Harry Waechter

Sir Harry Waechter, 1st Baronet CMG DL (6 June 1871 – 20 May 1929)[1] was a British businessman and philanthropist.

He was the only son of Sir Max Waechter.[2] He was educated at Clifton College and Trinity College, Cambridge.[3] started developing the garden, now called "Ramsnest" near Chiddingfold in Surrey, which he purchased at some time between 1890 and 1900.[4] He also had property in Salisbury, Southern Rhodesia (now called Harare, Zimbabwe).

He was made a partner in Bessler, Waechter & Co. in 1901.[5] Waechter was appointed a deputy lieutenant of the County of London in September 1909.[6]

He was raised to the Baronetage in the 1911 New Year Honours.He is described in The Times article [7] as "Henry Waechter, Esq, Managing Director of the firm of Bessler, Waechter and Co. Limited, Shippers and Ship owners of which Sir Max Waechter is Chairman. Has given generous support to the Territorial Force and Cadet Corps in Surrey. High Sheriff of Surrey in 1910 and Master of the Chiddingfold Foxhounds."

In 1907, he instituted a Band Competition,[8] held at Ramsnest.

In 1912, he gave land in Woodbridge Road, Guildford to Guildford Borough Council, in trust, with cricket included in the objects of the Trust. This land is now the home of Guildford Cricket Club.[9]

He married Evelyn Mary Josephine d'Arcy in 1911. They had two sons and a daughter. She divorced him on 15 December 1923.[10]

He served in World War I (1914–1918) in France and in Italy he received the Croix de Guerre. He was appointed a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George in the 1919 New Year Honours for his efforts during the First World War.[11]

He died in Salisbury, Southern Rhodesia on 20 May 1929,[2] and was succeeded as Baronet by his son, Harry Leonard d'Arcy Waechter, born 22 May 1912 who died in 1985, extinguishing the title.

Notes and references

  1. ↑ Who was Who
  2. 1 2 Obituary, The Times, 22 May 1929 Page 10 Column D
  3. ↑ "Waechter, Harry Sedan (WCTR889HS)". A Cambridge Alumni Database. University of Cambridge.
  4. ↑ Coloured brochure for Ramsnest (on sale May 2006) - both 1890 and 1900 are given as dates for the purchase. It is a puzzle in that the brochure says Ramsnest was sold to the Normans in 1922 but Sir Harry gave Ramsnest as his address in his last Who's Who entry (1929)
  5. ↑ Times 6 February 1901 Page 11 Col e
  6. ↑ The London Gazette: no. 28290. p. 7049. 21 September 1909.
  7. ↑ Times 2 January 1911; Page 10 "New Years Honours"
  8. ↑ http://www.haslemeretownband.org.uk/history.htm
  9. ↑ http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/england/content/ground/57016.html
  10. ↑ The Times
  11. ↑ The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 31094. p. 64. 1 January 1919.
Baronetage of the United Kingdom
New creation Baronet
(of Ramsnest)
1911–1929 		Succeeded by
Harry Leonard d'Arcy Waechter
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