YORKE, SIMON (1903-1966),
the fifth descendant of that name from Simon Yorke (1606-1682), wholesale grocer of Dover, grandfather of Earl Hardwicke; b. 24 June 1903, eldest son of Philip Yorke (1849-1922), Erddig, Denbs., and his second wife Louisa Matilda (née Scott). He was educated at Moorland House, Heswall; Cheltenham College; and Corpus Christi College, Cambridge. He graduated B.A. in forestry in 1927. In 1922 he inherited Erddig near Wrexham. He was High Sheriff for Denbighshire in 1937. Although he was a lieutenant in the Denbighshire Yeomanry, when World War II came he enlisted as a private soldier in the North Staffordshire Regiment. In accordance with his wishes he remained a sapper, without seeking or gaining promotion.
His relationship with his tenants was not a happy one. He refused them permission to have electricity nor a telephone on their farms. Although he was not a huntsman, he followed the hounds on his bicycle and he always knew where to find the fox. He was found d. of heart failure in Erddig Park, 7 May 1966, and was buried in Marchwiel churchyard. He was a bachelor and d. intestate. Erddig was inherited by his brother Philip Scott Yorke (1905-1976).
Bibliography:
- Merlin Waterson, The Servants’ Hall (1980);
- [Oliver Garnett, Erddig (1999)].
Author:
John Gwilym Jones, Wrexham
