Sir Cennydd George Traherne KG (1910-95)

[Nick Kingsley]

Sir Cennydd George Traherne was made a Knight of the Garter in 1970. He was a barrister and a significant landowner in Wales, had a moderately distinguished record in the Second World War (retiring with the rank of Colonel) and was Lord Lieutenant of Glamorganshire (and later of Mid, West & South Glamorgan), 1952-85. He stood unsuccessfully for parliament in 1945 but was never an MP, and as far as I can see held no diplomatic or other overseas posting. He was made a knight bachelor in 1964 and I could understand him receiving a KCVO towards the end of his term as Lord Lieutenant, but his appointment to the exalted company of the Garter seems surprising, and I wonder if anyone knows what lay behind it?

[Richard R]

Hi Nick

I note he was one of four KGs made on the same date, all with no reasons given for their appointment. I think quite often people are 'Gartered' after many years of personal service to the sovereign and her family, but it's strange he got it some 15 years before the end of his time as LL. This is all a personal view. His Times obit points out he hosted the Queen at the Empire Games in Cardiff in 1958 where she announced her son would be Prince of Wales, and in 1982 bid farewell to The Pope on his departure after a state visit, simply mentioning in passing his appt as Kt & later KG.

[S. S.]

It is not an usual thing now for Lords-Lieutenant to be made KG. 

• Dame Mary Peters DBE was made LG in 2019. She had been an Olympic champion winning gold in 1972. Other than sports related positions, she was Lord-Lieutenant for Belfast 2009-14.
• Dame Florence Fagan DCVO was made LG in 2018. She was Lord-Lieutenant of Hampshire 1994-2014.
• Sir David Brewer was made KG in 2016. He was Lord Mayor of London 2005-06 and was Lord-Lieutenant of Greater London 2008-15.
• The 5th Baron Shuttleworth is KG since 2016. He was previously KCVO in 2011, probably for being Lord-Lieutenant of Lancashire since 1997. He would servce in that position till 2023. He was also Chairman of the Duchy of Lancaster 2006-14. 
• Sir Timothy Colman KCVO was Lord-Lieutenant of Hereford and Worcester 1977-98, Herefordshire 1998-2008 and Worcestershire 1998-2001. He had received KCVO in 1995 for this service and was later made KG in 2008.
• Timothy Colman was a businessman and yachtsmen. He was Lord-Lieutenant of Norfolk 1978-2004 and was made KG in 1996. His appointment was probably a mix of his business background and as Lord-Lieutenant. 

Since the Order of the Garter is in the hand of the Crown, I suspect they are more likely to pick someone in royal service, i.e. being a Lord-Lieutenant, in conjuction with other factors. Another reason is you must remember the Garter was frequently given out as a reward for political service as well in the past. These days that would be more controversial to give to a politician etc, so besides the more eminent figures appointed, the only other group of people who could be appointed are those with royal service. 

S.S.

[S. S.]

Some more info on the life and career of Traherne: 

Cennydd George Traherne, of Dyffryn House, Glamorgans, s of Cdr Llewellym Edmund Traherne RN (b 14 Sept 1863; KIA 14 Oct 1914 during WWI), by Dorothy Emma Olivia (d 9 Oct 1957 at Thurso, Caithness), dau of George Felix Standish Sinclair, ygr s of Sir John George Tollemache Sinclair, 3rd Bt, of Ulbster, Caithness; b 14 Dec 1910 at Coedarhydyglyn, nr Cardiff; educ Wellington, Brasenose Coll Oxf (MA);

served during WWII as Col RA (Dep Assist Provost Marshal in 2nd Army; present in France in early days of D-Day);

contested (Con) Pontypridd, 1945;

Ld-Lt of Glamorgan, 1952-74; Ld-Lt of South, Mid and W Glamorgan, 1974-85; Freeman: Borough of Vale of Glamorgan 19 March 1984, City of Cardiff 29 Jan 1985;

Pres: Cardiff Naturalists’ Soc; Chair: Glamorgan Archives Jt Cttee 1952-85, Cardiff Branch of St John’s Ambulance Brigade; Dir: Glamorgan County History Tst Ltd till 1994;

TD; KG, 23 Apr 1970;

He mar 1934 at Linton, Cambs, Olivera Rowena Binney OBE. He d 26 Jan 1995 (aged 84). His widow was b 3 Sept 1910 at Pampisford, Cambs. She d 22 Oct 1986 (aged 76).

S.S.

[Nick Kingsley]

Thanks for your thoughts on this. I am quite surprised by S.S.'s list of other cases of Lords Lieutenant being made KG, although these do seem to be more recent. Perhaps his long tenure in that role (18 years already by 1970) was deemed to merit something more than the customary KCVO.

Nick

[David Turner]

I'm afraid Sir Timothy Colman was not LL of Hereford & Worcester. That was Sir Thomas Dunne.

[BREMENMURRAY]

Sir Timothy Colman was married to a niece of Queen Elizabeth no doubt this helped

[S. S.]

Maybe Traherne was picked as he was Welsh. I do not know how many other Welshmen have been appointed KG, though that could be a factor at the time as well, together with his long tenure. Oh and yes I transposed Colman and Dunne's tenures when I was looking through Wikipedia, my bad :)

S.S.

[malcolm davies]

Treherne is described by Hugo Vickers in his book “Royal Orders” as one of the “regional knights”.

The selection by the Sovereign came about in the reign of George VI and was thought to be an improvement.

In my opinion,however,the more recent appointments have been less than stellar.For one thing there are too many civil servants eg Butler,Manningham-Buller & King or military members Stirrup & Peach(especially when the military haven’t been engaged in war) and dubious politicians Amos & Patten,and a law lord,Phillips all of whom have been honoured for doing their day job.

But as Palmerston is reported to have said about the Garter “there is no damn merit” in it.

[nwkin...@gmail.com]

Yes, it had occurred to me that he might have been selected because of a desire to ensure that all the home nations were represented in the membership of the order, not least at a time when the investiture of the PoW the previous year had drawn attention to Welsh affairs.

 

Nick

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