MAJENDIE, James Lewis Ashurst 1932-2025
Richard R
From the Telegraph of 12 March 2025: MAJENDIE James Lewis Ashhurst died on 3rd March 2025, aged 92, after a life filled with adventure and good humour. Much loved husband of Claire, sons Max (dec'd), Dominic and Adam, and his seven grandchildren, he will be greatly missed by his extended family and friends. Memorial Mass is on Wednesday 26th March at St Anthony & St George, Duncton, West Sussex at 11.45 a.m. Family flowers only. Donations to the RNLI if desired.
He was s of Capt Lewis Bernard Alexander MAJENDIE DSC RN 1898-1961 scion of that gentry family of Hedingham Castle and Margaret Louise 1897-1972 d of John SPEIRS 1864-1946 and Beatrice Camilla WOOD 1866-1952. He m 1960 reg Q3 London Jennifer A M KITCHING, and had issue
1. Max(imilian) J L A b 1961 (Singapore) & d 2019 reg Q1 Torbay: m 1990 reg Q2 Devon Susan M WARRINGTON, and had issue
1.1 Alexander Sebastian M b 1961 reg Q4 Devon
1.2 Nicholas Jamie Charles b 1995 reg Q3 Cambs
2. Dominic John George Gordon b Sep 1962 (Singapore): [? m and has issue]
[2.1 Roman James Lewis Ashurst b Feb 2004 ref 730/277 Edin (?a director in his father’s company)]
3. Adam D A b 1964 reg Q2 Devon: m c1997 reg Q1 Suffolk Liliye V KRYLO
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The Wikipedia article about Hedingham Castle says that it may be "the best preserved Norman keep in England".
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hedingham_Castle
However, the article seems incorrect about how the castle came to the Majendies, implying that it came through Lady Margaret Lindsay. In reality it seems to have come to the Majendies a couple generations earlier, with the marriage of Lewis Majendie (1756-1833) to Elizabeth Hoghton, heiress of the Ashhursts.
When James' grandfather died, Hedingham went to his daughter instead of to James' uncle or father, and, according to Wikipedia, she left it to a Lindsay cousin.