Death of Brigadier-General Waldron, C.B., Melitta Lodge, Kildare, 1932

The Irish Times, 27 February 1932

Brigadier General Francis Waldron, of Melitta Lodge, Kildare, who was for many years prominently associated with Irish racing circles, died in his sleep at his residence on Sunday morning.

The son of the late Laurence Waldron, D.L., of Helen Park, Tipperary, and Ballybrack, Co. Dublin, he was born seventy-nine years ago. In 1884 he married Helen, daughter of the late Thomas FitzGerald. He leaves a widow and three daughters; his only son was killed in the Great War.

General Waldron was educated at Cardinal Newman’s College, The Oratory, and entered the Royal Artillery in 1873. Nine years later he was promoted Captain, and was subsequently promoted Major, Lieutenant-Colonel and finally he was Brigadier-General commanding the 5th Division of the Royal Artillery, Irish Command, from 1907 to 1910. He served throughout the Boer War under General French (afterwards earl of Ypres), and was mentioned in dispatches and created C.B.

Although a distinguished soldier, General Waldron was better known in Ireland through his association with racing. General Waldron, who succeeded the late Mr. Robert Waters as Senior Handicapper to the Turf Club and Irish National Hunt Steeplechase Committee, discharged the duties of that onerous position with conspicuous success. There was no better-known figure in Irish racing circles than General Waldron, whose kindly disposition and charm of manner made a wide appeal, and his passing will be deeply mourned.

General Waldron attended the Baldoyle races last Saturday afternoon. He returned to Ireland  on the previous Friday evening from Scotland, where he had attended the funeral of his elder brother, Colonel Waldron.