John Parker, 6th Earl of Morley facts for kids

John St. Aubyn Parker, 6th Earl of Morley (born May 29, 1923 – died September 20, 2015) was an important British noble, a dedicated soldier, and a respected leader in his local area. He was very loyal to the King or Queen and served the royal family throughout his life.

John Parker was born at Saltram House on May 29, 1923. His father was John Holford Parker, and his mother was Marjory Katherine Elizabeth St. Aubyn. His grandfather was Albert Parker, 3rd Earl of Morley. John inherited his title from his uncles, Edmund Parker, 4th Earl of Morley and Montagu Parker, 5th Earl of Morley, who both passed away without children.

Military Career

John came from a family with a strong military background. Many of his relatives were brave and important figures, especially those connected to the sea in the southwest of England. John went to Sunningdale School and then Eton College. In 1941, he joined the King's Royal Rifle Corps as a private soldier.

He quickly showed his skills and was promoted to a lieutenant in the infantry. Because of his noble family, he was chosen for royal service. In 1944, he joined the royal protection squad at Buckingham Palace. In April 1944, he was even invited to Sandringham House to celebrate Princess Elizabeth's 18th birthday party.

Serving in Different Countries

After being promoted, Lieutenant Parker was sent to Germany with an anti-tank platoon. After World War II, he traveled through France. He saw the French fleet that had been sunk on purpose at Toulon.

Later, he was in Gaza as part of the British forces in Palestine. This was during a time of conflict called the Jewish insurgency in Mandatory Palestine. John worked as an instructor at an infantry weapons training school. In his free time, he enjoyed duck hunting near Lake Huleh.

In 1948, he was moved to the Suez Canal Zone with the Rifles. There, unrest threatened important trade ports. He became a Captain and was sent to Germany with the Royal Fusiliers. Then he moved to the Regimental depot in the Tower of London.

Korean War and Command

When the Korean War started, he was sent there in 1952. He was attached to an Australian battalion. Just four days before the war ended, Parker went back to Suez. He commanded a company in the hills behind the Red Sea. He rode a camel 450 miles from headquarters, calling it Rhubarb. He returned to England in 1954.

On April 28, 1962, his uncle, the 5th Earl, passed away. John inherited the title of Earl of Morley. He was sent to Malta, which was a British colony at the time. He was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel and commanded the 1st battalion Royal Fusiliers from 1965 to 1967. After attending Staff College, Camberley, he became GOC 1 East Midlands District in 1967 for three years. He retired from the army in 1970 as a Lieutenant-Colonel from the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers.

Life After the Military

After leaving the army, Lord Morley became very involved in farming. He cared deeply about Britain's national heritage. From 1969, he was on the regional committee of the National Trust. He owned many farms in the southwest. He was the chairman of a company called Farm Industries Ltd in Truro for fifteen years. In 1973, he also became a governor of Seale-Hayne College.

Business and Community Leader

A year later, he became Chairman of Lloyds Bank in the southwest. He was already on their board. Lord Morley was a member of the Chamber of Commerce from 1970 until his death. As President of the Plymouth Chamber, he was a key figure in the city's public life.

The next year, he was asked to be President of the West Country Tourist Board for eighteen years. Cornwall also honored him by asking him to be President of their Federation of Chambers during the 1970s.

He also worked in law, becoming a Justice of the Peace (JP) for Plymouth. In 1974-1975, he started Plymouth Sound Ltd. He was also appointed to the board of governors of Plymouth Polytechnic (now the University of Plymouth). Because of his important role in developing education in the two cities, the polytechnic gave him an Honorary Fellowship. He also received an honorary law degree from Exeter University.

Royal Duties

Lord Morley often performed ceremonial duties for the royal family. In 1973, he was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant of Devon. This was in recognition of his service to the land. He had already lost his family's old home to the National Trust in 1957.

In 1982, he became Lord Lieutenant of Devon. This important job is usually given to military officers and is chosen by the monarch. As the Queen's representative in Devon, he attended many official events and visits. He worked with the palace and hosted important guests, including President Mitterrand of France. The President visited the Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, where he had stayed during World War II.

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh liked Morley. He made sure there was good security when royal visits happened near naval bases. He also handled calls from the press very well. Once, Diana, Princess of Wales was late and driving too fast. Her car broke down, and Morley arranged for the police to escort her. He often hosted members of the royal family. In 1995, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh brought his whole group to Pound House on Dartmoor.

Morley loved sports and often went shooting in the winter. He had a good shooting area on his land and remained a true countryman. His family lived at Pound House, Yelverton, near Dartmoor.

In 1987, he was made an honorary Colonel of the 4th battalion Devonshire and Dorset Regiment. This was an honor he held for life. He retired from this role in 1992 with the honorary rank of colonel.

Family Life

On October 15, 1955, John married Johanna Katherine. She was the daughter of Sir John Molesworth St Aubyn, 14th Baronet.

They had two children:

• Mark Lionel Parker, who became the 7th Earl of Morley (born August 22, 1956).
• Lady Venetia Parker (born February 5, 1960).

His son, Mark Lionel Parker, took over as the 7th Earl of Morley after his father passed away. Mark also went to Eton and joined the Royal Green Jackets. In 1999, he was a Captain. On November 12, 1983, he married Carolyn Jill. They had three daughters: Alexandra Louise (born 1985), Olivia Clare (born 1987), and Helena Georgia (born 1991).

Lady Venetia Catherine Parker married Francis Jonathan Longstreth Thompson on September 20, 1997.

The Earl of Morley passed away on September 20, 2015, at the age of 92. After his funeral, a special service was held at Buckland Monachorum, Devon, on October 28, 2015.