Victor Alexander Brisbane William Cochrane-Baillie MC (1896 - 1951)

Born 23 Jul 1896 in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Ancestors

Husband of Harriette M (Neilson) Cochrane-Baillie — married 8 Jun 1922 in St George Hanover Square, London, England

Biography

Lord Victor Cochrane-Baillie MC, 3rd Baron Lamington, was an Australian-born son of the Governor of Queensland who courted the Queen Mother. He was awarded the Military Cross.

Victor Alexander Brisbane William Cochrane-Baillie was born on 23rd July 1896 at Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. He was the only son of Charles Cochrane-Baillie, 2nd Baron Lamington, Governor of Queensland, and his wife, Hon. Mary Hozier, Lady Lamington.^[1] His god-mother was Queen Victoria, who gave him the names Victor Alexander, so naming him with the male version of Victoria. He was educated at Eton College, and at Christ Church, Oxford University.

Military Cross

Baron Victor Cochrane-Baillie MC was wounded at France during The Great War.

As a Lieutenant in the Scots Guards, Spec.Res, he was awarded the Military Cross "For conspicious gallantry and devotion to duty. During an attack (on 3rd November 1915) he was knocked down and badly cut about the face and body by a shell. He carried on however, deployed his company and remained with them throughout the day, having distinguished himself by his quick resource in establishing a defensive flank at a critical moment and of the accuracy and conciseness of his reports upon the situation. His splendid example of pluck and devotion to duty inspired all ranks under his command." Cochrane-Baillie was later promoted to Captain and was Mentioned in Despatches on two occasions.

Marriage

Cochrane-Baillie married Harriette Neilson, daughter of D A Neilson, on 8th June 1922 at St George Hanover Square, London, England.^[2][3]

Baron Lamington

He succeeded to the title of 3rd Baron Lamington, of Lamington, Co. Lanark [U.K., 1880] on 16th September 1940. On his death, his title became extinct.

The Cochrane-Baillie family of Lamington was a younger branch of the earls of Dundonald. Alexander Cochrane-Baillie, 1st Baron Lamington (1816-1890), was the son of Admiral Sir Thomas Cochrane (1789-1872), who gained fame in the burning of Washington and the attack on Baltimore during the War of 1812, and grandson of Admiral Sir Alexander Cochrane (1758-1832), who was the commander of the North American Station of the Royal Navy during the War of 1812. The latter was a younger son of Thomas Cochrane, 8th Earl of Dundonald. The first Lord Lamington inherited Lamington in Lanarkshire through his mother, a descendant of the Baillies of Lamington, and took the addition to his surname in consequence (at first as Baillie-Cochrane, later as Cochrane-Baillie). He was a politician and author, whose published works included poetry, fiction and journalism. In politics he was a follower of Disraeli and served as Conservative Member of Parliament for Bridport 1841-1852, Lanarkshire 1857, Honiton 1859-1868, and the Isle of Wight 1870-1880. In 1880 he was raised to the peerage. On his death in 1890 he was succeeded by his son, Charles Cochrane-Baillie, 2nd Baron Lamington (1860-1940), who was Conservative Member of Parliament for North St Pancras 1886-1890, Governor of Queensland 1895-1901, and Governor of Bombay 1903-1907. His wife, Mary Haughton Hozier (d 1944), was the daughter of the 1st Baron Newlands.

Death

Lord Lamington passed away, aged 55 years, on 20th September 1951. He had no children. He was survived by his wife, who passed away in 1968 at Chelsea, London.

Sources

1. ↑ Queensland Birth Index #B58934/1896
2. ↑ England and Wales Marriage Registration Index, 1837-2005, database, FamilySearch: 8 Oct 2014), Victor A Cochrane-Baillie and null, 1922
3. ↑ England & Wales Marriages, 1837-2005, database, findmypast: 2012; citing 1922, quarter 2, vol. 1A, p. 987, St. George Hanover Square, London, England, General Register Office, Southport, England

• Wikipedia: Baron Lamington; accessd 19 Jul 2019.
• Victor Cochrane-Baillie MC, 3rd Baron Lamington; accessed 19 Jul 2019.