Edward Digby, 11th Baron Digby


Edward Kenelm Digby, 11th Baron Digby, , also 5th Baron Digby in the Peerage of Great Britain, was a British peer, soldier and politician.

Early life

Digby was the son of Edward Henry Trafalgar Digby, 10th Baron Digby, and Emily Beryl Sissy Hood, daughter of Hon. Arthur Hood. Admiral Sir Henry Digby was his great-grandfather while on his mother's side he was a descendant of another naval commander, Admiral Samuel Hood, 1st Viscount Hood.

Career

He succeeded his father as eleventh Baron Digby in 1920 and took his seat in the House of Lords. Like his father, Digby was a Colonel in the Coldstream Guards and was awarded the Distinguished Service Order and the Military Cross and Bar. He was appointed Honorary Colonel of the Dorsetshire Heavy Brigade, Royal Artillery on 8 December 1929 and continued with its successor unit the 421st Coast Regiment in 1947. He also served as Chairman of the Dorset County Council from 1955 to 1964 and as Lord Lieutenant of Dorset between 1952 and 1964. In 1960, he was made a Knight of the Order of the Garter.
Lord Digby was Chairman of the Orchid Committee of the Royal Horticultural Society.

Personal life

In 1919, Lord Digby married Hon. Constance Pamela Alice Bruce, daughter of Henry Bruce, 2nd Baron Aberdare and granddaughter of Henry Austin Bruce, 1st Baron Aberdare. Their children include:
Lord Digby died in January 1964, aged 69, and was succeeded in his titles by his son Edward Henry Kenelm Digby. Lady Digby died on 15 March 1978.