William Dudley Ward
Encyclopedia
William Dudley Ward PC (14 October 1877 – 11 November 1946), was a British
sportsman and Liberal
politician.
, the son of William Humble Dudley Ward and the great-grandson of William Humble Ward, 10th Baron Ward (see Earl of Dudley
for further information on the Ward family.) His mother was the Honourable Eugenie Violet Adele Brett, daughter of William Brett, 1st Viscount Esher. He was educated at Eton
and Trinity College, Cambridge
.
in the Boat Race in 1897, when Oxford won. As President of Cambridge University Boat Club (CUBC), he rowed in the winning Cambridge crews in the 1899 and 1900 Boat Races. At Henley Royal Regatta
he was runner up in Silver Goblets in 1900 partnering Raymond Etherington-Smith
. His crew won the Stewards' Challenge Cup
in 1901. In 1902 he won the Grand Challenge Cup
, the Stewards' Challenge Cup again, and the Silver Goblets partnering Claude Taylor
. In 1903 his crew won the Stewards' and Grand again. Dudley Ward was also an accomplished sailor
. He competed in the 1908 Summer Olympics
and was a crew member of the British boat Sorais, which won the bronze medal in the 8 metre class.
in 1906, a seat he held until 1922, and served under H. H. Asquith
as Treasurer of the Household
from 1909 to 1912. During the First World War he was a Lieutenant Commander in the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve, though this may have been a cover for his counter-espionage work for Admiral Sir William Reginald Hall
, Director of Naval Intelligence
. He served under David Lloyd George
as Vice-Chamberlain of the Household
from 1917 to 1922. In 1922 he was admitted to the Privy Council.
(better known under her married name of Freda Dudley Ward), daughter of Colonel Charles Wilfred Birkin, in 1913. She was a socialite and mistress of Edward, Prince of Wales
. The marriage produced two daughters, of whom the eldest, Penelope Dudley Ward
, was a leading actress in the 1930s and 1940s. The couple were divorced in 1931. After retiring from politics he divided his time between England and Canada. He died in Calgary
in November 1949, aged 69m after an operation. Freda remarried in 1937 and died in March 1983, aged 88.
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...
sportsman and Liberal
Liberal Party (UK)
The Liberal Party was one of the two major political parties of the United Kingdom during the 19th and early 20th centuries. It was a third party of negligible importance throughout the latter half of the 20th Century, before merging with the Social Democratic Party in 1988 to form the present day...
politician.
Early life
Dudley Ward was born in LondonLondon
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, the son of William Humble Dudley Ward and the great-grandson of William Humble Ward, 10th Baron Ward (see Earl of Dudley
Earl of Dudley
Earl of Dudley, of Dudley Castle in the County of Stafford, is a title that has been created twice in the Peerage of the United Kingdom, both times for members of the Ward family. This family descends from Sir Humble Ward, the son of a wealthy goldsmith and jeweller to King Charles I...
for further information on the Ward family.) His mother was the Honourable Eugenie Violet Adele Brett, daughter of William Brett, 1st Viscount Esher. 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 Trinity College, Cambridge
Trinity College, Cambridge
Trinity College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge. Trinity has more members than any other college in Cambridge or Oxford, with around 700 undergraduates, 430 graduates, and over 170 Fellows...
.
Sporting activities
Dudley Ward rowed for CambridgeCambridge University Boat Club
The Cambridge University Boat Club is the rowing club of the University of Cambridge, England, located on the River Cam at Cambridge, although training primarily takes place on the River Great Ouse at Ely. The club was founded in 1828...
in the Boat Race in 1897, when Oxford won. As President of Cambridge University Boat Club (CUBC), he rowed in the winning Cambridge crews in the 1899 and 1900 Boat Races. At Henley Royal Regatta
Henley Royal Regatta
Henley Royal Regatta is a rowing event held every year on the River Thames by the town of Henley-on-Thames, England. The Royal Regatta is sometimes referred to as Henley Regatta, its original name pre-dating Royal patronage...
he was runner up in Silver Goblets in 1900 partnering Raymond Etherington-Smith
Raymond Etherington-Smith
Raymond Broadley Etherington-Smith was a British doctor and rower who competed in the 1908 Summer Olympics.Etherington-Smith was born at Putney...
. His crew won the Stewards' Challenge Cup
Stewards' Challenge Cup
The Stewards' Challenge Cup is a rowing event for men's coxless fours at the annual Henley Royal Regatta on the River Thames at Henley-on-Thames in England. It is open to male crews from all eligible rowing clubs. Two or more clubs may combine to make an entry....
in 1901. In 1902 he won the Grand Challenge Cup
Grand Challenge Cup
The Grand Challenge Cup is a rowing competition for men's eights. It is the oldest and most prestigious event at the annual Henley Royal Regatta on the River Thames at Henley-on-Thames in England. It is open to male crews from all eligible rowing clubs...
, the Stewards' Challenge Cup again, and the Silver Goblets partnering Claude Taylor
Claude Taylor (rower)
Claude Waterhouse Hearn Taylor CBE, DSO was an English rower who twice won the Silver Goblets at Henley Royal Regatta.Taylor was born in London, the son of John Henry Taylor. He was educated at Eton and Trinity College, Cambridge. He rowed for Cambridge in the Boat Race in 1901, 1902 and 1903...
. In 1903 his crew won the Stewards' and Grand again. Dudley Ward was also an accomplished sailor
Sailor
A sailor, mariner, or seaman is a person who navigates water-borne vessels or assists in their operation, maintenance, or service. The term can apply to professional mariners, military personnel, and recreational sailors as well as a plethora of other uses...
. He competed in the 1908 Summer Olympics
1908 Summer Olympics
The 1908 Summer Olympics, officially the Games of the IV Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event which was held in 1908 in London, England, United Kingdom. These games were originally scheduled to be held in Rome. At the time they were the fifth modern Olympic games...
and was a crew member of the British boat Sorais, which won the bronze medal in the 8 metre class.
Political career
Dudley Ward was returned to Parliament for SouthamptonSouthampton (UK Parliament constituency)
Southampton was a parliamentary constituency which was represented in the British House of Commons. Centred on the town of Southampton, it returned two Members of Parliament from 1295 until it was abolished for the 1950 general election....
in 1906, a seat he held until 1922, and served under H. H. Asquith
H. H. Asquith
Herbert Henry Asquith, 1st Earl of Oxford and Asquith, KG, PC, KC served as the Liberal Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1908 to 1916...
as Treasurer of the Household
Treasurer of the Household
The position of Treasurer of the Household is theoretically held by a household official of the British monarch, under control of the Lord Steward's Department, but is, in fact, a political office held by one of the government's Deputy Chief Whips in the House of Commons...
from 1909 to 1912. During the First World War he was a Lieutenant Commander in the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve, though this may have been a cover for his counter-espionage work for Admiral Sir William Reginald Hall
William Reginald Hall
Admiral Sir William Reginald Hall, KCMG, CB, RN was the British Director of Naval Intelligence from 1914 to 1919...
, Director of Naval Intelligence
Director of Naval Intelligence
The Director of Naval Intelligence refers to either one of two posts, both related to naval intelligence:* The head of the Naval Intelligence Division of the British Admiralty; or* The head of the Office of Naval Intelligence in the United States....
. He served under David Lloyd George
David Lloyd George
David Lloyd George, 1st Earl Lloyd-George of Dwyfor OM, PC was a British Liberal politician and statesman...
as Vice-Chamberlain of the Household
Vice-Chamberlain of the Household
The Vice-Chamberlain of the Household is usually a junior government whip in the British House of Commons and is an officer of the Royal Household of the Sovereign of the United Kingdom. He or she is the Deputy to the Lord Chamberlain of the Household. The Vice-Chamberlain's main role is to compile...
from 1917 to 1922. In 1922 he was admitted to the Privy Council.
Personal life
Dudley Ward reportedly "had a liking for the fleshpots and was known, on occasions, to turn up for training still dressed in white tie and tails." He married Winifred May "Freda" BirkinFreda Dudley Ward
Winifred May, Marquesa de Casa Maury , universally known by her first married name as Freda Dudley Ward, was an English socialite best known for being a mistress of the Prince of Wales, who later became King Edward VIII.-Life:Born Winifred May Birkin, she was the second child and eldest of three...
(better known under her married name of Freda Dudley Ward), daughter of Colonel Charles Wilfred Birkin, in 1913. She was a socialite and mistress of Edward, Prince of Wales
Edward VIII of the United Kingdom
Edward VIII was King of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Commonwealth, and Emperor of India, from 20 January to 11 December 1936.Before his accession to the throne, Edward was Prince of Wales and Duke of Cornwall and Rothesay...
. The marriage produced two daughters, of whom the eldest, Penelope Dudley Ward
Penelope Dudley Ward
Penelope Ann Rachel, Lady Reed , known as Penelope Dudley-Ward, was an English actress.Born Penelope Anne Rachel Dudley Ward in London, she was the elder daughter of The Right Honourable William Dudley Ward and the leading socialite Freda Dudley Ward, most well-known for being the long-time...
, was a leading actress in the 1930s and 1940s. The couple were divorced in 1931. After retiring from politics he divided his time between England and Canada. He died in Calgary
Calgary
Calgary is a city in the Province of Alberta, Canada. It is located in the south of the province, in an area of foothills and prairie, approximately east of the front ranges of the Canadian Rockies...
in November 1949, aged 69m after an operation. Freda remarried in 1937 and died in March 1983, aged 88.