Albert Clarence St CLAIR-MORFORD (4)

Photograph of Major General Albert Clarence St CLAIR-MORFORD. C.B.E. M.C. the husband of -

Victoria Alexandrina Mary St CLAIR-MORFORD. Born 1895 to Colonel Ivone and Mary Frances Kirkpatrick, nee Hardinge. Died 21 July 1920
She served in the Queen Mary’s Army Auxiliary Corps.
Wife of Captain Albert Clarence St Clair-Morford. M.C. Royal Marine Light Infantry.

At rest in Addolorata Cemetery, Malta.

Her husband -
Major General Albert Clarence St CLAIR-MORFORD. C.B.E. M.C. Royal Marines. Born 27 June 1893 to Walter and Minnie Allison Morford, husband of Violet Mary St. Clair-Morford, of Woking, Surrey who he married 13 April 1925. 1901 residing with his mother and brother, Eric at The Laurels, Ruislip, Middlesex. 1911 residing with his mother Minnie Eliza Allison and sister, Ruby at 9 Naillina Calais, Guernsey aged 17 years and at school.

He was awarded the Military Cross 14 November 1915. For conspicuous gallantry. He carried out a difficult and dangerous patrol with great coolness and brought back useful information. On a later occasion he was seriously wounded on successfully carrying out another hazardous reconnaissance.

Died 4 May 1945 aged 51 years at The Royal Naval Hospital, Stonehouse, Devonshire as the result an accidental bullet wound to his head. He unfortunately looked out of a tank hatch on the live firing range when he was hit.

At rest All Saints Churchyard, Thurlestone, Devon.

Wills and Admin, Ancestry -
Albert Clarence St CLAIR-MORFORD. C.B.E. M.C. of Does Mead, Kemishford, Woking Surrey. Died at place and date stated. Probate 24 April 1946 to Violet Mary St Clair Morford, widow. Resealed Kuala Lumpur 27 January 1947.

Royal Aero Club Aviators Certificate 1910-1950
Albert Clarence St. Clair-Morford. Montinde Hunt, Catel, Guernsey, Channel Isles. Born at Hanwell, Middlesex. Captain, Royal Marine Light Infantry. Certificate taken on Grahame-White Biplane at Graham-White School, Hendon 19 May 1917.

Photograph credited to Nathalie St Martin for permission to use photo (4) and the information that “Albert was aide de camp for King George VI for a while. The author Evelyn Waugh was a Royal Marine who served under Uncle Albert. When Waugh wrote his Sword of Honour books, he based his character Brigadier Ritchie Hook on Uncle Albert. He was considered a bit of a fool and its thought that it was no accident when Albert died in the live fire exercises. Albert's father, my great great grandfather was Walter Morford who ran the famous department store Swan and Edgar on Piccadilly Circus. Walter came from humble beginnings but soon became a very wealthy man. The St Clair part of the name is just an affectation created by Walter's wife who also from humble beginnings was an unashamed social climber. Her name was Minnie. Minnie partied with the rich and famous and had many affairs. Walter divorced her and remarried. Unfortunately, he died a young man.

Victoria's mother was a maid of honour to Queen Victoria. As she was from a prominent family, she was chosen to serve in the queen's household. For this she was given the style "The Honourable". “