Sarah Winter
Encyclopedia
Sarah Winter née Domville-Taylor (1870–1944) was a noted British Nazi Supporter and member of the British Union of Facists, as well as a noted Society hostess throughout the 1920s and 1930s.
Sarah Domville-Taylor was born in 1870 in Ludlow, the youngest of five daughters of Walter Domville-Taylor JP and his wife Mary Hamilton, daughter of Col. Christopher Hamilton MP. She grew up in an impoverished but Upper class
home with a house in Shropshire and a house in London, 48 Belgrave Square
. She grew up with a German governess Baroness von Altenburg and was taught a very pro German and Anti-semetic ideology.
After being educated at home and then at Finishing School
, she made her appearance at court as a debutante
, in 1890, the year she also married her only husband Robert Winter (1872–1898), whose family were major landowners in Newport, Shropshire
. They had one child, Arthur Trevor Winter, educated at Fettes College
and who was a banker with Barclays. He refused to ever talk of his mother's political views, his grandson was Michael Winter (professor)
. Her husband's cousin was Ormonde Winter
, another noted British Fascist, who was married to a first cousin of Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon
, emphasizing her position in British Society. Many historians believe that this close family relationship with King George VI, was hugely responsible for her apparent diplomatic and social immunity during these years.
Following her husband's death of typhoid, Mrs Winter devoted her life to charity but also to the social life she loved and cherished. Her annual Hamilton House Christmas Ball was always well attended, including an appearance from Edward VII in 1902. She was not Pro-German at this time but began to be more so after the end of the First World War, on hearing accounts from her relation Ian Standish Monteith Hamilton
.
She joined the Anglo-German Fellowship
in 1935 and the British Union of Fascists
. in the same year, her knowledge and support for the Nazi party grew in this time and continued to her legendary display of the Nazi flag at all her residences on the eve after the Anschluss
. Unlike many of her contemporary Nazi supporters she was not interned under Defence Regulation 18B
, for reasons unknown, however many historians believe her friendship to leading political figures including Winston Churchill
himself maintained her security. She instead retreated to Shropshire where she continued her support for Nazi Germany and was frequently accused of espionage
. After the war, her actions were not looked into due to intervention from Geoffrey Lawrence, 1st Baron Oaksey
and Sir David Maxwell-Fyfe, who were both close friends of hers in pre-war London..
She died in 1944 and is buried at Pershore
, Worcestershire
Sarah Domville-Taylor was born in 1870 in Ludlow, the youngest of five daughters of Walter Domville-Taylor JP and his wife Mary Hamilton, daughter of Col. Christopher Hamilton MP. She grew up in an impoverished but Upper class
Upper class
In social science, the "upper class" is the group of people at the top of a social hierarchy. Members of an upper class may have great power over the allocation of resources and governmental policy in their area.- Historical meaning :...
home with a house in Shropshire and a house in London, 48 Belgrave Square
48 Belgrave Square
48 Belgrave Square is a London Town House situated on the North East Terrace of Belgrave Square near to Grosvenor Crescent, until 2009 it held the record for the longest family ownership of any house on Belgrave Square, with almost 170 years of ownership....
. She grew up with a German governess Baroness von Altenburg and was taught a very pro German and Anti-semetic ideology.
After being educated at home and then at Finishing School
Finishing school
A finishing school is "a private school for girls that emphasises training in cultural and social activities." The name reflects that it follows on from ordinary school and is intended to complete the educational experience, with classes primarily on etiquette...
, she made her appearance at court as a debutante
Debutante
A débutante is a young lady from an aristocratic or upper class family who has reached the age of maturity, and as a new adult, is introduced to society at a formal "début" presentation. It should not be confused with a Debs...
, in 1890, the year she also married her only husband Robert Winter (1872–1898), whose family were major landowners in Newport, Shropshire
Newport, Shropshire
Newport is a market town in the borough of Telford and Wrekin and ceremonial county of Shropshire, England. It lies some north of Telford and some west of Stafford sitting on the Shropshire/Staffordshire border...
. They had one child, Arthur Trevor Winter, educated at Fettes College
Fettes College
Fettes College is an independent school for boarding and day pupils in Edinburgh, Scotland with over two thirds of its pupils in residence on campus...
and who was a banker with Barclays. He refused to ever talk of his mother's political views, his grandson was Michael Winter (professor)
Michael Winter (professor)
Canon Professor Michael Winter, OBE, PhD, BSc is a prominent expert on rural politics and economics.-Early Life:He was born in Launceston, Cornwall in 1955, the son of David Winter a farmer and lecturer and his wife Jeanne Nanette...
. Her husband's cousin was Ormonde Winter
Ormonde Winter
Brigadier-General Sir Ormonde de l'Épée Winter KBE CB CMG DSO was a British Army officer and author who after service in World War I was responsible for intelligence operations in Ireland during the Anglo-Irish War...
, another noted British Fascist, who was married to a first cousin of Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon
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...
, emphasizing her position in British Society. Many historians believe that this close family relationship with King George VI, was hugely responsible for her apparent diplomatic and social immunity during these years.
Following her husband's death of typhoid, Mrs Winter devoted her life to charity but also to the social life she loved and cherished. Her annual Hamilton House Christmas Ball was always well attended, including an appearance from Edward VII in 1902. She was not Pro-German at this time but began to be more so after the end of the First World War, on hearing accounts from her relation Ian Standish Monteith Hamilton
Ian Standish Monteith Hamilton
General Sir Ian Standish Monteith Hamilton GCB GCMG DSO TD was a general in the British Army and is most notably for commanding the ill-fated Mediterranean Expeditionary Force during the Battle of Gallipoli....
.
She joined the Anglo-German Fellowship
Anglo-German Fellowship
The Anglo-German Fellowship was a group which existed from 1935 to 1939 and aimed to build up friendship between the United Kingdom and Germany; it was widely perceived as being allied to Nazism...
in 1935 and the British Union of Fascists
British Union of Fascists
The British Union was a political party in the United Kingdom formed in 1932 by Sir Oswald Mosley as the British Union of Fascists, in 1936 it changed its name to the British Union of Fascists and National Socialists and then in 1937 to simply the British Union...
. in the same year, her knowledge and support for the Nazi party grew in this time and continued to her legendary display of the Nazi flag at all her residences on the eve after the Anschluss
Anschluss
The Anschluss , also known as the ', was the occupation and annexation of Austria into Nazi Germany in 1938....
. Unlike many of her contemporary Nazi supporters she was not interned under Defence Regulation 18B
Defence Regulation 18B
Defence Regulation 18B, often referred to as simply 18B, was the most famous of the Defence Regulations used by the British Government during World War II. The complete technical reference name for this rule was: Regulation 18B of the Defence Regulations 1939. It allowed for the internment of...
, for reasons unknown, however many historians believe her friendship to leading political figures including Winston Churchill
Winston Churchill
Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill, was a predominantly Conservative British politician and statesman known for his leadership of the United Kingdom during the Second World War. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest wartime leaders of the century and served as Prime Minister twice...
himself maintained her security. She instead retreated to Shropshire where she continued her support for Nazi Germany and was frequently accused of espionage
Espionage
Espionage or spying involves an individual obtaining information that is considered secret or confidential without the permission of the holder of the information. Espionage is inherently clandestine, lest the legitimate holder of the information change plans or take other countermeasures once it...
. After the war, her actions were not looked into due to intervention from Geoffrey Lawrence, 1st Baron Oaksey
Geoffrey Lawrence, 1st Baron Oaksey
Geoffrey Lawrence, 3rd Baron Trevethin, 1st Baron Oaksey, DSO, TD, KC, PC was the main British Judge during the Nuremberg trials after World War II, and President of the Judicial group.-Early life:...
and Sir David Maxwell-Fyfe, who were both close friends of hers in pre-war London..
She died in 1944 and is buried at Pershore
Pershore
Pershore is a market town in Worcestershire, England, on the banks of the River Avon. Pershore is in the Wychavon district and is part of the West Worcestershire parliamentary constituency. At the 2001 census the population was 7,304...
, Worcestershire