Evening star., 1942-01-16
Duke of Connought, Victoria S
Last Surviving Son, Dies at 81
Career Sponned Four
Generations of
British Royalty I
BY the Associated Press.

| British Royalty
| BY the Associated Press.
LONDON, Jan. 16.-The Duke
of Connaught, 81, last surviving
son of Queen Victoria, died soday
at Bagshot Park, Surrey, after
an illness of several months.
Born on May !, 1850, the Duke Of
Connaughts career spanned four
generations of British royalty He
lived to see mis- elder brother be:oms
Edward VII, his nephew rue -
George v, and his great-nelhevs
reign as Edward VIII and Gorge
VI.
The army. which he ultimately
served as field marshal, was major
part Of his life. After his dA's Of
active service, he never was hap
pier than when reviewing unitf with
which he had been associated In
other years.
Two days before his Goth brit lday,
he inspected two Canadian rest-
ments at Aldershot. He had been
their colonel tn chief for year..
Attended Christening Dec. 3.
The Dukes last omcial appearance
was at the christening Of Prince
William, first. son Of the Duks and
Duchess Of Gloucester, who was born
last December ls.
The dukes death left Princess
Beatrice, seven years his junio'. the
last survivor Of Queen Vict,ria's
nine children
The title and dukedom Of Con-
naught pass to the Earl Of Ma,Dun,
27-year- -old grandson, who . an
omcer with Z famous Scottish resi-
ment.
The following statement was
issued from Bagshot Park:
January 16-Field Marsha His
Royal Highness the Duke Of Con-
naught passed away very peacefully
this morning at Bagshot Park. Sur
rey. He had been in failing health
for some months past"
The Duke Of Connaught was
Queen Victoria's third son ant the
seventh of her nine children To
her he was always darling Art lur."
Americans had several oppor uni
ties to see him at close rang. be-
tween October IA, 1911, and OQ ,ber
16, 1916, when he served as 'iov-
ernor General of Canada, the first
British prince to hold an overseas
post Of this caliber.
Shortly after his tenure began at
Ottawa, he made his only Witt to
the United States. coming ulOfh-
cially and unaccredited to "se. the
sights OF New York" He wa. ac-
companied by the Duchess and their
popular daughter, Princess Pat"
and after several days in Manhattan
went to Washington and called on
President Taft. While the United
States later became accustomed to
royal visitors, they were com ,ara-
lively rare in prewar days and Con-
tention.
Entered Academy at is.
The Duke entered the military
academy at Woolwich when OF ly 16
and served in virtually every branch
of Briton's land forces. As Jlnior
officer he had a share in the skir-
mishes which accompanied tho 1870
Fenian raid from United States soil
into Canada, but his real ba,tism
OF fire came In the Egyptian var of
1882. At the decisive battle the
storming of Tel-el-Kebir, he COM
manded the guards brigade and
Sir Garnet Wolseley, a genera who
was sparing Of praise, reported
The Duke of Connaught II well
and behaved admirably, leading his
brigade to the attack"
The next year he was sent as q
major general to India. Later he
became Lieutenant governor Of Bonn
bay and remained in the East until
1890. For the next 10 years h. held
important military posts at iome.
He was aiming to become COM
mander in chief of the arm, but
was passed over twice, Lord Volse-
ley getting the post in 1So, and
Lord Roberts taking it in 1901 The
duke succeeded "Bobs" as COM
mander of the forces in Irelani and
was in Dublin from 1900 to l3O4.
Became Marshal in 1902.
Created a field marshal in 1872, he
became first inspector general Of
the armed forces in 1904 and in
1907 went to Malta as chief cf the
troops stationed in the Meiiter-
ranean area. But he foune this
post mot active enough" ant quit
it in 1909 over the objections of
King Edward, who recorded that
he was much annoyed q. his
brothers persistent obstinacyy
The duke returned to England
after his years in Canada to plunee
into activities connected witl the
World War. He inspected r4blace-
ments, visited the western front.
especially the Princess Pats" II the
Canadian forces, and helped .stab-
iish social centers for men on leave
from the trenches.
In the midst Of these duties the
health Of his wife failed. Sht died
! March IL, 1917. ana oba.rvers