Obituary and will of Lt-Col. William Selby-Lowndes of Tinker's Corner (died 1951)

Buckingham Advertiser, 27 July 1951

WELL-KNOWN throughout the county for his long and illustrious connection with the Whaddon Case Hunt, Lieut.-Colonel William Selby-Lowndes, O.B.E., T.D., J.P., D.L., of Whaddon, died at his home, Tinker’s Corner, Winslow, on Tuesday.  He was 80.

The Whaddon Chase Hunt was dear to Colonel Selby-Lowndes’ heart, for there is a traditional link between the Hunt and his family.  The pack was formerly a family pack belonging to the Selby-Lowndes of Whaddon.  He, his father and grandfather were all Masters of the Hunt.  In 1941 he became chairman of the Hunt Committee.

Educated at Eton, he had a distinguished military career, which started with service in the South African War with the Bucks Yeomanry Cavalry.

In the first world war, while serving with the Bedfordshire Yeomanry, lst Cavalry Division, he was awarded the Legion of Honour, the Croix de Guerre, and was twice mentioned in Despatches.  During the last war he was Colonel of the local Home Guard.

Colonel Selby-Lowndes was Chairman of the County Gentlemen’s Association and a director of the West End Branch Royal Insurance Co.  He was High Sheriff of Buckinghamshire in 1939 and was a member of the Carlton, Orleans, Royal Automobile and Hurlingham clubs.

A Deputy Lieutenant of the County, Colonel Selby-Lowndes was appointed a Justice of the Peace for the County in 1894, and was formerly a member of the Bucks Standing Joint Committee.

Sport played a large part in Colonel Selby-Lownde’s life.  He was an authority on shooting and fishing, and in his younger days rode in point-to-points, and was an enthusiastic cricketer.

His interest in the welfare of Ex-servicemen was reflected by his local connection with the British Legion, having been President of the Winslow branch for many years.

Colonel Selby-Lowndes was the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. William Selby-Lowndes of Whaddon Hall [this was the William Selby-Lowndes responsible for the sale of Winslow Hall in 1897].  He married twice having two sons and a daughter by his first wife.  One son died.

Colonel Selby-Lowndes’ family connection with Winslow goes back to the 16th century, and Winslow Hall was built by one of his ancestors.  The Whaddon estate came into possession of the family in the 18th century.

The funeral takes place today (Friday), a service at Winslow Parish Church at 2.30 p.m. being followed by interment at Whaddon Churchyard.

Buckingham Advertiser, 3 Aug 1951

MANY of Buckinghamshire’s most notable figures were among the large congregation at the funeral service at Winslow Parish Church, on Friday, for Lieut.-Colonel William Selby-Lowndes, former Master of Foxhounds and soldier, a country gentleman and magistrate, whose death at the age of 80, at his home, Tinker’s Corner, Winslow, was reported in our last week’s issue.

Members of the Winslow branch of the British Legion, with standard, lined the path to the church.  The service was conducted by Canon St. J. H. Beamish, Vicar of Winslow, and Canon J. R. C. Forrest, Vicar of Swanbourne.

Colonel Selby-Lowndes was afterward buried in the churchyard at Whaddon, whose name is given to the famous hunt with which the Selby-Lowndes family has a traditional association.

Family mourners were: Mrs. Selby-Lowndes, widow;  Mr. G. Selby-Lowndes, son;  Mrs. Charlton, daughter;  Brigadier M. W. Selby-Lowndes, nephew, and his wife;  Squadron Leader Selby-Lowndes and Mr. E. Selby-Lowndes, nephews;  Mrs. G. Selby-Lowndes, sister;  the Rev. and Mrs. E. Selby-Lowndes, cousins;  Lady Cruise, Miss P Cruise, Mr. C. Cruise, Mr. and Mrs. O. Lerwill;  Sir Charles and Lady Lamb;  Miss Diana Selby-Lowndes, daughter, and Mrs. R. Selby-Lowndes, sister-in-law.

Buckingham Advertiser, 15 March 1952

Lt.-Colonel William Selby-Lowndes, O.B.E., T.D., J.P., D.L., of Tinkers Corner, Winslow, formerly of Whaddon Hall, Bletchley, High Sheriff of Bucks in 1939, Chairman of the Country Gentlemen’s Association Ltd., a former Master of the Whaddon Chase Hunt, a director of the Royal Insurance Co. Ltd. (West Ed branch), and a descendant of Mr. Secretary Lowndes – “Ways and Means Lowndes” – died on July 24th last, aged 80 years, leaving unsettled estate valued at £14,030 13s. 10d., gross, £10,307 18s. 2d. net value (duty paid £3,378).

He appointed Marriage Settlement Funds, subject to the trusts thereof, to his daughter, Diana Charlton, and if she executes a settlement appointing this fund to her children, subject to her life interest, he left a further £5,000 to the trustees of this settlement, or if this settlement is not effected within six months of his death the said sum of £5,000 is left upon trust for his nephew, Brig. Henry Selby-Lowndes, R.A., for life, and then to his nephew, Geoffrey H. W. Selby-Lowndes, M.B.E., A.F.C.

He left a portrait of the Countess of Salisbury upon trust for Miss Dora Wilson for life and then to the said Brig. Henry Selby-Lowndes £100 and a picture of “Whaddon Chase Hounds” by Barrand to his step-daughter Lady Cruise;  £100 to his daughter-in-law, Lady Angela Lamb;  £500 equally between the children of the late John MacRobert, solicitor, of Paisley, and the residue upon trust for his wife for life, and then to Brig. Montacute W. M. Selby-Lowndes.  Probate has been granted to his widow, Mrs. Maud C. Selby-Lowndes, of Tinkers Corner.  Alexander G. Young, of 51, Moss Street, Paisley, and Ralph J. D. Smith, of 8, Lincolns Inn Fields, W.C., solicitors.