Ronald Armstrong-Jones
Encyclopedia
Major
Ronald Owen Lloyd Armstrong-Jones, MBE
, QC
(18 May 1899 – 27 January 1966) was a British
soldier and the father of Antony Armstrong-Jones, the 1st Earl of Snowdon
.
The only son of Robert Armstrong-Jones
, he was educated at Eton
and on graduating from Magdalen College, Oxford
in 1922, he became a barrister
in the Inner Temple
. During World War I
, he was a Second Lieutenant
in the Royal Regiment of Artillery and a Major
in the King's Royal Rifle Corps
during World War II
; he was invalided in 1945 after serving as Deputy Judge Advocate to Montgomery's staff at Normandy
. From 1955-59, he was a member of the Industrial Disputes Tribunal and a sometime Governor of St Bartholomew's Hospital
and a member of the Worshipful Company of Clothworkers
.
He was appointed High Sheriff of Caernarvonshire
for 1936.
Armstrong-Jones was married three times. Firstly, to Anne Messel (8 February 1902 - Jul 1992) on 22 July 1925; they divorced in 1934 (Anne later married the 6th Earl of Rosse) after having two children, Antony
(b. 1930), the brother-in-law of Queen Elizabeth II
and Susan (c. 1932–1986). He married secondly, Carol Akhurst on 18 June 1936; they divorced in 1959 and Carol was killed in a car crash in 1966. Armstrong-Jones married thirdly, Jenifer Unite on 11 February 1960 and they had one son, Peregrine
(b. 1960).
Major
Major is a rank of commissioned officer, with corresponding ranks existing in almost every military in the world.When used unhyphenated, in conjunction with no other indicator of rank, the term refers to the rank just senior to that of an Army captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel. ...
Ronald Owen Lloyd Armstrong-Jones, MBE
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
, QC
Queen's Counsel
Queen's Counsel , known as King's Counsel during the reign of a male sovereign, are lawyers appointed by letters patent to be one of Her [or His] Majesty's Counsel learned in the law...
(18 May 1899 – 27 January 1966) was a British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
soldier and the father of Antony Armstrong-Jones, the 1st Earl of Snowdon
Antony Armstrong-Jones, 1st Earl of Snowdon
Antony Charles Robert Armstrong-Jones, 1st Earl of Snowdon, GCVO, RDI is an English photographer and film maker. He was married to Princess Margaret, younger daughter of King George VI and younger sister of Queen Elizabeth II....
.
The only son of Robert Armstrong-Jones
Robert Armstrong-Jones
Sir Robert Armstrong-Jones, CBE was a Welsh physician and psychiatrist. He was the grandfather of the Earl of Snowdon.He was born Robert Jones in Ynyscynhaearn, Caernarvonshire, the son of a Congregational minister...
, he was educated at Eton
Eton College
Eton College, often referred to simply as Eton, is a British independent school for boys aged 13 to 18. It was founded in 1440 by King Henry VI as "The King's College of Our Lady of Eton besides Wyndsor"....
and on graduating from Magdalen College, Oxford
Magdalen College, Oxford
Magdalen College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England. As of 2006 the college had an estimated financial endowment of £153 million. Magdalen is currently top of the Norrington Table after over half of its 2010 finalists received first-class degrees, a record...
in 1922, he became a barrister
Barrister
A barrister is a member of one of the two classes of lawyer found in many common law jurisdictions with split legal professions. Barristers specialise in courtroom advocacy, drafting legal pleadings and giving expert legal opinions...
in the Inner Temple
Inner Temple
The Honourable Society of the Inner Temple, commonly known as Inner Temple, is one of the four Inns of Court in London. To be called to the Bar and practise as a barrister in England and Wales, an individual must belong to one of these Inns...
. During World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, he was a Second Lieutenant
Second Lieutenant
Second lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer military rank in many armed forces.- United Kingdom and Commonwealth :The rank second lieutenant was introduced throughout the British Army in 1871 to replace the rank of ensign , although it had long been used in the Royal Artillery, Royal...
in the Royal Regiment of Artillery and a Major
Major
Major is a rank of commissioned officer, with corresponding ranks existing in almost every military in the world.When used unhyphenated, in conjunction with no other indicator of rank, the term refers to the rank just senior to that of an Army captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel. ...
in the King's Royal Rifle Corps
King's Royal Rifle Corps
The King's Royal Rifle Corps was a British Army infantry regiment, originally raised in colonial North America as the Royal Americans, and recruited from American colonists. Later ranked as the 60th Regiment of Foot, the regiment served for more than 200 years throughout the British Empire...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
; he was invalided in 1945 after serving as Deputy Judge Advocate to Montgomery's staff at Normandy
Normandy
Normandy is a geographical region corresponding to the former Duchy of Normandy. It is in France.The continental territory covers 30,627 km² and forms the preponderant part of Normandy and roughly 5% of the territory of France. It is divided for administrative purposes into two régions:...
. From 1955-59, he was a member of the Industrial Disputes Tribunal and a sometime Governor of St Bartholomew's Hospital
St Bartholomew's Hospital
St Bartholomew's Hospital, also known as Barts, is a hospital in Smithfield in the City of London, England.-Early history:It was founded in 1123 by Raherus or Rahere , a favourite courtier of King Henry I...
and a member of the Worshipful Company of Clothworkers
Worshipful Company of Clothworkers
The Worshipful Company of Clothworkers was incorporated by Royal Charter in 1528, formed by the amalgamation of its two predecessor Companies, the Fullers and the Shearmen...
.
He was appointed High Sheriff of Caernarvonshire
High Sheriff of Caernarvonshire
This is a list of High Sheriffs of Caernarvonshire.The High Sheriff is the oldest secular office under the Crown. Formerly the High Sheriff was the principal law enforcement officer in the county but over the centuries most of the responsibilities associated with the post have been transferred...
for 1936.
Armstrong-Jones was married three times. Firstly, to Anne Messel (8 February 1902 - Jul 1992) on 22 July 1925; they divorced in 1934 (Anne later married the 6th Earl of Rosse) after having two children, Antony
Antony Armstrong-Jones, 1st Earl of Snowdon
Antony Charles Robert Armstrong-Jones, 1st Earl of Snowdon, GCVO, RDI is an English photographer and film maker. He was married to Princess Margaret, younger daughter of King George VI and younger sister of Queen Elizabeth II....
(b. 1930), the brother-in-law of Queen Elizabeth II
Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom
Elizabeth II is the constitutional monarch of 16 sovereign states known as the Commonwealth realms: the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, Barbados, the Bahamas, Grenada, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Belize,...
and Susan (c. 1932–1986). He married secondly, Carol Akhurst on 18 June 1936; they divorced in 1959 and Carol was killed in a car crash in 1966. Armstrong-Jones married thirdly, Jenifer Unite on 11 February 1960 and they had one son, Peregrine
Peregrine Armstrong-Jones
Peregrine Thomas Owen Llewelyn Armstrong Jones is an international party and events organiser.The son of Ronald Armstrong-Jones Q.C. and a younger half brother of the Earl of Snowdon, Armstrong-Jones was educated at Eton College and the Royal Agricultural College...
(b. 1960).