Alexandra Pelham, Lady Worsley
Encyclopedia
Alexandra Mary Freesia Pelham, née Vivian, Lady Worsley (27 February 1890–21 September 1963) was a British
volunteer and courtier.
Alexandra was a daughter of the 3rd Baron Vivian
and a godchild of Alexandra, Princess of Wales
(later Queen Alexandra). Among her siblings were Hon. Dorothy Maud (d. 1939), who later married General Haig
, the senior commander of the British Expeditionary Force during World War I
, and Hon. George Crespigny Brabazon
, later 4th Baron Vivian (1878-1940).
On 31 January 1911, she married Lt. Charles Pelham, Lord Worsley
, the eldest son and heir of the 4th Earl of Yarborough
. In 1914, Lady Apsley's husband was killed on active service in Belgium
during World War I
after only three years of marriage. She purchased the land where Lord Worlsey's body was buried in the town of Zandvoorde
, and after Worlsey's body was re-interred, the land became the site of the Household Cavalry Memorial.
The couple did not have any children and Lady Apsley did not remarry. In 1945, she was appointed an OBE
for her service to the war effort
with the WVS
and became an Extra Woman of the Bedchamber
to the Queen
in 1947. In 1953, she was promoted to a CBE
for her work with the Victoria League and died, aged 73, in 1963.
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...
volunteer and courtier.
Alexandra was a daughter of the 3rd Baron Vivian
Hussey Vivian, 3rd Baron Vivian
Hussey Crespigny Vivian, 3rd Baron Vivian, GCMG, CB, DL, FRGS was a British diplomat.Born at Connaught Place, London, Vivian was the eldest son of Charles Vivian, 2nd Baron Vivian and was educated at Eton College...
and a godchild of Alexandra, Princess of Wales
Alexandra of Denmark
Alexandra of Denmark was the wife of Edward VII of the United Kingdom...
(later Queen Alexandra). Among her siblings were Hon. Dorothy Maud (d. 1939), who later married General Haig
Douglas Haig, 1st Earl Haig
Field Marshal Douglas Haig, 1st Earl Haig, KT, GCB, OM, GCVO, KCIE, ADC, was a British senior officer during World War I. He commanded the British Expeditionary Force from 1915 to the end of the War...
, the senior commander of the British Expeditionary Force 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...
, and Hon. George Crespigny Brabazon
George Vivian, 4th Baron Vivian
George Crespigny Brabazon Vivian, 4th Lord Vivian, DSO TD was a British soldier who served with distinction in both the Second Anglo-Boer War and World War I.-Early life:...
, later 4th Baron Vivian (1878-1940).
On 31 January 1911, she married Lt. Charles Pelham, Lord Worsley
Charles Pelham, Lord Worsley
Charles Sackville Pelham, Lord Worsley was a British soldier. He was the son of Charles Pelham, 4th Earl of Yarborough and Marcia Pelham, Countess of Yarborough. On 31 January 1911, Lord Pelham married Alexandra Mary Freesia Vivian, daughter of Hussey Vivian, 3rd Baron Vivian and the former Louisa...
, the eldest son and heir of the 4th Earl of Yarborough
Charles Pelham, 4th Earl of Yarborough
Charles Alfred Worsley Pelham, 4th Earl of Yarborough KG, PC , styled Lord Worsley until 1875, was a British peer and politician...
. In 1914, Lady Apsley's husband was killed on active service in Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
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...
after only three years of marriage. She purchased the land where Lord Worlsey's body was buried in the town of Zandvoorde
Zandvoorde (Zonnebeke)
Zandvoorde is a village in the Belgian province of West Flanders and a part of the municipality of Zonnebeke. Zandvoorde is a rural village, in the rolling landscape of the southern part of the province.-History:...
, and after Worlsey's body was re-interred, the land became the site of the Household Cavalry Memorial.
The couple did not have any children and Lady Apsley did not remarry. In 1945, she was appointed an OBE
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...
for her service to the war effort
War effort
In politics and military planning, a war effort refers to a coordinated mobilization of society's resources—both industrial and human—towards the support of a military force...
with the WVS
WRVS
The WRVS is a voluntary organisation concerned with helping people in need throughout England, Scotland and Wales....
and became an Extra Woman of the Bedchamber
Woman of the Bedchamber
In the Royal Household of the United Kingdom the term Woman of the Bedchamber is used to describe a woman attending either a queen regnant or queen consort, in the role of Lady-in-Waiting...
to the Queen
Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon
Elizabeth Angela Marguerite Bowes-Lyon was the queen consort of King George VI from 1936 until her husband's death in 1952, after which she was known as Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, to avoid confusion with her daughter, Queen Elizabeth II...
in 1947. In 1953, she was promoted to a CBE
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...
for her work with the Victoria League and died, aged 73, in 1963.