Dowager Viscountess Devonport, widow of 2nd Viscount

[Michael Rhodes]

The Dowager Viscountess Devonport, of Peasmarsh, Rye, East Sussex,
widow of the 2nd Viscount Devonport (1890-1973), died 21 November,
2006. She was the former Sheila Isabel Hope-Murray, daughter of Colonel
Charles Hope-Murray, of Morishill, Beith, Ayrshire, and married Gerald
Chester Kearley, 2nd Viscount Devonport in 1938. she leaves a son,
Terence, 3rd viscount, and a daughter, the Hon Marilyn, b. 1939.
Funeral Thursday 30 November, 2006, at Church of St. Peter & Paul,
Peasmarsh, near Rye, East Sussex.

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[Michael Rhodes]

Just a thought....but do I recall a IRA kidnapping (or foiled
attempted) re this family circa 1975-76 ?

[marquess]

Michael Rhodes wrote:

Does anyone know if the current Viscount has managed to produce an
heir? I recall reading in Dempster's column, that he owned a 14,000
acre estate, I wonder if that will go to his daughters?

[Michael Rhodes]

No, he has only daughters.....

[Leigh Rayment]

Your recollection is fairly accurate, Michael.

The following extract is from "The Times" of Wednesday 19 March 1975

"Detectives were interviewing a man last night after an attempt to kidnap
the Dowager Lady Devonport early yesterday from her home in Sussex.

"Lady Devonport, widow of the second Viscount and mother of the present
peer, was awakened by a man who climbed a ladder into her first floor
bedroom at Peasmarsh Place, Peasmarsh, near Rye, Sussex, at 1:30 am.
He ordered her to put on heavy clothing over her nightdress and then
marched her downstairs and 20 yards across lawns and gardens.

"At Church Lane, which runs by the house, Lady Devonport waved at a
police car which was on its way tp Peasmarsh Place after an alarm call.

"As police officers ran forward to help, her captor pushed her in the face
and escaped across the fields.

"Officers, some with dofs, gave chase. Later a man went to Rye police
station. Lady Devonport, who is believed to be in her sixties, had minor
cuts and bruises.

"The man, who is believed to have set off an alarm when he broke into the
20-room house, was wearing dark clothing and had a stocking mask."

The crime was committed by Peter John Mathews, aged 36, a local farmer
who was apparently in serious financial difficulties. He was found guilty
of kidnapping Lady Devonport at the Central Criminal Court on 5
December 1975 and was sentenced to 15 years.

Leigh

[Michael Rhodes]

Thanks for that! I'm sooooo old.......

[David Gabriel]

How old was she?

[G. Willis]

Hello David, I had a quick look into this, and found nothing in published sources re: birth year; the Oct-Nov-Dec 2006 death record of "Sheila Isobel Devonport" gives her birth date as 5 July, 1908; given the record was registered at Lewes, and the notice indicates her to have been of Rye, I think this is the same individual.

[David Gabriel]

Thank you.