HRH Prince Arthur Frederick Patrick Albert of Connaught KG GCVO

Prince Arthur was the son of the Duke of Connaught and Strathearn who was the third son of Queen Victoria. He followed his father in holding a commission in the 7th Hussars, but whereas his father only served for a year (Apr 1874-May 1875), he remained there for 6 years, from 1901 to 1907. Arthur was born on 13th Jan 1883 and was the first member of the Royal family to be educated at Eton. He trained at Sandhurst and gained his commission into the 7th as a second lieutenant on 8th May 1901.
The regiment entered the Boer War late, in November 1901, but Prince Arthur did not go with them. He remained at Aldershot with 8 other officers and 529 other ranks. He did go out later and was stationed in Krugersdorp for several months. The 7th stayed in South Africa until 1905, and in 1907 he was promoted to captain, transferring to the Royal Scots Greys, on 27th April.
In 1913 he married Princess Alexandra, Duchess of Fife who was the daughter of his cousin Louise, the Princess Royal. In the First World War he was a major, and ADC, first to Sir John French, and then Sir Douglas Haig. He was promoted to lieut-colonel in 1919 and in 1920 was appointed Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of the Union of South Africa. This post lasted until Dec 1923. On 8th Nov 1921 was made Colonel-in-Chief of the Scots Greys although the actual Colonel of the Regiment was Field Marshal Sir William Robertson. He predeceased his father by 4 years when he died of stomach cancer at the age of 55 on 12th Sep 1938. The title of Duke passed to his only son in 1942.

South Africa | South Africa Administrators