her name.
Janet's Marriages and Family
Janet Aitken was married three times during her life. Each marriage brought new experiences and family connections.
First Marriage to Ian Campbell
Janet met Ian Douglas Campbell in France. He was from a very old and important Scottish family, Clan Campbell. They got married in 1927. Together, they had one daughter named Jeanne. Janet and Ian later divorced in 1934. Through her daughter, Janet became the grandmother of American actresses Cusi Cram and Kate Mailer.
Second Marriage to William Montagu
In 1935, Janet married for the second time to William Drogo Sturges Montagu. He was the son of a noble family, the Earl of Sandwich. William was a flying instructor for the Royal Air Force. Sadly, he was killed in 1940 while serving in World War II.
Third Marriage to Thomas Kidd
Janet married her third husband in 1942. He was Major Thomas Edward Dealtry Kidd, an officer in the Canadian Army. Thomas Kidd came from a well-known Canadian family. Janet and Thomas moved to a farm in England. They enjoyed activities like fox hunting. They had a son named John Edward Aitken Kidd. John is the father of famous models Jodie Kidd and Jemma Madeleine Wellesley, Countess of Mornington. Janet's third husband, Thomas, passed away in 1979.
Later Life and Accomplishments
Janet Aitken continued to live an active and interesting life in her later years. She was involved in many different activities and hobbies.
A Passion for Horses
Janet was a very skilled horse rider. She loved horses throughout her life. She even broke her back twice from falling off horses! After her second injury, she started horse-drawn carriage racing. She also bred special horses called Fjord horses on her farm. For more than twenty years, she was a director at the All England Jumping Course at Hickstead, a famous place for horse jumping competitions.
Flying and Social Life
On her 60th birthday, July 9, 1968, Janet achieved something amazing. She got her license to fly a helicopter! This showed her adventurous spirit.
Janet also had a second home in Barbados, a beautiful island. She was known for hosting many important people there. These guests included famous politicians and even members of royal families. She was a close friend of W. Averell Harriman, an American diplomat who also had a home in Barbados.
Writing Her Story
In 1987, the year before she passed away, Janet Aitken wrote a book about her life. It was called The Beaverbrook Girl: An Autobiography. This book shared her memories and experiences with the world.
Janet Gladys Aitken died on November 18, 1988, at her home in Ewhurst, Surrey, England. She is buried next to her third husband in St. Michael's Churchyard, Mickleham.
Images for kids
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Cherkley Court, Janet Aitken's childhood home in Surrey
