Ralph Beauclerk

Ralph Charles Beauclerk MBE (1917–2007), 6th Marquis de Valero de Urría, was in remainder to the dukedom of Saint Albans.[1]

Beauclerk coat of arms

Both of Beauclerk's parents were of aristocratic descent. His father was a British ex-pat engineer in Argentina William Topham Sidney Beauclerk (1864–1950), whose great-grandfather was Topham Beauclerk (by Lady Diana Beauclerk), who was in turn a grandson of the 1st Duke of St Albans.[2] His mother was Lola, Countess de Peñalver (1881–1972), only surviving child of Enrique, 6th Marquis de Arcos.[2]

Educated at Downside School and then in France,[2] Captain Beauclerk served as a military intelligence officer during World War II.[3]

After distinguished military service, he worked overseas as a merchant banker including in Hong Kong and Shanghai. In 1989, he inherited one of his Spanish family marquessates, that of Valero de Urría;[4] a relation of his is Esther Koplowitz, now 8th Marquesa de Casa Peñalver.

MBE insignia

Personal life

On 24 August 1957 at Saigon, Vietnam, he married Noirine Mary Bowen (died 20 January 1997), daughter of James Bowen, of Bowen's Court, County Cork;[2] they had two children:

  • Dolores Mary Beauclerk (born 11 Jul 1958), married Dr Richard Makower and has three children.
  • William Rafael Beauclerk (born 14 Aug 1961), ex Lieutenant in the Royal Navy serving on HMY Britannia,[2] now 7th Marquis de Valero de Urría.[5] His wife, since 1986, is Margaret Eleanor Mountjoy; they have a daughter and two sons:
    • Charlotte Mary Beauclerk (born 24 July 1987), heir apparent to the marquessate.
    • Alexander Charles Beauclerk (born 11 February 1990).
    • Cameron William Beauclerk (born 25 March 1993).[2]

Honours and decorations

The 6th Marquis de Valero de Urría was awarded :

See also

References
  1. www.thepeerage.com
  2. Burke's Peerage & Baronetage. – 106th Ed. – Burke's Peerage Ltd., 1999. – ISBN 2-940085-02-1. – p. 2495.
  3. www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
  4. www.boe.es
  5. www.boe.es
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