John Henniker-Major, 8th Baron Henniker facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Lord Henniker
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| British Ambassador to Denmark | |
| In office 1962–1966 |
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| Preceded by | Sir William Montagu-Pollock |
| Succeeded by | Oliver Wright |
| British Ambassador to Jordan | |
| In office 1960–1962 |
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| Preceded by | Sir Charles Johnston |
| Succeeded by | Sir Roderick Parkes |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 19 February 1916 |
| Died | 29 April 2004 (aged 88) |
| Nationality | British |
| Spouses | Osla Benning (1946–1974; her death) Julia Poland (1976–2004; his death) |
| Children | 3 |
| Alma mater | Trinity College, Cambridge |
| Occupation | Civil servant and diplomat |
| Awards | Military Cross |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Branch/service |  British Army |
| Years of service | 1939–1945 |
| Rank | Major |
| Unit | Rifle Brigade |
| Battles/wars | Second World War |
John Patrick Edward Chandos Henniker-Major, 8th Baron Henniker (born 19 February 1916 – died 29 April 2004) was an important British person. He was a peer, which means he had a special title in the British system. He also worked as a civil servant and a diplomat. This means he worked for the government and represented his country in other nations. From 1965 to 1980, people knew him as Sir John Henniker-Major.
Contents
Early Life and Military Service
John Henniker-Major was the oldest son of the 7th Baron Henniker. His mother was Molly Burnet. He went to school at Stowe and then studied at Trinity College, Cambridge. There, he earned top grades in Modern Languages.
In 1938, he started working for the Foreign Office. This is a government department that handles relationships with other countries. He passed his entry exams with the highest score. He became a Third Secretary that same year.
When the Second World War began, John Henniker-Major joined the army. He became an officer in the Rifle Brigade. He eventually reached the rank of Major. During the war, he fought in the Western Desert campaign. He was hurt in Libya and had to go to a hospital in Cairo.
In 1943, he joined a special mission in Yugoslavia. This mission was part of the Special Operations Executive. He worked as a British Liaison Officer with a famous Partisan commander named Koča Popović. In August 1944, they planned an operation called Operation Ratweek. This operation caused big problems for German troops trying to leave Greece. For his bravery, he received the Military Cross award in 1945.
Diplomatic Career and Later Life
After the war, John Henniker-Major returned to his work as a diplomat. From 1945 to 1946, he worked at the British Embassy in Belgrade. An embassy is like an office for a country's government in another nation.
He then worked as a special assistant to the Foreign Secretary, Ernest Bevin, from 1946 to 1948. He also worked at the Foreign Office from 1948 to 1950. After that, he was at the British Embassy in Buenos Aires from 1950 to 1952. From 1953 to 1960, he was in charge of the Personnel Department at the Foreign Office.
Ambassador Roles
In 1960, John Henniker-Major became the Ambassador to Jordan. An ambassador is the highest-ranking diplomat who represents their country in another. He held this important job until 1962.
Then, from 1962 to 1966, he served as the Ambassador to Denmark. He was an Assistant Under-Secretary of State from 1966 to 1967. He chose to stay in England instead of becoming an ambassador to Brazil or Ireland.
British Council and House of Lords
In 1968, he became the Director-General of the British Council. This organization helps share British culture and education around the world. He worked there until 1972.
Later in his life, John Henniker-Major spent his time helping charities. He focused on causes in Suffolk, where his family had their old home. In 1980, he became the 8th Baron Henniker after his father passed away. This meant he took his seat in the House of Lords. The House of Lords is part of the UK Parliament. He briefly spoke for the Liberal Democrats party there.
He received several important honors for his work:
- He was made a CMG in 1956.
- He became a CVO in 1960.
- He was knighted as a KCMG in 1965.
Family Life
John Henniker-Major married Osla Benning in 1946. They had three children together:
- Mark Ian Philip Chandos Henniker-Major, who became the 9th Baron Henniker (born 29 September 1947). He married Lesley Antoinette Foskett.
- Hon. Charles John Giles Henniker-Major (2 September 1949 – 9 May 2012). He married Sally Kemp Newby.
- Hon. Jane Elizabeth Henniker-Major (born 6 July 1954). She married Richard Spring, Baron Risby.
After his first wife, Osla, passed away in 1974, he married Julia Poland in 1976. John Henniker-Major died in April 2004, when he was 88 years old. His oldest son, Mark, took over his titles.
Images for kids
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The coronet of a British Baron.
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The Henniker family coat of arms.
