Deputy Constable and Lieutenant Governor of Windsor Castle, 1928-55

Component identifier:

Series 6

Content Summary:

In 1945 the Earl of Gowrie, succeeded Lord Wigram as Deputy Constable and Lieutenant Governor of Windsor Castle. There he and Lady Gowrie resided in the Norman Tower in semi-retirement until 1953, attending to ceremonial and other aspects of Castle administration. The papers reflect both official Castle duties and Gowrie's varied personal interests, including many Australian contacts which he had developed over the course of his career.

Amongst the materials are engagement and pocket diaries for the years 1945-47, and a sequence of retrospective castle files inherited from Wigram, which include some interesting papers on arrangements made to protect the Royal Family during the war years. Also represented are some important files concerning castle administration, which include correspondence with the Lord Chamberlain and the Privy Purse Office. The death of King George VI in 1952 is also documented in Folder 20 with letters of condolence and copies of orders of memorial services.

The correspondence is varied, and comprises personal notes welcoming the Gowries back home to England, letters concerning a proposed biography, invitations to join the boards of companies, a controversial letter by Gowrie to the Times, and several items reflecting his interests in political and military matters. Winston Churchill, Lord Montgomery, General Douglas MacArthur, Ben Chifley, Daisy Bates, Bert Oldfield, the Queen Mother, Bishop E.H. Burgmann and Lloyd Rees are amongst the correspondents.

Gowrie's numerous associations with other institutions and organisations are also represented, such as the Order of the Garter, and the Empire Day Movement of which he was president. Files 10 and 21 contain some correspondence, printed material and ephemera relating to Gowrie's involvement with the National Hunting Committee, and in horse racing in general. Papers regarding the Welsh Guards are located in Folder 23, including correspondence, speeches, ceremonial procedures, and some photographs documenting Gowrie's position as Colonel. Folder 22 contains some interesting papers on cricket, such as a letter to Lady Gowrie from Don Bradman, and a letter to Gowrie from Prince Phillip.

Please note: Files 1, 11 and 15 subject to Royal Copyright and access restrictions and are therefore CLOSED for 60 years from the date of creation.

Immediate source of acquisition:

The papers were donated to the National Library in seven instalments: by Gowrie's grandson, the Honourable Malise Hore-Ruthven, in 1970, 1981 (two instalments), 1983, 1986 and 1993, and; in 1999 by Barbara Blanch, widow of Gowrie's biographer, John Blanch. In addition, in 1969 the Library received a collection of books acquired by Lord Gowrie, which had been housed at Australia House since 1955. Most of the volumes were presentation copies inscribed by the authors. Those books not already held were added to the Library's general book collection, whilst duplicate titles were offered to other libraries through the Clearing Centre.

Names:

Hore-Ruthven, Malise

Contents

Access and use