Augustus FitzClarence

Augustus FitzClarence was born in Ceylon (Sri Lanka) and educated in England at Radley College in Oxfordshire. An all-round sportsman, he played for the football first XI and rowed with the Radley VIII at Henley for three years between 1896-98, and was Captain of Boats in the last of those years. He later joined the Kingston Rowing Club and in 1903 was in their four that beat London Rowing Club to win the Wyfold Challenge Cup at Henley. FitzClarence was also a fine boxer and long-distance runner, and in later years took up fencing. He won second prize in the épée at the Royal Naval and Military Tournament in 1913, having been selected the previous year for the sabre event at the Stockholm Olympics, although he did not take part,

The grandson of Rev. Lord Augustus FitzClarence, chaplain to Queen Victoria, FitzClarence was a career soldier. He joined the City of London Imperial Volunteers and served in the second South African War in 1900. He was awarded the Queen’s Medal with four clasps, and was subsequently Gazetted into the Royal Fusiliers and became the sixth member of the family to serve in the Fusiliers. FitzClarence rose to the rank of captain and between 1903-08 served in West Africa before returning to England. In 1910 he married Lady Susan Yorke, the daughter of the seventh Earl of Hardwicke.

On 4 June 1915 FitzClarence left to see further action in the Dardenelles but sadly, just over three weeks later, was killed in action. He was mentioned in dispatches for conspicuous gallantry in keeping the Turks at bay.