John Lyttelton, 9th Viscount Cobham facts for kids
John Cavendish Lyttelton, 9th Viscount Cobham (born 23 October 1881, died 31 July 1949) was an important British person. He was a nobleman, a soldier, and a politician. He belonged to the famous Lyttelton family. He was known as the 9th Viscount Cobham.
Early Life and Cricket
John was the oldest son of Charles Lyttelton, who was the 8th Viscount Cobham. His mother was Mary Susan Caroline Cavendish. His uncle, Alfred Lyttelton, was also famous. John went to a well-known school called Eton.
John loved cricket, just like his dad and uncle. He played for the Worcestershire County Cricket Club in three important matches between 1924 and 1925. In 1935, he became the President of the Marylebone Cricket Club. This was a special honor, and his father and uncle had also held this role.
Military Service and Politics
John joined the Rifle Brigade as a second lieutenant in 1901. He served as a soldier in the Second Boer War in South Africa. After the war, he returned home in 1902. He later went back to South Africa from 1905 to 1908. During this time, he worked as an aide-de-camp for the British High Commissioner. This meant he helped the High Commissioner with important tasks.
In 1910, John was elected to the House of Commons. This is part of the British Parliament. He represented the area of Droitwich. He held this seat until 1916.
During the First World War, John continued his military service. He fought in places like Gallipoli, Egypt, the Sinai, and Palestine. He rose to the rank of lieutenant colonel.
In 1922, John became the 9th Viscount Cobham after his father passed away. This meant he joined the House of Lords, which is another part of the British Parliament. In 1939, he was appointed Under-Secretary of State for War. This was an important role in the government of Neville Chamberlain. He kept this job until May 1940. Besides his work in politics and the military, he was also the Lord Lieutenant of Worcestershire from 1923 to 1949. This was a special role representing the King or Queen in his home county.
Family Life
John married Violet Leonard on 30 June 1908. They had five children together:
- Charles John Lyttelton, 10th Viscount Cobham (born 1909, died 1977)
- Hon Meriel Catherine Lyttelton (born 1911, died 1930)
- Hon Viola Maud Lyttelton (born 1912, died 1987), who married Robert Grosvenor, 5th Duke of Westminster
- Hon Audrey Lavinia Lyttelton (born 1918, died 2007)
- Hon Lavinia Mary Yolande Lyttelton (born 1921, died 2007)
John passed away in July 1949, when he was 67 years old. His son, Charles, became the 10th Viscount Cobham. Charles later became the Governor-General of New Zealand. John is buried in his family's plot at St John the Baptist Church, Hagley. His wife, Lady Cobham, died in 1966.
