LAWRENCE, Rt Hon 5th (and final) Baron 1937-2023 TITLE EXTINCT

[Richard R]

From the Telegraph of 24 Aug 2023: LAWRENCE David John Downer, 5th Baron Lawrence of the Punjab and Grateley died peacefully at home on 14th August 2023, aged 85. Beloved brother and brother-in-law of Robin and Caroline Hartley. He will be greatly missed by his wider family and many friends. All enquiries to A B Walker Funeral Directors…

He was s of 4^th Baron LAWRENCE 1908-68 and his 1^st w (her 1^st h, her 2^nd was John N Hartley) Margaret Jean b 31 Aug 1915 & d 10 Oct 1976 [sic DPB says d 1977] d of Arthur DOWNER 1878- of Rotherfield, Kent and Florence Amelia _ 1881-.

[dpth...@gmail.com]

The Peerage works indicate that the title used the spelling "Punjaub", which seems to be an uncommon spelling of "Punjab".

[bx...@yahoo.com]

This is the second peerage extinction this year, following the Gough viscountcy.

Brooke

[Henry W]

Its worth mentioning that the 1st Baron had 8 male-line grandsons: 2 died in infancy; 1 died aged 13.  Of the 5 that survived childhood, 4 were killed in the First World War.  Only the 3rd Baron survived to have children of his own.  Whilst not mentioned in the Leigh Rayment "Roll of Honour", I often think it should be, because if those 4 men had survived its likely that the title would have an heir today.

[bx...@yahoo.com]

Thanks, Henry, for this additional information.  It makes the extinction of the title even more poignant.

It's also  a reminder of how a war that ended over 100 years ago, still reverberates when it comes to the peerage.

Brooke

[colinp]

His sister Caroline mentioned in the death notice is not mentioned in Debrett's or Burke's.  A stepsister?

[S. S.]

Wasn't the 5th Baron Lawrence an only child? Probably a stepsister then. 

S.S.

[gorgo...@gmail.com]

Colinp, 

as I understand, Caroline is Robin's wife and Robin Hartley is a half-brother or step-brother (son of John N Hartley).