Derrick Westenra, 5th Baron Rossmore


Derrick Warner William Westenra, 5th Baron Rossmore, known as Hon. Derrick Westenra until 1874, was an Anglo-Irish noble, soldier and author.

Biography

The second son of The 3rd Baron Rossmore and Josephine Julia Helen, he was educated at Rugby. Commissioned a lieutenant in the Monaghan Militia, he resigned effective 4 December 1872, when he was made a sub-lieutenant in the 9th Lancers, replacing the controversial Sub-Lieutenant Tribe.
On 28 March 1874, he succeeded as Baron Rossmore upon the death of his elder brother Henry in a riding accident. His brother had been an officer of the 1st Life Guards, and Derrick was transferred to that regiment to replace him, as a sub-lieutenant, on 10 June 1874. He resigned his commission on 23 October 1875.
Lord Rossmore was appointed Honorary Colonel of the 5th Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers on 29 July 1896. On 18 June 1897, he was appointed Lord Lieutenant of Monaghan, succeeding the late Earl of Dartrey, and held the office until his death. He wrote the book Things I Can Tell, published 1912.
He was one of the first polo players in England, where he played in Richmond Park in London. Lord Rossmore was also a prominent member of the Orange Order.

Family

He married Mittie Naylor on 14 June 1882 at All Saints' Church, Ennismore Gardens, London, England.
Children: