Arthur Edward Capel, alias Boy Capel (d. 21 December 1919) - query
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Shinjinee
Jul 31, 2009, 4:06:31 AM7/31/09
to Peerage News
I am looking for some dates and more detail for this man, who appears
in a recent French-language film about Chanel starring Audrey Tatou.
Any corrections would be appreciated.
Capel is briefly described in Burke's Landed Gentry (18th and 19th
editions) and The Complete Peerage, which call him Arthur Edward
Capel.
This is what I need ideally:
1. Date of birth - unknown
2. parentage - said to be an illegitimate son of a banker, according
to one French-language site. Said to have some connection with the
earls of Essex (also Capel or Capell)
3. Exact date and place of his marriage to Hon Diana Wyndham, nee
Lister in 1918
4. Exact date and place of death of Diana, now Dowager Countess of
Westmorland in 1983
5. Exact date and place of birth of her daughter Ann Diana France
Ayesha Capel (1919- by 4 May 2008)
6. Exact date and place of birth of her posthumous daughter June Capel
(June 1920 - 26 November 2006)
7. Exact date of death of Hon. Anthony Giles Humble Ward (1943-1983).
SOURCES
[sources - I contributed to the genealogy part of this article, but
see many errors have crept in]
1. http://groups.google.co.in/group/alt.talk.royalty/browse_thread/thread/89042aece8a29eae/
Michael Rhodes posting to my query "Question regarding Diana, late
Countess of Westmorland" on Diana, Dowager Countess of Westmorland
back on 11 September 2001
2. Wikipedia article
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boy_Capel
Captain Arthur Edward 'Boy' Capel,[1] CBE (d. 21 December 1919 in a
motor accident) was an English polo player best remembered for his
affair with, and influence on the style of, Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel.
..
In his daughter's obituary, Capel was described as "an intellectual,
politician, tycoon, polo-player and the dashing lover and sponsor of
the fashion designer Coco Chanel."[2]. Nothing else is known of his
earlier life; there are hints in biographies of Chanel about his
(illegitimate) connections with the Capel earls of Essex but no
connection has been established. He was already a rich man, and
apparently a self-made man, by 1909.
...
Marriage and children
In 1918 [exact date?], Capel married the Honourable Diana Wyndham, née
Lister (7 May 1893-1983), a daughter of Lord Ribblesdale and widow of
Captain Percy Lyulph Wyndham (killed in action 1914), who was the half-
brother of the Duke of Westminster. Diana's elder sister Laura was
married to Lord Lovat, and another sister to a baronet.
By Diana, Capel had two daughters:
1. Ann Diana France Ayesha Capel (1918 [1919 per the Ruvigny page] -4
May 2008). Ann was married three times and had children with her first
two husbands. In 1940 she married her first husband, George Reginald
Ward (1907-1988), who in 1960 became first Viscount Ward of Witley.
Ward was a younger son of the 2nd Earl of Dudley. They divorced in
1951. She had two children with him: a son who died unmarried in his
parents' lifetime at the age of 40, and a daughter. On 7 August 1951
she married Richard Thurstan Holland-Martin (26 December 1908-1968)
[6], by whom she had two sons: Barnaby Robert (b. 1952) and Giles
Thurstan (1955 - 4 May 2008). They were divorced in 1966. Ann Capel's
third and final husband was Peter Higgins.[7]
[note - Ann Capel thus had 1 son and 1 daughter by her first
husband, two sons by her 2nd husband, and no issue by her 3rd husband.
Her eldest son Hon. Anthony Giles Humble Ward (1943-1983) predeceased
her, dying unmarried in 1983 aged 40 - same year as his maternal
grandmother?]
2. June Capel ([full date lacking - June 1920 per her obit] 1920-26
September 2006), later Lady Hutchinson of Lullington. June was born
after her father died, and he was apparently even unaware of her
conception. Thus, he made no provisions for her in his will, and the
will had to be contested to ensure that June got her fair share of her
father's fortune (most of it subsequently stolen by a lawyer,
according to Lady Hutchinson's obituary). In 1948 June married Franz
Osborn, by whom she had a son Christopher. Her second marriage took
place in May 1966 to Baron Jeremy Hutchinson, QC (born 28 March 1915).
Hutchinson was the former husband of Dame Peggy Ashcroft[8]. Her
second husband was created a life peer on 16 May 1978 with the title
Baron Hutchinson of Lullington, of Lullington in the County of East
Sussex.
Capel's living descendants today include the Honourable Mrs Patrick
Tritton (daughter of his elder daughter Ann) and three sons by his
younger daughter June, Lady Hutchinson. [incorrect - he has one living
grandson - Barnaby Robert Holland-Martin (b. 1952) by his elder
daughter Ann, and one living grandson Christopher Osborn (b. 19__) by
his younger daughter June]. He had no issue with Chanel (who died
childless).
[edit]References
^ His entry in thePeerage.com describes him as Edward Arthur Capel,
but Burke's Landed Gentry (18th and 19th editions) and The Complete
Peerage call him Arthur Edward Capel.
^ Lady Hutchinson, obituary, Daily Telegraph, 4 October 2006.
According to that obituary, Capel was a Roman Catholic and his wife
had to convert to Catholicism to marry him, and her two daughters by
him were raised as Catholics. [1]
^ "At this time in 1909, at the age of 26, she became friendly with an
Englishman Arthur Capel, nicknamed “Boy”, who was one of Etienne
[Balsan]’s friends..."[2]
^ "That year was to prove a difficult one for Gabrielle as Arthur
Capel decided that the time had come for him to marry into the English
aristocracy. Arthur Capel was a very successful businessman and a keen
polo player. Gabrielle hoped to settle down with him, but he was often
away on business and was usually seen in the company of other
women...."[3]
^ "Even though he was married Capel still sought out Gabrielle when he
was in Paris. But all this was to come to an abrupt end. On December
21st, 1919 Arthur Capel was driving to Cannes for Christmas when he
was involved in a fatal accident."[4]
^ Genealogy of Robert Martin (1908-1897). [5]. Retrieved 10 August
2007. Thurstan Holland-Martin, fifth son of Robert Martin Holland,
later Holland-Martin (R License 14 August 1917), was the elder brother
of Christopher Holland-Martin MP, and younger brother of Admiral Sir
Deric Holland-Martin.
^ In 1993, she was still married to, or the widow of, Peter Higgins,
at the memorial service for her half-brother the Earl of Westmorland.
Michael Rhodes. "Question regarding Diana, late Countess of
Westmorland." on usenet group alt.talk.royalty. Posted 11 September
2001. Retrieved 10 August 2007. [6]. At the time her youngest son's
death was reported, she was described as the "late Mrs Peter Higgins."
^ Lady Hutchinson, obituary, Daily Telegraph, 4 October 2006. [7]
3. Ruvigny Plus site
http://www.angelfire.com/realm3/ruvignyplus/003.html
5u. Hon. Diana LISTER, born 1893 May 7 [note - died 1983, date lacking
in this page]; married 1st, 1913 Apr 17, Percy Lyulph WYNDHAM (born
1887 Dec 5, died 1914 Sep 15 sp); married 2nd, 1918, Capt. Edward
Arthur CAPEL, CBE (died 1919) [note - issue 2 daughters]; married 3rd,
1923 Jun 7, Vere Anthony Francis St. Clair FANE, 14th Earl of
Westmorland (cr 1624 Dec 29) (born 1893 Mar 15, died 1948 May 12).
[note - issue 2 sons and 1 daughter]
[snipped]
3v. Ann Diana France Ayesha CAPEL, born 1919 [note - died between 1993
and 4 May 2008, date lacking in this page]; married 1st, 1940 (div
1951), as 1st wife, George Reginald WARD, 1st Viscount Ward of Witley
(cr 1960) (born 1907, died 1988); married 2nd, 1951 (div 1966),
Richard Thurstan HOLLAND-MARTIN (died 1968).
1w. Hon. Anthony Giles Humble WARD, born 1943, died 1983.
2w. Barnaby Robert HOLLAND-MARTIN, born 1952.
3w. Giles Thurstan HOLLAND-MARTIN, born 1955, died 2008 May 4.
4w. Hon. Georgina Anne WARD, born 1941; married 1st, 1966 (div 1971),
Alastair Cameron FORBES; married 2nd, 1978, as 2nd wife, Patrick
Claude Henry TRITTON (born 1934 May 18, died 1998 Feb 1 sp).
4v. June CAPEL, born 1920; married 1948, Franz OSBORN. [further
information lacking on this page]
Some photos of Capel are here
http://adrianasassoon.wordpress.com/2009/04/07/boy-capel/
http://www.queensofvintage.com/influencial-style-coco-chanels-english-lovers
Possibly
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dfzRllsN328/SaX-dttjhmI/AAAAAAAAAzg/tFoQVPZTSNI/s1600-h/c.jpg
Thanks to all!
Shinjinee
in a recent French-language film about Chanel starring Audrey Tatou.
Any corrections would be appreciated.
Capel is briefly described in Burke's Landed Gentry (18th and 19th
editions) and The Complete Peerage, which call him Arthur Edward
Capel.
This is what I need ideally:
1. Date of birth - unknown
2. parentage - said to be an illegitimate son of a banker, according
to one French-language site. Said to have some connection with the
earls of Essex (also Capel or Capell)
3. Exact date and place of his marriage to Hon Diana Wyndham, nee
Lister in 1918
4. Exact date and place of death of Diana, now Dowager Countess of
Westmorland in 1983
5. Exact date and place of birth of her daughter Ann Diana France
Ayesha Capel (1919- by 4 May 2008)
6. Exact date and place of birth of her posthumous daughter June Capel
(June 1920 - 26 November 2006)
7. Exact date of death of Hon. Anthony Giles Humble Ward (1943-1983).
SOURCES
[sources - I contributed to the genealogy part of this article, but
see many errors have crept in]
1. http://groups.google.co.in/group/alt.talk.royalty/browse_thread/thread/89042aece8a29eae/
Michael Rhodes posting to my query "Question regarding Diana, late
Countess of Westmorland" on Diana, Dowager Countess of Westmorland
back on 11 September 2001
2. Wikipedia article
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boy_Capel
Captain Arthur Edward 'Boy' Capel,[1] CBE (d. 21 December 1919 in a
motor accident) was an English polo player best remembered for his
affair with, and influence on the style of, Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel.
..
In his daughter's obituary, Capel was described as "an intellectual,
politician, tycoon, polo-player and the dashing lover and sponsor of
the fashion designer Coco Chanel."[2]. Nothing else is known of his
earlier life; there are hints in biographies of Chanel about his
(illegitimate) connections with the Capel earls of Essex but no
connection has been established. He was already a rich man, and
apparently a self-made man, by 1909.
...
Marriage and children
In 1918 [exact date?], Capel married the Honourable Diana Wyndham, née
Lister (7 May 1893-1983), a daughter of Lord Ribblesdale and widow of
Captain Percy Lyulph Wyndham (killed in action 1914), who was the half-
brother of the Duke of Westminster. Diana's elder sister Laura was
married to Lord Lovat, and another sister to a baronet.
By Diana, Capel had two daughters:
1. Ann Diana France Ayesha Capel (1918 [1919 per the Ruvigny page] -4
May 2008). Ann was married three times and had children with her first
two husbands. In 1940 she married her first husband, George Reginald
Ward (1907-1988), who in 1960 became first Viscount Ward of Witley.
Ward was a younger son of the 2nd Earl of Dudley. They divorced in
1951. She had two children with him: a son who died unmarried in his
parents' lifetime at the age of 40, and a daughter. On 7 August 1951
she married Richard Thurstan Holland-Martin (26 December 1908-1968)
[6], by whom she had two sons: Barnaby Robert (b. 1952) and Giles
Thurstan (1955 - 4 May 2008). They were divorced in 1966. Ann Capel's
third and final husband was Peter Higgins.[7]
[note - Ann Capel thus had 1 son and 1 daughter by her first
husband, two sons by her 2nd husband, and no issue by her 3rd husband.
Her eldest son Hon. Anthony Giles Humble Ward (1943-1983) predeceased
her, dying unmarried in 1983 aged 40 - same year as his maternal
grandmother?]
2. June Capel ([full date lacking - June 1920 per her obit] 1920-26
September 2006), later Lady Hutchinson of Lullington. June was born
after her father died, and he was apparently even unaware of her
conception. Thus, he made no provisions for her in his will, and the
will had to be contested to ensure that June got her fair share of her
father's fortune (most of it subsequently stolen by a lawyer,
according to Lady Hutchinson's obituary). In 1948 June married Franz
Osborn, by whom she had a son Christopher. Her second marriage took
place in May 1966 to Baron Jeremy Hutchinson, QC (born 28 March 1915).
Hutchinson was the former husband of Dame Peggy Ashcroft[8]. Her
second husband was created a life peer on 16 May 1978 with the title
Baron Hutchinson of Lullington, of Lullington in the County of East
Sussex.
Capel's living descendants today include the Honourable Mrs Patrick
Tritton (daughter of his elder daughter Ann) and three sons by his
younger daughter June, Lady Hutchinson. [incorrect - he has one living
grandson - Barnaby Robert Holland-Martin (b. 1952) by his elder
daughter Ann, and one living grandson Christopher Osborn (b. 19__) by
his younger daughter June]. He had no issue with Chanel (who died
childless).
[edit]References
^ His entry in thePeerage.com describes him as Edward Arthur Capel,
but Burke's Landed Gentry (18th and 19th editions) and The Complete
Peerage call him Arthur Edward Capel.
^ Lady Hutchinson, obituary, Daily Telegraph, 4 October 2006.
According to that obituary, Capel was a Roman Catholic and his wife
had to convert to Catholicism to marry him, and her two daughters by
him were raised as Catholics. [1]
^ "At this time in 1909, at the age of 26, she became friendly with an
Englishman Arthur Capel, nicknamed “Boy”, who was one of Etienne
[Balsan]’s friends..."[2]
^ "That year was to prove a difficult one for Gabrielle as Arthur
Capel decided that the time had come for him to marry into the English
aristocracy. Arthur Capel was a very successful businessman and a keen
polo player. Gabrielle hoped to settle down with him, but he was often
away on business and was usually seen in the company of other
women...."[3]
^ "Even though he was married Capel still sought out Gabrielle when he
was in Paris. But all this was to come to an abrupt end. On December
21st, 1919 Arthur Capel was driving to Cannes for Christmas when he
was involved in a fatal accident."[4]
^ Genealogy of Robert Martin (1908-1897). [5]. Retrieved 10 August
2007. Thurstan Holland-Martin, fifth son of Robert Martin Holland,
later Holland-Martin (R License 14 August 1917), was the elder brother
of Christopher Holland-Martin MP, and younger brother of Admiral Sir
Deric Holland-Martin.
^ In 1993, she was still married to, or the widow of, Peter Higgins,
at the memorial service for her half-brother the Earl of Westmorland.
Michael Rhodes. "Question regarding Diana, late Countess of
Westmorland." on usenet group alt.talk.royalty. Posted 11 September
2001. Retrieved 10 August 2007. [6]. At the time her youngest son's
death was reported, she was described as the "late Mrs Peter Higgins."
^ Lady Hutchinson, obituary, Daily Telegraph, 4 October 2006. [7]
3. Ruvigny Plus site
http://www.angelfire.com/realm3/ruvignyplus/003.html
5u. Hon. Diana LISTER, born 1893 May 7 [note - died 1983, date lacking
in this page]; married 1st, 1913 Apr 17, Percy Lyulph WYNDHAM (born
1887 Dec 5, died 1914 Sep 15 sp); married 2nd, 1918, Capt. Edward
Arthur CAPEL, CBE (died 1919) [note - issue 2 daughters]; married 3rd,
1923 Jun 7, Vere Anthony Francis St. Clair FANE, 14th Earl of
Westmorland (cr 1624 Dec 29) (born 1893 Mar 15, died 1948 May 12).
[note - issue 2 sons and 1 daughter]
[snipped]
3v. Ann Diana France Ayesha CAPEL, born 1919 [note - died between 1993
and 4 May 2008, date lacking in this page]; married 1st, 1940 (div
1951), as 1st wife, George Reginald WARD, 1st Viscount Ward of Witley
(cr 1960) (born 1907, died 1988); married 2nd, 1951 (div 1966),
Richard Thurstan HOLLAND-MARTIN (died 1968).
1w. Hon. Anthony Giles Humble WARD, born 1943, died 1983.
2w. Barnaby Robert HOLLAND-MARTIN, born 1952.
3w. Giles Thurstan HOLLAND-MARTIN, born 1955, died 2008 May 4.
4w. Hon. Georgina Anne WARD, born 1941; married 1st, 1966 (div 1971),
Alastair Cameron FORBES; married 2nd, 1978, as 2nd wife, Patrick
Claude Henry TRITTON (born 1934 May 18, died 1998 Feb 1 sp).
4v. June CAPEL, born 1920; married 1948, Franz OSBORN. [further
information lacking on this page]
Some photos of Capel are here
http://adrianasassoon.wordpress.com/2009/04/07/boy-capel/
http://www.queensofvintage.com/influencial-style-coco-chanels-english-lovers
Possibly
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dfzRllsN328/SaX-dttjhmI/AAAAAAAAAzg/tFoQVPZTSNI/s1600-h/c.jpg
Thanks to all!
Shinjinee
Richard R
Jul 31, 2009, 9:08:40 AM7/31/09
to Peerage News
Here's what I've found so far.... (no doubt others are digging as I
type!)
1. Date of birth - unknown
NOT YET TRACED
2. parentage - said to be an illegitimate son of a banker, according
to one French-language site. Said to have some connection with the
earls of Essex (also Capel or Capell)
HE’S SHOWN AS THE SON OF Arthur [Joseph] Capel IN THE ENTRY FOR THEIR
MARRIAGE UNDER THE BURKE’S LG ENTRY FOR THE LISTER FAMILY FORMERLY OF
ARMITAGE PARK AND WESTBURY HALL.
3. Exact date and place of his marriage to Hon Diana Wyndham, nee
Lister in 1918
NOTHING COMING UP FROM MY SOURCES. COULD THEY, PERHAPS, HAVE BEEN
MARRIED IN FRANCE?
4. Exact date and place of death of Diana, now Dowager Countess of
Westmorland in 1983
SHE DIED ON 3 DECEMBER 1983 ‘PEACEFULLY AT HOME’ (IE Badminton, Glos?)
ACCORDING TO THE TIMES DEATH NOTICE OF 5 DECEMBER 1983. HER DEATH
REGISTRATION IN SODBURY IN DECEMBER 1983 GIVES HER BIRTHDATE (I know
you didn’t ask for this) AS 7 MAY 1893
5. Exact date and place of birth of her daughter Ann Diana France
Ayesha Capel (1919- by 4 May 2008)
SHE WAS BORN ON 28TH APRIL 1919 ACCORDING TO THE TIMES NOTICE OF 2 MAY
1919. THE BIRTH WAS REGISTERED IN CHELSEA, LONDON IN THE SECOND
QUARTER OF THAT YEAR.
6. Exact date and place of birth of her posthumous daughter June
Capel
(June 1920 - 26 November 2006)
CAN’T FIND AN EXACT DATE BUT SHE WAS REGISTERED AS ‘JUNE M CAPEL’ IN
ST GEORGE’S HANOVER SQUARE DISTRICT, LONDON IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF
1920
7. Exact date of death of Hon. Anthony Giles Humble Ward (1943-1983).
DIED ON 4 MAY 1983 ACCORDING TO THE TIMES DEATH NOTICE OF 11 MAY 1983
(FUNERAL 12 MAY AT GOLDERS GREEN)
ACCORDING TO THE TIMES OF WED 24 DECEMBER 1919 Capt CAPEL’S EXACT
DEATH DATE WAS MONDAY 22 DECEMBER (NOT 21). HE WAS BURIED ON 24
DECEMBER. SEE BELOW TWO EXTRACTS FROM THE PAPER:
TIMES NEWS NOTICE OF WEDNESDAY 24 DECEMBER:
English motorist killed in France
Lord Rosslyn, telegraphing last night from St Raphael, stated that
Captain Arthur Capel, who was killed in an automobile accident on
Monday, is being buried to-day at 2.30pm at Frejus with full military
honours.
*** A Reuter telegram from Nice stated that Captain Capel had been
killed owing to one of the tires [sic] of his car bursting, and that
his chauffeur, named Mansfield, had been injured. Captain Capel was
travelling from Paris to Cannes.
TIMES FUNERAL NOTICE 29 DECEMBER:
Captain Arthur Capel
Our Paris Correspondent telegraphs:
Captain Arthur Capel, Lady Michelham's [see note below] brother, who
received fatal injuries while motoring at Monaco, was buried with
military honours at Frejus Cathedral on Wednesday.
Captain Capel's death is a great blow to his many friends in Paris. He
was probably one of the best-known Englishmen living in France, where
he had important coal interests. During the war he did excellent
liaison work, both officially and unofficially, and was a great
favourite with M Clemenceau. He was a thorough sportsman, and at the
same time a love of books.
[Note: Berthe Isabella Susanna Flora (d 1961), d of Arthur Joseph
Capel married the 2nd Baron Michelham in 1919. There were no children
and the barony became extinct on his death in 1984]
On Jul 31, 9:06 am, Shinjinee <SSenpub...@gmail.com> wrote:
> I am looking for some dates and more detail for this man, who appears
> in a recent French-language film about Chanel starring Audrey Tatou.
> Any corrections would be appreciated.
>
> Capel is briefly described in Burke's Landed Gentry (18th and 19th
> editions) and The Complete Peerage, which call him Arthur Edward
> Capel.
>
> This is what I need ideally:
>
> 1. Date of birth - unknown
>
> 2. parentage - said to be an illegitimate son of a banker, according
> to one French-language site. Said to have some connection with the
> earls of Essex (also Capel or Capell)
>
> 3. Exact date and place of his marriage to Hon Diana Wyndham, nee
> Lister in 1918
>
> 4. Exact date and place of death of Diana, now Dowager Countess of
> Westmorland in 1983
>
> 5. Exact date and place of birth of her daughter Ann Diana France
> Ayesha Capel (1919- by 4 May 2008)
>
> 6. Exact date and place of birth of her posthumous daughter June Capel
> (June 1920 - 26 November 2006)
>
> 7. Exact date of death of Hon. Anthony Giles Humble Ward (1943-1983).
>
> SOURCES
> [sources - I contributed to the genealogy part of this article, but
> see many errors have crept in]
>
> 1.http://groups.google.co.in/group/alt.talk.royalty/browse_thread/threa...
> 3. Ruvigny Plus sitehttp://www.angelfire.com/realm3/ruvignyplus/003.html
> Possiblyhttp://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dfzRllsN328/SaX-dttjhmI/AAAAAAAAAzg/tFoQVPZ...
>
> Thanks to all!
>
> Shinjinee
type!)
1. Date of birth - unknown
2. parentage - said to be an illegitimate son of a banker, according
to one French-language site. Said to have some connection with the
earls of Essex (also Capel or Capell)
MARRIAGE UNDER THE BURKE’S LG ENTRY FOR THE LISTER FAMILY FORMERLY OF
ARMITAGE PARK AND WESTBURY HALL.
3. Exact date and place of his marriage to Hon Diana Wyndham, nee
Lister in 1918
MARRIED IN FRANCE?
4. Exact date and place of death of Diana, now Dowager Countess of
Westmorland in 1983
ACCORDING TO THE TIMES DEATH NOTICE OF 5 DECEMBER 1983. HER DEATH
REGISTRATION IN SODBURY IN DECEMBER 1983 GIVES HER BIRTHDATE (I know
you didn’t ask for this) AS 7 MAY 1893
5. Exact date and place of birth of her daughter Ann Diana France
Ayesha Capel (1919- by 4 May 2008)
1919. THE BIRTH WAS REGISTERED IN CHELSEA, LONDON IN THE SECOND
QUARTER OF THAT YEAR.
6. Exact date and place of birth of her posthumous daughter June
Capel
(June 1920 - 26 November 2006)
ST GEORGE’S HANOVER SQUARE DISTRICT, LONDON IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF
1920
7. Exact date of death of Hon. Anthony Giles Humble Ward (1943-1983).
(FUNERAL 12 MAY AT GOLDERS GREEN)
ACCORDING TO THE TIMES OF WED 24 DECEMBER 1919 Capt CAPEL’S EXACT
DEATH DATE WAS MONDAY 22 DECEMBER (NOT 21). HE WAS BURIED ON 24
DECEMBER. SEE BELOW TWO EXTRACTS FROM THE PAPER:
TIMES NEWS NOTICE OF WEDNESDAY 24 DECEMBER:
English motorist killed in France
Lord Rosslyn, telegraphing last night from St Raphael, stated that
Captain Arthur Capel, who was killed in an automobile accident on
Monday, is being buried to-day at 2.30pm at Frejus with full military
honours.
*** A Reuter telegram from Nice stated that Captain Capel had been
killed owing to one of the tires [sic] of his car bursting, and that
his chauffeur, named Mansfield, had been injured. Captain Capel was
travelling from Paris to Cannes.
TIMES FUNERAL NOTICE 29 DECEMBER:
Captain Arthur Capel
Our Paris Correspondent telegraphs:
Captain Arthur Capel, Lady Michelham's [see note below] brother, who
received fatal injuries while motoring at Monaco, was buried with
military honours at Frejus Cathedral on Wednesday.
Captain Capel's death is a great blow to his many friends in Paris. He
was probably one of the best-known Englishmen living in France, where
he had important coal interests. During the war he did excellent
liaison work, both officially and unofficially, and was a great
favourite with M Clemenceau. He was a thorough sportsman, and at the
same time a love of books.
[Note: Berthe Isabella Susanna Flora (d 1961), d of Arthur Joseph
Capel married the 2nd Baron Michelham in 1919. There were no children
and the barony became extinct on his death in 1984]
On Jul 31, 9:06 am, Shinjinee <SSenpub...@gmail.com> wrote:
> I am looking for some dates and more detail for this man, who appears
> in a recent French-language film about Chanel starring Audrey Tatou.
> Any corrections would be appreciated.
>
> Capel is briefly described in Burke's Landed Gentry (18th and 19th
> editions) and The Complete Peerage, which call him Arthur Edward
> Capel.
>
> This is what I need ideally:
>
> 1. Date of birth - unknown
>
> 2. parentage - said to be an illegitimate son of a banker, according
> to one French-language site. Said to have some connection with the
> earls of Essex (also Capel or Capell)
>
> 3. Exact date and place of his marriage to Hon Diana Wyndham, nee
> Lister in 1918
>
> 4. Exact date and place of death of Diana, now Dowager Countess of
> Westmorland in 1983
>
> 5. Exact date and place of birth of her daughter Ann Diana France
> Ayesha Capel (1919- by 4 May 2008)
>
> 6. Exact date and place of birth of her posthumous daughter June Capel
> (June 1920 - 26 November 2006)
>
> 7. Exact date of death of Hon. Anthony Giles Humble Ward (1943-1983).
>
> SOURCES
> [sources - I contributed to the genealogy part of this article, but
> see many errors have crept in]
>
>
> Michael Rhodes posting to my query "Question regarding Diana, late
> Countess of Westmorland" on Diana, Dowager Countess of Westmorland
> back on 11 September 2001
>
> 2. Wikipedia articlehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boy_Capel
> Michael Rhodes posting to my query "Question regarding Diana, late
> Countess of Westmorland" on Diana, Dowager Countess of Westmorland
> back on 11 September 2001
>
>
> 5u. Hon. Diana LISTER, born 1893 May 7 [note - died 1983, date lacking
> in this page]; married 1st, 1913 Apr 17, Percy Lyulph WYNDHAM (born
> 1887 Dec 5, died 1914 Sep 15 sp); married 2nd, 1918, Capt. Edward
> Arthur CAPEL, CBE (died 1919) [note - issue 2 daughters]; married 3rd,
> 1923 Jun 7, Vere Anthony Francis St. Clair FANE, 14th Earl of
> Westmorland (cr 1624 Dec 29) (born 1893 Mar 15, died 1948 May 12).
> [note - issue 2 sons and 1 daughter]
> [snipped]
> 3v. Ann Diana France Ayesha CAPEL, born 1919 [note - died between 1993
> and 4 May 2008, date lacking in this page]; married 1st, 1940 (div
> 1951), as 1st wife, George Reginald WARD, 1st Viscount Ward of Witley
> (cr 1960) (born 1907, died 1988); married 2nd, 1951 (div 1966),
> Richard Thurstan HOLLAND-MARTIN (died 1968).
> 1w. Hon. Anthony Giles Humble WARD, born 1943, died 1983.
> 2w. Barnaby Robert HOLLAND-MARTIN, born 1952.
> 3w. Giles Thurstan HOLLAND-MARTIN, born 1955, died 2008 May 4.
> 4w. Hon. Georgina Anne WARD, born 1941; married 1st, 1966 (div 1971),
> Alastair Cameron FORBES; married 2nd, 1978, as 2nd wife, Patrick
> Claude Henry TRITTON (born 1934 May 18, died 1998 Feb 1 sp).
> 4v. June CAPEL, born 1920; married 1948, Franz OSBORN. [further
> information lacking on this page]
>
> Some photos of Capel are herehttp://adrianasassoon.wordpress.com/2009/04/07/boy-capel/http://www.queensofvintage.com/influencial-style-coco-chanels-english...
> 5u. Hon. Diana LISTER, born 1893 May 7 [note - died 1983, date lacking
> in this page]; married 1st, 1913 Apr 17, Percy Lyulph WYNDHAM (born
> 1887 Dec 5, died 1914 Sep 15 sp); married 2nd, 1918, Capt. Edward
> Arthur CAPEL, CBE (died 1919) [note - issue 2 daughters]; married 3rd,
> 1923 Jun 7, Vere Anthony Francis St. Clair FANE, 14th Earl of
> Westmorland (cr 1624 Dec 29) (born 1893 Mar 15, died 1948 May 12).
> [note - issue 2 sons and 1 daughter]
> [snipped]
> 3v. Ann Diana France Ayesha CAPEL, born 1919 [note - died between 1993
> and 4 May 2008, date lacking in this page]; married 1st, 1940 (div
> 1951), as 1st wife, George Reginald WARD, 1st Viscount Ward of Witley
> (cr 1960) (born 1907, died 1988); married 2nd, 1951 (div 1966),
> Richard Thurstan HOLLAND-MARTIN (died 1968).
> 1w. Hon. Anthony Giles Humble WARD, born 1943, died 1983.
> 2w. Barnaby Robert HOLLAND-MARTIN, born 1952.
> 3w. Giles Thurstan HOLLAND-MARTIN, born 1955, died 2008 May 4.
> 4w. Hon. Georgina Anne WARD, born 1941; married 1st, 1966 (div 1971),
> Alastair Cameron FORBES; married 2nd, 1978, as 2nd wife, Patrick
> Claude Henry TRITTON (born 1934 May 18, died 1998 Feb 1 sp).
> 4v. June CAPEL, born 1920; married 1948, Franz OSBORN. [further
> information lacking on this page]
>
> Possiblyhttp://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dfzRllsN328/SaX-dttjhmI/AAAAAAAAAzg/tFoQVPZ...
>
> Thanks to all!
>
> Shinjinee
Shinjinee
Jul 31, 2009, 10:14:53 AM7/31/09
to Peerage News
Wow, thanks so much. I will try to update that entry in Wikipedia as
soon as I find and correct all the errors.
Shinjinee
soon as I find and correct all the errors.
Shinjinee
Richard R
Aug 1, 2009, 8:23:05 AM8/1/09
to Peerage News
I believe Boy Capel was born in the fourth quarter of 1881. Here’s the
full explanation.
An Arthur Joseph CAPEL’s marriage is registered in Q3 1873 in
Kensington. This I take to be the wedding of Boy Capel’s parents.
There are three ‘Arthur J Capel’ listed in the 1881 England Census and
I take our chap to be the one listed in Kemp Town, Brighton, age 32 (b
c 1849 Suffolk). His wife is listed as Bertha (age 25, b c 1856),
which is the birth name of Lady Michelham (some reference works refer
to her as ‘Berthe’, which may be a later affectation). The census
lists just two daus in 1881, Edith aged 5 (b c1876) and Henriette aged
3 (b c1878). A J Capel is described as a 'General Merchant'.
I cannot find the family in either the 1891 or 1901 Census. It may be
they moved abroad (France?).
Two other births appear appear to be relevant.
1. Bertha Isabella S F Capel’s birth was registered Q3 1883 in
Kensington District. I take this to be Lady Michelham, Boy’s sister
mentioned in The Times news notice.
2. Arthur Edward Capel’s birth was registered Q4 1881 in Brighton
District. I take this to be Boy Capel’s birth registration.
Boy was cr CBE (Civil) in 1919 and the following is his entry in the
Companionage section of the 1920 edition of Debrett’s (p1288, first
column) – but note he’s listed as OBE in the same volume under his
wife’s entry in the peerage section (p743). Obviously a typo!:
CAPEL, Capt. Arthur Edward CBE, son of Arthur Capel; b 1881; ed at
Beaumont College and Stonyhurst; a shipowner, and Political Secretary
to the British Section, Supreme War Council; Capt. and Intelligence
Officer, Cav. Corps during European War 1914-16; m. 1918 the Hon
Diana, da of 4th Baron Ribblesdale, and widow of Percy Lyulph Wyndham
[E. Leconfield, colls]; cr CBE (Civil) 1919. 88 Avenue de Bois,
Paris; Bath Club.
full explanation.
An Arthur Joseph CAPEL’s marriage is registered in Q3 1873 in
Kensington. This I take to be the wedding of Boy Capel’s parents.
There are three ‘Arthur J Capel’ listed in the 1881 England Census and
I take our chap to be the one listed in Kemp Town, Brighton, age 32 (b
c 1849 Suffolk). His wife is listed as Bertha (age 25, b c 1856),
which is the birth name of Lady Michelham (some reference works refer
to her as ‘Berthe’, which may be a later affectation). The census
lists just two daus in 1881, Edith aged 5 (b c1876) and Henriette aged
3 (b c1878). A J Capel is described as a 'General Merchant'.
I cannot find the family in either the 1891 or 1901 Census. It may be
they moved abroad (France?).
Two other births appear appear to be relevant.
1. Bertha Isabella S F Capel’s birth was registered Q3 1883 in
Kensington District. I take this to be Lady Michelham, Boy’s sister
mentioned in The Times news notice.
2. Arthur Edward Capel’s birth was registered Q4 1881 in Brighton
District. I take this to be Boy Capel’s birth registration.
Boy was cr CBE (Civil) in 1919 and the following is his entry in the
Companionage section of the 1920 edition of Debrett’s (p1288, first
column) – but note he’s listed as OBE in the same volume under his
wife’s entry in the peerage section (p743). Obviously a typo!:
CAPEL, Capt. Arthur Edward CBE, son of Arthur Capel; b 1881; ed at
Beaumont College and Stonyhurst; a shipowner, and Political Secretary
to the British Section, Supreme War Council; Capt. and Intelligence
Officer, Cav. Corps during European War 1914-16; m. 1918 the Hon
Diana, da of 4th Baron Ribblesdale, and widow of Percy Lyulph Wyndham
[E. Leconfield, colls]; cr CBE (Civil) 1919. 88 Avenue de Bois,
Paris; Bath Club.
Shinjinee
Aug 1, 2009, 6:43:48 PM8/1/09
to Peerage News
On Aug 1, 5:23 pm, Richard R <r_rut...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> Boy was cr CBE (Civil) in 1919 and the following is his entry in the
> Companionage section of the 1920 edition of Debrett’s (p1288, first
> column) – but note he’s listed as OBE in the same volume under his
> wife’s entry in the peerage section (p743). Obviously a typo!:
>
> CAPEL, Capt. Arthur Edward CBE, son of Arthur Capel; b 1881; ed at
> Beaumont College and Stonyhurst; a shipowner, and Political Secretary
> to the British Section, Supreme War Council; Capt. and Intelligence
> Officer, Cav. Corps during European War 1914-16; m. 1918 the Hon
> Diana, da of 4th Baron Ribblesdale, and widow of Percy Lyulph Wyndham
> [E. Leconfield, colls]; cr CBE (Civil) 1919. 88 Avenue de Bois,
> Paris; Bath Club.
barons at this point (and even today) although descended
illegitimately from the earls of Egremont.
Some queries on the parents
>An Arthur Joseph CAPEL’s marriage is registered in Q3 1873 in
Kensington. This I take to be the wedding of Boy Capel’s parents.
There are three ‘Arthur J Capel’ listed in the 1881 England Census
and
I take our chap to be the one listed in Kemp Town, Brighton, age 32
(b
c 1849 Suffolk). His wife is listed as Bertha (age 25, b c 1856),
2. Is the mother Bertha's maiden name known?
3. Which parent was Catholic, or were both? The son was educated at
Stonyhurst (quite a prestigious Catholic school) and was Catholic
according to his daughter June's obit.
So Boy Capel was born in the 3rd or 4th quarter in Brighton, was he?
(Or his birth was registered there... remembering the way that the
Queen Mother's birth was registered late and with wrong details).
The reason I ask is because I discovered a wonderful book a long time
ago which exposed discrepancies in the birth and marriage record of
the spouse of a DNB to show that she was actually born illegitimate,
and that she and her spouse knowingly provided false details for the
records which made their way into official records and were then
treated as official truth. (In short, in Victorian era and upto now,
birth and even marriage records could be doctored to eliminate signs
of illegitimacy etc).
What I am really wondering now is why Boy Capel is described by Chanel
biographers as the illegitimate son of a banker or an illegitimate
scion of the earls of Essex, if he is (apparently) legitimate. I can
understand the claims of descent from the earls of Essex to make
himself sound more interesting (and well-born). Perhaps his father or
grandfather was born illegitimate, and perhaps there is actually no
connection to the earls of Essex. A correspondent has suggested to me
that Capel may have preferred to sound like the illegitimate son of
royalty or aristocracy, rather than the legitimate son of an
apparently middle-class (or upper-middle-class) Englishman, because
the royal or aristocratic connection, however illegitimate, carried
more cachet. Was that it?
Shinjinee
Richard R
Aug 3, 2009, 9:01:04 AM8/3/09
to Peerage News
I've hung back on a reply in case others wanted to comment, but here
goes:
1. Was Arthur Joseph Capel a banker, by any chance?
THE ONLY FACT WE HAVE ABOUT HIS PROFESSION SO FAR IS THAT HE WAS
DESCRIBED AS A 'GENERAL MERCHANT' IN THE 1881 CENSUS ENTRY.
2. Is the mother Bertha's maiden name known?
BERTHA'S MAIDEN NAME IS NOT CURRENTLY KNOWN TO ME.
3. Which parent was Catholic, or were both? The son was educated at
Stonyhurst (quite a prestigious Catholic school) and was Catholic
according to his daughter June's obit.
I'VE NO INFORMATION ON THEIR RELIGIOUS BELIEFS
[4.] So Boy Capel was born in the 3rd or 4th quarter in Brighton, was
he?
WHO CAN SAY WHAT IS IN THE MINDS OF CHANEL'S BIOGRAPHERS? UNLESS THEY
HAVE A RELIABLE REFERENCE OR SOURCE FOR THE RUMOUR WE SHOULD TREAT IT
WITH A LOT OF CAUTION, WHILST ACCEPTING THAT IT'S LIKELY TO BE
INCLUDED IN ANY FILM OR DRAMA AS A JUICY ITEM, WITHOUT ANY NEED FOR
THE FILM-MAKERS TO SUBSTANTIATE THE CLAIM.
I AGREE MISTAKES CAN BE MADE WITH REGISTRATIONS BUT WE SHOULDN'T AGAIN
ASSUME THAT'S THE CASE WITHOUT [HERE'S THAT TIRESOME WORD AGAIN] PROOF
OR STRONG EVIDENCE.
KNOWN OF WHICH MOVES YOU ON IN YOUR INVESTIGATIONS I'M AFRAID. LET'S
HOPE OTHER POSTERS CAN DO BETTER THAN MY FEEBLE EFFORTS.
goes:
1. Was Arthur Joseph Capel a banker, by any chance?
DESCRIBED AS A 'GENERAL MERCHANT' IN THE 1881 CENSUS ENTRY.
2. Is the mother Bertha's maiden name known?
3. Which parent was Catholic, or were both? The son was educated at
Stonyhurst (quite a prestigious Catholic school) and was Catholic
according to his daughter June's obit.
[4.] So Boy Capel was born in the 3rd or 4th quarter in Brighton, was
he?
WHO CAN SAY WHAT IS IN THE MINDS OF CHANEL'S BIOGRAPHERS? UNLESS THEY
HAVE A RELIABLE REFERENCE OR SOURCE FOR THE RUMOUR WE SHOULD TREAT IT
WITH A LOT OF CAUTION, WHILST ACCEPTING THAT IT'S LIKELY TO BE
INCLUDED IN ANY FILM OR DRAMA AS A JUICY ITEM, WITHOUT ANY NEED FOR
THE FILM-MAKERS TO SUBSTANTIATE THE CLAIM.
I AGREE MISTAKES CAN BE MADE WITH REGISTRATIONS BUT WE SHOULDN'T AGAIN
ASSUME THAT'S THE CASE WITHOUT [HERE'S THAT TIRESOME WORD AGAIN] PROOF
OR STRONG EVIDENCE.
KNOWN OF WHICH MOVES YOU ON IN YOUR INVESTIGATIONS I'M AFRAID. LET'S
HOPE OTHER POSTERS CAN DO BETTER THAN MY FEEBLE EFFORTS.
Shinjinee
Aug 4, 2009, 2:01:29 AM8/4/09
to Peerage News
On Aug 3, 6:01 pm, Richard R <r_rut...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> I've hung back on a reply in case others wanted to comment, but here
> goes:
>
> 1. Was Arthur Joseph Capel a banker, by any chance?
> THE ONLY FACT WE HAVE ABOUT HIS PROFESSION SO FAR IS THAT HE WAS
> DESCRIBED AS A 'GENERAL MERCHANT' IN THE 1881 CENSUS ENTRY.
may have become a banker later. And Boy Capel wasn't illegitimate
(unless his mother's husband wasn't his father, but even then legally,
he was legitimate). I wonder if that is what Chanel biographers meant
- that his father was not his mother's husband but someone else (pure
conjecture, I know, I know!).
It certainly seems that either Capel, or Chanel (or her biographers)
were responsible for more than a bit of disinformation.
I will update the Boy Capel entry later this week, perhaps tomorrow
when I have a holiday. Thanks again!
Shinjinee
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