Leopold Ernest Stratford George Canning, 4th Baron GarvaghJP DL[a] (21 July 1878 – 16 July 1956) was a British nobleman, motorist, fighter pilot and politician, being the co-founder of theBritish Fascisti alongsideRotha Lintorn-Orman in 1923.
Canning was among the first motorists inIreland – he imported a sixhpPanhard to Ireland from France in 1898. Later he participated in several auto races using motor-powered tricycles. He was also among the founders of theMotor Cycle Union of Ireland and the Irish Automobile Club.[1]Motoring Annual and Motorist’s Year Book 1904 records him owning four Ormonde motorcycles and having high hopes about the future of motor industry in Britain.[2]
Canning became alieutenant in the 2nd Battalion of theHighland Light Infantry and participated in theFirst World War. He later transferred to theRoyal Flying Corps, having also been a founder member of theAéro-Club de France.[1] He reached the rank of lieutenant in the Royal Flying Corps as well, serving on theSalonica front.[3][4]
On 8 January 1915 Canning's father died, and he succeeded him as Baron Garvagh.[5]
In 1923, Canning co-founded theBritish Fascisti withRotha Lintorn-Orman.[6] HistorianRobert Skidelsky characterized the British Fascisti as
extreme right-wing group with a disproportionate number of generals and admirals, and dedicated to unrelenting struggle against the power of evil represented by bolshevism
— Robert Skidelsky,Oswald Mosley (1975)
Members of the new party, later known as British Fascists, included generalsOrmonde Winter,Julian Tyndale-Biscoe,Roland Erskine-Tulloch,James Spens andThomas Pilcher; admiralsEdmund Fremantle,Reginald Tupper andWilliam Ernest Russell Martin; Lieutenant ColonelsDaniel BurgesVC DSO andEdward Russell, as well as senior diplomatArthur Henry Hardinge.[6]
Canning was replaced as President of the British Fascists by BrigadierR. B. D. BlakeneyDSO in 1924, as he claimed to live too far away from London to be effective as a leader.[7]
In 1928 Canning became one of the first members of the Fellowship of Nineteenth Century Motorists.[1]
Canning died on 16 July 1956 at the age of 77, and his title of Baron Garvagh passed on to his only surviving son Alexander Leopold Ivor George.[3][4]
Canning was the great-grandson ofGeorge Canning, 1st Baron Garvagh, who was a first cousin of the short-timePrime Minister of the United KingdomGeorge Canning. His parents wereCharles John Spencer George Canning and Florence Alice de Bretton.[3][5]
Canning married for the first time in 1904 to Caroline Grace Elizabeth Rube, daughter of Charles Ernest Rube. The marriage was annulled in 1909 due to it not being consummated.[3]
On 1 January 1919, Canning married for a second time to Gladys Dora May Dimmer (née Parker, 1895–1982) inSt Matthew's, Bayswater. She was a widow ofJohn DimmerVC MC, who had been killed in action on 21 March 1918 in France. The couple had four children:[5][8]
Lady Garvagh continued to live at Lyzzick Gate in Millbeck nearKeswick, where she died on 27 January 1982.[4]
| Peerage of the United Kingdom | ||
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| Preceded by | Baron Garvagh 1915–1956 | Succeeded by |