“SIR BARONET”

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 May 1938, Page 10

“SIR BARONET”

STANDING UP FOR RIGHTS. FULL FORM OF ADDRESS. A man who stands up for his rights is Sir Spencer Pocklington Maryon Maryon-Wilson, Lord of the Manors of Charlton and Hampstead, 11th Baronet of East- Borne, in the county of Sussex. Other men may be content to be called “Sir.” Not so Sir Spencer. He insists on being addressed as “Sir Baronet.” This week he explained the reasons why: ‘T don’t care a damn what the world thinks or says about me. I’m looked on as a crank, but I’ve just got moral courage. That’s what it is.” ! Sir Spencer is the /only baronet in Britain who insists ;6n the full form of address to whiehi lie is entitled. Every one of the two-score servants on his estate, frorn gamekeepers to butlers, must addr’ess him deferentially, as “Sir Baronet.” Among themselves and to strangers they refer to him generally as ’.‘The Baronet.” "I’m a diehard,/ and I don’t mind,” he continued, “d’ve seen letters addressed to my Sutler, my gamekeeper —yes, even miy odd man —addressing them as ‘Djear Sir.’ Now, why the devil should! any baronet be addressed in the way? A baronetcy is fifth in. the noble degree. I and all other (baronets have a right to be as ‘Sir Baronet,’ just as peers have (the right to be called and are called ‘My Lord.’ My title is 300 years ohd. It was earned at the risk of the/ head of my ancestor who helped Cbjarles II in his restoration. But don<’t forget I don’t insist on my right a:<ny more than I consider all other \baronets should similarly insist.” ;