PHILIPPS, Sir GRISMOND PICTON (1898 - 1967), soldier and public figure

Name: Grismond Picton Philipps
Date of birth: 1898
Date of death: 1967
Spouse: Marjorie Joan Mary Philipps (née Wentworth-Fitzwilliam)
Parent: Grismond Philipps
Gender: Male
Occupation: soldier and public figure
Area of activity: Military; Public and Social Service, Civil Administration
Author: Glanmor Williams

Born 20 May 1898, the only son of Major Grismond Philipps, Cwmgwili, Carmarthenshire. He became a second lieutenant in the Grenadier Guards in 1917, was promoted captain in 1925, and retired in 1933. As lieutenant-colonel commanding the 4th Battalion of the Welch Regiment (Territorial Army) in 1939, he served throughout World War II, and was Honorary Colonel of the Welch Regiment (T.A.) from 1960-64. He was appointed Deputy Lieutenant of Carmarthenshire in 1935, a Justice of the Peace in 1938, and a county councillor in 1946. Having served as vice-lieutenant from 1936 to 1954, he became Lord Lieutenant of Carmarthenshire in 1954 and occupied that office until his death. He was a member of the Court of Governors and the Council of the National Library of Wales and a member of the Council of the National Museum of Wales, 1945-52. He was chairman of the Historic Buildings Council for Wales from 1955 to 1967, and was also chairman of the Welsh committee of Television Wales and the West. Descendant of an ancient Carmarthenshire family (Philipps), he was a man of tact and sympathy and was deeply interested in the history and antiquities, especially the county families and ancient buildings, of his own county in particular and of Wales in general. He was knighted in 1953.

He married Lady Marjorie Joan Mary Wentworth-FitzWilliam, 2nd daughter of the 7th Earl FitzWilliam in 1925, from whom he was divorced in 1949. He died 8 May 1967, leaving one son.

Author

Published date: 2001

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