Ulick Alexander


Sir James Ulick Francis Canning Alexander was a British Army officer, businessman and courtier in several of the Royal Households of the United Kingdom.

Early life and education

He was the son of James Alexander and Lady Emily Boyle, daughter of Richard Boyle, 9th Earl of Cork. He was educated at Eton College, before attending the Royal Military College, Sandhurst.

Career

In 1909 Alexander commissioned into the Coldstream Guards. He first saw active service during the First World War, during which he was attached to the Egyptian Army and was mentioned in dispatches. In 1919 he made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in recognition of his wartime service. Between 1920 and 1921 he was Military Secretary for the Egyptian Army. From 1923 to 1925 he served as Political Secretary to the Alexander Cambridge, 1st Earl of Athlone while he was Governor-General of the Union of South Africa. In 1925 he was invested as a Member of the Royal Victorian Order.
Between 1928 and 1936 Alexander was Comptroller of the Household to Prince George, Duke of Kent, and was made a CVO in 1932. In 1934 he was made a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George. In 1936 Alexander held the office of Keeper of the Privy Purse and Extra Equerry to Edward VIII, and he retained the role during the reign of George VI from 1936 to 1952. In 1937 he was knighted as KCVO, and he was made Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath in 1947. He was furthered honoured as a GCVO in 1948.
Following the accession of Elizabeth II, Alexander became an Extra Equerry in her household and a Privy Councillor in 1952. In 1953 he was honoured as a GCB.
From 1952 to 1957 he was Chairman of Tanganyika Concessions Ltd, and served as its director from 1957 to 1963. From 1952 to 1964 he was director of the Benjuela Railway Company, and from 1954 to 1963 he was director of the Union Minière du Haut Katanga. In 1957 he served as a director of the Banque Belge.

Marriage

Alexander married Lady Mary Beatrice Thynne, daughter of Thomas Thynne, 5th Marquess of Bath and Violet Caroline Mordaunt, on 27 November 1947.