DEATH IN SURREY

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 137, 7 December 1938, Page 10

DEATH IN SURREY

WIDOW OF CRIMEA HERO

A wealth of memories is evoked by the death recently of Lady Annie Frances Elphinstone, at Pine wood, Bagshot, Surrey, at the age of 82, states the "Daily -Telegraph."

Her husband, Major-General Sir Howard Craufurd Elphinstone, was one of the first recipients of the Victoria Cross. He was also responsible for the early training of the Duke of Connaught, and died nearly half a century ago.

In 1890 he and Lady Elphinstone and one of his four daughters left England on a visit to New Zealand. On this journey Sir Howard was swept overboard and drowned. His body was never recovered.

Sir Howard, born in 1829, was a son of Captain A. F. Elphinstone. R.N. He entered the Royal Engineers and fought at Balaclava. He took part in the final assault of Sebastopol, where he was wounded and lost the sight of one eye.

He showed such great bravery in bringing 20 wounded men back to safety that when the Victoria Cross was instituted three years later he was decorated with it.

Queen Victoria showed the highest admiration for his soldierly qualities, and after bestowing the prized award entrusted to him the training of the Duke of Connaught, who was then eight years of age. , Sir Howard —he became a K.C.B. in 1871—was later/appointed Treasurer and Comptroller to the Duke's household, and held that Office up to the time of his death.

In 1876, when he was 47, Sir Howard had married Lady Elphinstone, who was a daughter of the late Mr. William Henry Cole, of West Woodhay House, Newbury, and just 20 years of age. She subsequently became Extra Lady-in-Waiting to the Duchess of Connaught. '■ . ' ■ ' ■