Robert Francis Peel

Robert Francis Peel CMG (30 April 1874 – 10 August 1924) was an English soldier, Conservative politician and Governor of Saint Helena from 1920 until his death in 1924.[1]

Colonel Robert Francis Peel CMG
Governor of Saint Helena
In office August 1920 – August 1924
Member of Parliament for Woodbridge
In office January 1910 – July 1920
Personal details
Born	30 April 1874
Died	10 August 1924 (aged 50)
Relations	Great-nephew of Sir Robert Peel
Military service
Allegiance	United Kingdom
Branch/service	British Army
Years of service	1898–1919
Rank	Colonel
Unit	Coldstream Guards (1899-1909) East Surrey Regiment (1909-1919)
Battles/wars	Second Boer War First World War
Awards	Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George

Memorial plaque to Peel in All Saints Church, Kingston upon Thames

He was the grandson of William Yates Peel, great-grandson of Sir Robert Peel and a great-nephew of Prime Minister Sir Robert Peel. He attended Harrow School.[1]

Peel was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Coldstream Guards on 2 February 1898, and promoted to lieutenant on 1 April 1899.[2] He served with the 1st battalion of the regiment in South Africa during the Second Boer War, and returned with his regiment in July 1902, following the end of the war.[3] He was promoted captain in 1906.[1] After retiring from the regular army in 1909, he was commissioned Major in the part-time 4th (Special Reserve) Battalion, the East Surrey Regiment,[4] becoming a Lieutenant Colonel in March 1913.[5] He continued to serve during the First World War, gaining the rank of brevet Colonel.[1]

In 1903, Peel married Alice Charlton-Meyrick, daughter of Sir Thomas Charlton-Meyrick.[1]

After failing to get elected for Mid Northamptonshire in the 1906 general election,[6] Peel served as Member of Parliament for Woodbridge, Suffolk from January 1910.[1] In July 1920, he resigned his seat to become Governor and Commander-in-Chief of St Helena.[7] In June 1922 he was appointed a companion of the Order of St Michael and St George.[8] He continued to serve as governor until his death on 10 August 1924.[1]

There is a memorial plaque to Peel in the East Surrey Regimental Chapel in All Saints Church, Kingston upon Thames, Surrey.

References

1. "Peel, Col Robert Francis". Who Was Who. A & C Black. 1920–2008. Retrieved 8 February 2009.
2. Hart's Army list, 1903
3. "The Army in South Africa - Troops returning Home". The Times (36812). London. 5 July 1902. p. 8.
4. "No. 28274". The London Gazette. 27 July 1909. p. 5724.
5. "No. 28696". The London Gazette. 4 March 1913. p. 1637.
6. Northampton Mercury, Friday 23 February 1906, p 1
7. No. 13626 The Edinburgh Gazette 24 August 1920. p. 1900
8. "No. 32716". The London Gazette (Supplement). 2 June 1922. p. 4323.

External links

• Hansard 1803–2005: contributions in Parliament by Robert Francis Peel