John Beresford, 5th Baron Decies facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Lord Decies
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Lord Decies in 1919
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| Representative Peer for Ireland | |
| In office 1912–1944 |
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| Preceded by | The Lord Crofton |
| Succeeded by | Office lapsed |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
John Graham Hope Horsley de la Poer Beresford
5 December 1866 Newcastle upon Tyne |
| Died | 31 January 1944 (aged 77) Ascot, Berkshire |
| Spouses |
Helen Vivien Gould
(m. 1911; died 1931) |
| Children | 3 |
| Parents | William Horsley-Beresford, 3rd Baron Decies Catherine Anne Dent |
| Education | Eton College |
| Medal record | ||
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| Men's polo | ||
Representing  Mixed team |
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| Olympic Games | ||
| Gold | 1900 Paris | Team competition |
John Graham Hope Horsley de la Poer Beresford, 5th Baron Decies (born December 5, 1866 – died January 31, 1944) was an Anglo-Irish army officer, a government official, and a talented polo player. He was known as The Hon. John Beresford until 1910. He even won a gold medal in polo at the 1900 Summer Olympics.
Early Life and Education
John Beresford was born in Newcastle upon Tyne on December 5, 1866. He was the second son of William Horsley-Beresford, who was the 3rd Baron Decies. His mother was Catherine Anne Dent. John went to a famous school called Eton College. After finishing school, he joined the army in 1887.
Military and Public Service
John Beresford began his army career in February 1887 with the 7th Hussars. He quickly moved up the ranks, becoming a Lieutenant in 1889 and a Captain in 1896. He served in several military campaigns in Africa. He was part of the Second Matabele War in 1896 and later the Second Boer War.
In 1900, he became an Aide-de-camp (a personal assistant) to the Duke of Connaught, who was the Commander-in-Chief of Ireland. In 1902, he took command of the 37th Battalion of the Imperial Yeomanry, a special army unit. He traveled to South Africa with his battalion, but the war ended before they saw much action. He also served in Somaliland from 1903 to 1904. After leaving the regular army, he commanded the South Irish Horse starting in 1912.
In 1910, John inherited the title of Baron Decies from his older brother. This was an Irish peerage, which meant it didn't automatically give him a seat in the British Parliament's upper house, the House of Lords. However, in 1912, he was chosen as an Irish Representative Peer. This allowed him to take a seat and represent Ireland in the House of Lords. From 1916 to 1919, he worked as the Chief Press Censor for Ireland. This job involved checking news and information before it was published.
Lord Decies was also interested in how taxes affected people. In 1930, he spoke about his concerns that wealthy people might move their money out of the country because of high taxes. He was a director of the British Income Taxpayers' Association.
Olympic Polo Champion
John Beresford was a very skilled polo player. He played for Ireland in the 1900 Summer Olympics held in Paris. His team, called Foxhunters Hurlingham, won the gold medal in the team competition.
In 1908, he also played in an important international polo match. It was the first time England and Argentina played against each other in polo, and it took place at the Hurlingham Club in Argentina.
Family Life
Lord Decies married Helen Vivien Gould on February 7, 1911. Helen was the daughter of a famous American railroad executive, George Jay Gould I. They had three children together:
- Eileen Vivien de la Poer Beresford (born 1912 – died 1975)
- Catherine Moya de la Poer Beresford (born 1913 – died 1967)
- Arthur George Marcus Douglas de la Poer Beresford (born 1915 – died 1992), who later became the 6th Baron Decies.
Helen, Lady Decies, passed away on February 3, 1931. A few years later, on May 25, 1936, Lord Decies married Elizabeth Wharton Drexel. They later filed for divorce in 1942.
Lord Decies died on January 31, 1944, at his home in Ascot, Berkshire. Lady Decies passed away a few months later in June 1944.
