Victor Spencer, 1st Viscount Churchill facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Viscount Churchill
|
|
|---|---|
The Viscount Churchill by Leslie Ward, 1904.
|
|
| Lord-in-waiting | |
| In office 1889–1892 |
|
| Preceded by | The Earl of Hopetoun |
| Succeeded by | The Lord Playfair |
| In office 1895–1905 |
|
| Preceded by | The Lord Camoys |
| Succeeded by | The Lord Denman |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Victor Albert Francis Charles Spencer
23 October 1864 |
| Died | 3 January 1934 (aged 69) |
| Spouses |
Lady Verena Maud Lowther
(m. 1887; div. 1927)Christine McRae Sinclair
(m. 1927) |
| Children | 6 |
| Parents | Francis Spencer, 2nd Baron Churchill Jane Spencer, Baroness Churchill |
Victor Albert Francis Charles Spencer, 1st Viscount Churchill (born October 23, 1864 – died January 3, 1934) was an important British noble and a member of the royal court. He was known by different names throughout his life. Before 1886, people called him the Honourable Victor Albert Spencer. From 1886 to 1902, he was known as The Lord Churchill. Later, he became the 1st Viscount Churchill. He belonged to the famous Spencer family.
Contents
Victor Spencer's Early Life and Education
Victor Spencer was born in London on October 23, 1864. His parents were Francis George Spencer, 2nd Baron Churchill and Jane Spencer, Baroness Churchill. When he was young, from 1876 to 1881, he served as a Page of Honour to Queen Victoria. This meant he helped the Queen with small tasks at court.
In 1886, he inherited his father's title, becoming the Baron Churchill. He was the grandson of Francis Spencer, 1st Baron Churchill.
Schooling and Military Training
Victor Spencer went to two well-known schools. First, he studied at Eton College, a famous boarding school for boys. After that, he attended the Royal Military College, Sandhurst. This is where people train to become army officers.
In 1884, he joined the Coldstream Guards as a lieutenant. This was a special part of the British Army. He served in the Guards until 1889.
Victor Spencer's Career and Public Service
Victor Spencer had a busy career, serving in both the military and the royal court.
Military Service and Ranks
On July 12, 1905, he became a Major in the Oxfordshire Imperial Yeomanry (Queen's Own Oxfordshire Hussars). This was a part-time army unit that his father and grandfather had also led. Many of his relatives from the Spencer-Churchill family served there too.
Later, he became a Lieutenant-Colonel in the Territorial Army Reserve. During World War I, from 1915 to 1918, he served as a temporary Colonel in Home Defence, helping to protect Britain.
Roles at Royal Coronations
Victor Spencer played important roles at royal events. For Edward VII's coronation, he was the lord chamberlain. This meant he helped organize the royal household and ceremonies. At the coronation of George V, he was the Master of the Robes. In this role, he was in charge of the King's ceremonial clothing.
He also served as the acting Master of the Buckhounds from 1900 to 1901. This job involved managing the royal hunt, though it was mostly a ceremonial role by then.
Becoming Viscount Churchill
Victor Spencer was a Lord in Waiting for many years. This meant he was a trusted assistant to the monarch and helped with official duties. He served in this role from 1889 to 1892 and again from 1895 to 1905.
On July 15, 1902, he was given a new, higher title: Viscount Churchill. This was a special honor announced during the King's Coronation Honours list.
Business Leadership and Transport
Beyond his military and court duties, Victor Spencer was also a successful businessman. He was the chairman and a director of several large transport companies.
He was the chairman of the Great Western Railway from 1908 to 1934. He held this position longer than anyone else in the company's history. He was also a director for other important companies, including the British India Steamship Company, P&O, and the Grand Union Canal.
Victor Spencer's Family Life
Lord Churchill married Lady Verena Maud Lowther on January 1, 1887. They had four children together:
- Hon. Victor Almeric Lancelot Spencer (1888–1888), who sadly died very young.
- Victor Alexander Spencer, 2nd Viscount Churchill (1890–1973). He married Katherine Emily Beaven in 1916. After she passed away, he married Joan Black in 1949.
- Hon. Victoria Ivy Louise Spencer (1897–1946). She married Captain Hon. Cecil Henry Brassey in 1920.
- Hon. Ursula Spencer (1901–1934). She married Lieutenant-Colonel Alick Frederick Tod in 1928.
Later in life, Lord Churchill married Christine McRae Sinclair in 1927. They had two more children:
- Hon. Sarah Faith Georgina Spencer (1931–2015). She married Richard John Palmer in 1951.
- Victor George Spencer, 3rd Viscount Churchill (1934–2017).
Lord Churchill passed away on January 3, 1934, due to pneumonia.
Awards and Honors Received by Victor Spencer
Victor Spencer received several important awards and honors during his life, recognizing his service.
British Honors
- GCVO: He was made a Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order on November 9, 1902. This is a special honor given by the British monarch for personal service.
Foreign Honors
He also received honors from other countries:
- From the Kingdom of Prussia (now part of Germany): Knight 1st class of the Order of the Crown in 1899.
- The Order of the Red Eagle from the Kingdom of Prussia.
- The Order of the Crown of Italy from Italy.
- The Order of the Redeemer of Greece from Greece.
- The Order of Jesus Christ from Portugal.
