Josslyn Hay, 22nd Earl of Erroll facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Josslyn Hay
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Lord Erroll in 1941
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| Born | 11 May 1901 Mayfair, Westminster, UK |
| Died | 24 January 1941 (aged 39) Ngong, British Kenya |
| Cause of death | Murder |
| Title | 22nd Earl of Erroll |
| Tenure | 1928 – 1941 |
| Other titles | Baron Kilmarnock |
| Known for | Fascist sympathizer; murder victim |
| Nationality | British |
| Residence | Nairobi, Kenya |
| Spouse(s) |
Lady Idina Sackville
(m. 1923; div. 1930)Edith Maude Ramsay-Hill
(m. 1930; died 1939) |
| Issue | Diana Hay, 23rd Countess of Erroll |
| Occupation | Landowner |
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Josslyn Victor Hay, 22nd Earl of Erroll (born May 11, 1901 – died January 24, 1941) was a British noble. He was known for his mysterious murder. This event caused a lot of talk in Britain during World War II.
Contents
Early Life and Family
Josslyn Hay was the oldest son of Victor Hay. His father was a diplomat, a person who represents their country in other nations. His mother was Lucy Mackenzie.
In 1911, Josslyn attended the crowning ceremony of King George V. He carried his grandfather's special crown, called a coronet. He started school at Eton College in 1914. However, he left two years later.
Even though his family had an important Scottish title, they were not rich. So, Josslyn had to find ways to earn a living. In 1920, he worked as an assistant in Berlin, Germany. His father was also working there.
Josslyn was expected to follow his father into diplomacy. But he fell in love with Lady Idina Sackville. She was already divorced twice. Lady Idina divorced her husband in 1923. She and Josslyn got married on September 22, 1923.
Life in Kenya
After their marriage, Josslyn and Idina moved to Kenya in 1924. They used Idina's money to pay for the move. Their home was a small house called Slains. It was named after an old family castle. Their house was in the Aberdare Range mountains. Many other white settlers were building farms there.
Josslyn became part of a group of people in Kenya. He also started to owe money. Josslyn inherited his father's noble titles in 1928. His wife divorced him in 1930.
Josslyn then married Edith Maude ("Molly") Ramsay-Hill on February 8, 1930. She was also divorced. They lived in a house called Oserian. It was a Moroccan-style house by Lake Naivasha.
Public Life and War Service
In 1934, Lord Erroll visited England. He joined the British Union of Fascists. This was a political group led by Oswald Mosley. When he returned to Kenya a year later, he became the leader of a group called the Convention of Associations.
He attended the crowning ceremony of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth in 1937. In 1939, he was chosen to be a member of the local government council for Kiambu.
When World War II began in 1939, Lord Erroll joined the Kenya Regiment. He became a captain. In 1940, he took on a role as a military secretary for East Africa.
On October 13, 1939, Lady Erroll (Molly) passed away. In 1940, Lord Erroll met Diana, Lady Broughton. She was married to Sir Jock Delves Broughton.
Unsolved Murder
On January 24, 1941, Lord Erroll was found shot dead. He was in his car on a road between Nairobi and Ngong. Sir Jock Delves Broughton was accused of the murder. He was arrested on March 10 and his trial began on May 26.
There were no people who saw the killing happen. The evidence against Sir Jock in court was not very strong. Also, his barber was the leader of the jury, the group of people who decide if someone is guilty. Sir Jock was found not guilty on July 1. The murder of Lord Erroll remains unsolved.
Lord Erroll is buried in the churchyard of St Paul's Anglican Church in Kiambu, Kenya. He is buried next to his second wife, Molly. His noble titles passed to his only child, Diana. She was his daughter from his first marriage. His other title, Baron Kilmarnock, went to his brother, Gilbert.
See also
- List of unsolved murders
Images for kids
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Lord Erroll in 1941
