Edward Digby, 11th Baron Digby

Edward Kenelm Digby, 11th Baron Digby, born on August 1, 1894, and deceased on January 29, 1964, was a British peer, soldier, and politician. He also held the title of 5th Baron Digby in the Peerage of Great Britain.

Early Life:

He was the son of Edward Henry Trafalgar Digby, the 10th Baron Digby, and Emily Beryl Sissy Hood. Emily Beryl Sissy Hood was the daughter of the Honorable Arthur Hood. Edward Kenelm Digby’s paternal great-grandfather was Admiral Sir Henry Digby. On his mother's side, he was a descendant of Admiral Samuel Hood, 1st Viscount Hood, a naval commander.

Career:

In 1920, Digby succeeded his father to become the eleventh Baron Digby and took his seat in the House of Lords. His military career included service as a Colonel in the Coldstream Guards, where he was adjutant of the 1st Battalion from 1916 to 1918 and served as acting second-in-command in 1918. His military honors include the Distinguished Service Order (DSO), the Military Cross (MC), and a Bar to the MC.

On December 8, 1929, he was appointed Honorary Colonel of the Dorsetshire Heavy Brigade, Royal Artillery, a position previously held by his father. He continued in this role with its successor unit, the 421st (Dorset) Coast Regiment, in 1947.

He held local government and ceremonial positions, serving as Chairman of the Dorset County Council from 1955 to 1964 and as Lord Lieutenant of Dorset from 1952 until his death in 1964. In 1960, he was appointed a Knight Companion of the Order of the Garter.

In addition to his military and political roles, Lord Digby was Chairman of the Orchid Committee of the Royal Horticultural Society.

Personal Life:

In 1919, Lord Digby married the Honorable Constance Pamela Alice Bruce, daughter of Henry Bruce, 2nd Baron Aberdare, and granddaughter of Henry Bruce, 1st Baron Aberdare. They had several children:

- Hon. Pamela Beryl Digby (1920–1997), who married and divorced Randolph Churchill and later served as the American Ambassador to France.

- Hon. Constance Sheila Digby (1921–2014), who married Charles Arthur Moore.

- Hon. Edward Henry Kenelm Digby (later the 12th Baron), born in 1924 and died in 2018, who married Dione Sherbrooke.

- Hon. Jacquetta Mary Theresa James (1928–2019), who married David Guthrie-James, a Member of Parliament.

Lord Digby died in January 1964 at the age of 69. His son succeeded him as the 12th Baron Digby. Lady Digby passed away on March 15, 1978.

Arms:

Details of the heraldic arms held by Lord Digby are included in the referenced heraldic records.