Robert Anthony Eden, 1st Earl of Avon (1897-1977)
Served with the King's Royal Rifle Corps
Robert Anthony Eden served as a Captain with 21st (Yeoman Rifles) Battalion, King’s Royal Rifle Corps. He entered France on 31 May 1916 and at 21, he became the youngest Brigade- Major in the British Army. He was awarded the Military Cross for his war service and also received the Victory medal and the British War medal.
He was born 12 June 1897, the son of Sir William Eden and Sybil Frances Grey, residents of Windlestone Hall, Ferryhill, County Durham.
Robert, who often went by his middle name of Anthony, was educated at Eton College and after World War 1, studied Oriental Languages at Oxford University.
He married Beatrice Helen Beckett on 5 Nov 1923 and they had three children, one of which died in infancy. The other two were Simon Gascoyn (1924 – 1945) and Nicholas, 2nd Earl of Avon (1930 – 1985). Simon was killed in action in Burma on 13 Nov 1924 and Nicholas remained unmarried until his death.
Robert divorced Beatrice in 1950 and remarried Anne Clarissa Spencer-Churchill on 14 August 1952.
Robert, a conservative politician, held the position of Foreign Secretary between 1935 – 38 and was also Privy Counsellor in 1934. On 7th April 1955, he became Prime Minister and first Lord of the Treasury until 9 January 1957. He was also invested as a Knight, Order of the Garter in 1954 and was created 1st Earl of Avon on 12 July 1961.
He died 14 January 1977, aged 79.
Civil Parish: Ferryhill
Birth date: 1897-Jun-12
Death date: 1977-Jan-1977
Armed force/civilian: Army
Residence: Windlestone Hall, Ferryhill, County Durham
2 North Street, Westminster
Education: Eton College and Oxford University
Employment: Held the position of Foreign Secretary between 1935 – 38 and was also Privy Counsellor in 1934. On 7th April 1955, he became Prime Minister and first Lord of the Treasury until 9 January 1957.
Family: Father: Sir William Eden
Mother: Sybil Frances Grey
First wife: Beatrice Helen Beckett
Children: Simon Gascoyn and Nicholas Eden
Second wife: Anne Clarissa Spencer-Churchill
Military service:
21st (Yeoman Rifles) Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps
Medal(s): Military Cross, Victory medal and British War medal
Gender: Male
Contributed by John Sheen | Durham at War Volunteer
