Francis Annesley, 6th Earl Annesley

Francis Annesley, 6th Earl of Annesley (25 February 1884 – 6 November 1914) was an Anglo-Irish peer and pioneer aviator who died in a plane crash at sea.^[1]

Biography

He was the only son of Hugh Annesley, 5th Earl Annesley and his first wife, Mabel Markham. He was born on 25 February 1884 at Castlewellan, Kilmegan, County Down, Ireland. On 14 February 1909 he married Evelyn Hester Mundy.^[1] They had no children.

He was a Sub-Lieutenant in the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve. Later he joined the Royal Naval Air Service.

Between 1884 and 1908 he was styled as Viscount Glerawly. He was educated at Eton and Trinity College, Cambridge. He succeeded as Earl on 15 December 1908.

Before obtaining his age of majority he sailed from Liverpool to Vancouver, around Cape Horn, serving as a sailor before the mast. Later he crossed the Atlantic on board a three-masted schooner yacht Karina as one of the guests of Robert E. Todd of the New York Yacht club.

He was a noted big game shot.

Prior to joining 2 (Naval) Squadron, Royal Naval Air Service at Eastchurch, he distinguished himself serving with the R.N.A.S. Armoured Car Division, with his armoured motorcar in helping to check the advance of the Germans on Brussels and in the defence of Antwerp.

After his death his estate was valued at £42,751.

He was last seen alive on 6 November 1914 leaving Eastchurch, England in a Bristol T.B.8 biplane, serial 1220, flown by Flight Lieutenant C.F. Beevor, R.N.A.S., bound for France / Flanders. They were never seen again. His death was presumed on 2 December 1914 by Mr. Justice Astbury. Two German prisoners had been interrogated and it was established that the two aviators had been shot down when a German shell had hit the petrol tank of their aircraft and it had fallen in flames near Dixmude.^[1]

Legacy

He was succeeded by Walter Beresford Annesley, 7th Earl Annesley (1861–1934).^[1]

References

1. "Earl Annesley Missing. Is Army Aviator and Left England by Aeroplane Last Friday". New York Times. 11 November 1914. Retrieved 7 October 2010. Francis Annesley, the sixth Earl of Annesley. Is a relatively young man, having been born in 1884. He married, in 1909, Evelyn Hester Mundy.