TOPIC:

St Saviour's Church in the village of Wildboarclough was built as a memorial to the safe return of the Earl of Derby's sons from the South Africa War. Does anyone know what the names of the sons were?



The churchwardens' names here aren't the ones on the board as it originally was so presumably it's updated every time there's a new churchwarden.



The foundation stone's inscription.

One for Justin here,
Both the Honourable Edward Charles Villiers and his little brother Ferdinand Charles were Grenadier Guardsmen.

Visiting forum members in need of refreshment should make their way to the Stanley Arms!

Frank Kelley wrote: One for Justin here,
Both the Honourable Edward Charles Villiers and his little brother Ferdinand Charles were Grenadier Guardsmen.

Oh. So the sons had a different surname to their father? Trust the British upper-class to do things their own way.

The children had the surname "Stanley".

There were 5 sons who served in the war:

Edward George Villiers - 2 VB Loyal North Lancs/Army HQ Staff (later 17th Earl of Derby)
Ferdinand Charles - IY
George Frederick - RFA
Algernon Francis - 1st Life Guards
Frederick William - 10th Hussars (wounded)

a sixth son, Victor Albert was a Naval officer but did not serve in the war.

The 16th Earl was Governor General of Canada and gave his name to the 'Stanley Cup' the trophy for the National Hockey League champions. There were 10 children in all - 8 sons and 2 daughters, only died in childhood - the benefits of rich parents.

Regards
Meurig

Good heavens no, the Stanley's go back an awful long way, they owned a great deal of Cheshire until quite recent times, many buildings around here still bare their family crest, moreover, it was used as a cap badge during the Great War by four service battalions that were raised, they also had a magnificent estate at Alderley which I drive through every day.
I used my memory and not the internet when I suggested that Frederick Stanley's eldest son's second forename was Charles, as Meurig points out, it was actually George, sorry about that.
So what brought you up to my neck of the woods then, they also had a superb shooting lodge near Wildboarclough too, it is a fantastic part of Cheshire, very beautiful and yet rather wild too, I like it very much.
Kind regards Frank

BereniceUK wrote:

Frank Kelley wrote: One for Justin here,
Both the Honourable Edward Charles Villiers and his little brother Ferdinand Charles were Grenadier Guardsmen.

Oh. So the sons had a different surname to their father? Trust the British upper-class to do things their own way.