Geoffrey Henry Julian (Skeffington-Smyth) FitzPatrick (1873 - 1939)

Born 11 Dec 1873 in 42 Portman Square, London, England, United Kingdom

Husband of Violet Frances (Monckton-Arundell) Skeffington-Smyth — married 7 Jul 1904 in England

Died 11 Mar 1939 at age 65 in Marylebone, Middlesex, England, United Kingdom

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Biography

Lt.-Col. Geoffrey Skeffington-Smyth was a member of the aristocracy in England.

Lt.-Col. Geoffrey Henry Julian fitzPatrick was the son of Edward Randal Skeffington-Smyth. He married Hon. Violet Frances Monckton, daughter of George Edward Milnes Monckton-Arundell, 7th Viscount Galway and Vere Gosling, on 7 July 1904. He died on 11 March 1939.

In the Second Boer War Lieutenant Skeffington Smyth was recommended for the DSO for acts of bravery in the field at the engagement at Quaggasfontein (Western Transvaal), when his troop of the 9th Lancers, together with a party of Kaffrarian Rifles, were heavily engaged, suffered severe losses, and were finally, at the end of that day, surrounded by the enemy, having run out of ammunition.

He was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 10 September 1901]; received the Queen's Medal with six clasps, and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 27 September 1901]: "Geoffrey Henry Julian Skeffington Smyth, Lieutenant, 9th Lancers. In recognition of services during the operations in South Africa". The Insignia were presented to him by the King 29 October 1901. He was promoted to Captain 3 June 1901, and retired 12 December 1906. He became General Staff Officer, 1st Grade, and for his services during the European War was given the Brevet of Lieutenant Colonel 3 June 1919. He was made Chevalier of the Legion of Honour by the French.

He was also known as Geoffrey Henry Julian Skeffington Smyth. In 1938 his name was legally changed to Geoffrey Henry Julian fitzPatrick by Deed Poll.

Sources

• "England and Wales Marriage Registration Index, 1837-2005," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:267W-FF8 : 13 December 2014), Geoffrey Henry J Skeffington-Smith and Violet Frances Monckton, 1904; from “England & Wales Marriages, 1837-2005,” database, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : 2012); citing 1904, quarter 3, vol. 1A, p. 1079, St. George Hanover Square, London, England, General Register Office, Southport, England.

• "England, London Electoral Registers, 1847-1913", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QJNW-BZPQ : 15 April 2015), Geoffrey Henry Julian Skeffington-Smyth, 1904.

• "England, London Electoral Registers, 1847-1913", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QJN4-1D3Y : 15 April 2015), Geoffrey Henry Julian Skeffington-Smyth, 1905.

• The Monckton-Arundell Family

• The Peerage Entry

• Ancestry Entry

• Crofts Peerage

• Nottingham University Biographies

• Anglo Boer War Entry

• Wikipedia - Second Boer War