Humphrey Guinness was born in March 1902, only five months after his father was killed in action in the South Africa war. Humphrey was part of the famous Guinness dynasty, but part of the banking branch of the family rather than the brewing side. Humphrey was educated at Eton and the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, and in 1923 joined the Royal Scots Greys, and after serving in World War II he retired in 1948 having attained the rank of Colonel.
An excellent rackets player, which he started playing at Eton, he was runner-up in the Public Schools Championship with Ronnie Aird in 1920, and in 1936, partnering Richard Anstruther-Gough-Calthorpe, they were beaten in the final of Army Championship. Humphrey was also a top polo player with a 9-goal handicap and twice played for England in the Westchester Cup - at Meadow Brook in 1930 and at Hurlingham in 1936. Sadly for him and the England team, the United States won on both occasions. Also in 1936 he won a silver medal as part of the Great Britain team that finished third behind Argentina and the United States at the Berlin Olympics. Guinness scored two goals in Britain’s 13-11 win over Mexico. At the age of 55 he helped Windsor Park win the coveted Cowdray Gold Cup, and he was still playing beyond the age of 60. In addition to the Cowdray Gold Cup he won the sports top tournaments including the Champions Cup (twice), Ranelagh Gold Cup and Rugby Open Cup. In his memory the Humphrey Guinness Plate was donated to Cirencester Park Polo Club by Humphrey’s widow Gladys.
Great Britain