John de Salis, 9th Count de Salis-Soglio facts for kids
John Bernard Philip Humbert de Salis was the 9th Count de Salis-Soglio. He was born in London on November 16, 1947, and passed away in Mezzane di Sotto, Italy, on March 14, 2014. He was known for his work as a delegate and envoy for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), helping people in need around the world. He also served as an ambassador for the Sovereign Military Order of Malta to Thailand and Cambodia. Besides his humanitarian work, he was a British soldier, a lawyer, and later a winemaker in Italy.
Quick facts for kids
The Count de Salis
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Count de Salis, photographed in southern England, July 2011.
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| Preceded by | John Eugène, 8th Count de Salis |
| Succeeded by | John-Maximilian Henry, 10th Count de Salis-Soglio |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 16 November 1947 London |
| Died | 14 March 2014 (aged 66) Mezzane di Sotto, Veneto, Italy |
| Nationality | UK/SOM/Swiss/Italian |
| Alma mater | Corpus Christi College, Cambridge |
Contents
Early Life and Education
John de Salis came from a noble family. His ancestors were made counts in the Holy Roman Empire in 1748. He was the only child of Lieutenant Colonel John Eugène, the 8th Count de Salis, and his wife Maria Camilla.
Sadly, John lost his father when he was under two years old. His mother passed away when he was five. He was then raised by different family members, including cousins in France and his grandmother in Italy.
He went to Downside School and later studied law at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge. He became a lawyer in 1970 and worked in London for some time.
Military and Humanitarian Work
While studying law, John de Salis also served in the military. He was part of the Cambridge University Officer Training Corps and later joined the Honourable Artillery Company. In 1972, he transferred to the 9th/12th Royal Lancers, serving in Northern Ireland. He retired as a Major in 1988.
His military experience and desire to help others led him to humanitarian work. He became a delegate for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). He worked on missions in the Middle East, including Beirut in 1982, and in Africa. He also led delegations in Iraq (1980–81) and Thailand (1981-84), where he helped Cambodian refugees.
In 1983, he wrote about the ICRC's important work. He noted that the organization mainly focuses on helping people who are suffering from conflicts.
After leaving England, he moved to Switzerland. There, he became an officer in the Swiss Army's Panzergrenadiers. He also started a new career in finance, working for several companies in Geneva and Zurich.
Winemaking and Other Roles
John de Salis took over his grandmother's farm in Italy. He transformed it from a dairy farm into a vineyard. By 2010, his wine business, Conti de Salis-Soglio Wines Verona, was established. His family had a history of growing grapes, with ancestors growing vines in the 18th century.
Besides his main careers, Count de Salis was a member of the British Association of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta. He received several honors, including the gold medal with Swords (Beirut) in 1982. He was also a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the White Elephant from Thailand.
He was also a descendant of important historical figures, including Vice-Admiral Francis William Drake. His only listed hobby was "melancholia," which means a thoughtful or pensive sadness.
Clubs
John de Salis was a member of several clubs, including:
- Cavalry and Guards Club
- Beefsteak Club
- Cercle de la Terasse (Geneva)
- Royal Bangkok Sports Club
- Chelsea Arts Club
Family
John de Salis was married twice. His first marriage was to Samaritana Contessina di Serego della Scala in 1973. This marriage was later ended, and they did not have any children.
He then married Marie-Claude in 1986 in Switzerland. They had three children:
- John-Maximilian Henry Fane de Salis, who became the 10th Count de Salis-Soglio (born 1986)
- Lara Anastasia Fane de Salis (born 1995)
- Camille Charlotte Fane de Salis (born 1995)
| Regnal titles | ||
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| Preceded by John Eugène, 8th Count de Salis-Soglio |
Count de Salis-Soglio 1949–2014 |
Succeeded by John-Maximilian, 10th Count de Salis |
