LORD DESMOND FITZGERALD

Leinster Leader 11 March 1916

Lord Desmond Fitzgerald

Accidentally Killed On Duty

We regret to announce the death in France of Major Lord Desmond Fitzgerald of the 1st Irish Guards, older brother of the Duke of Leinster, and heir presumptive to the Dukedom.  It is understood that he was accidentally killed while on duty at the base.

Deceased officer had been on active service with the Guards, of which he was Adjutant since the beginning of the war in which he was wounded twice and had been awarded the Military Cross.

A capable officer, he was most popular with his men, whose welfare he took the most lively and kindly interest.  It will be recalled that when Father Gwynn was killed Lord Desmond wrote in the most sympathetic terms to Father Delaney, S.J., describing the sad occurrence.

As indicating his solicitude for those under him, a Dublin lady tells of being approached by a Dublin man who had been out of touch with his son, in the Irish Guards for a time.  The lady wrote to the officer commanding on the man’s behalf, and in response received a most kindly letter from the Major – Lord Desmond, giving all particulars regarding the Guardsman.

Deceased is succeeded as heir to the Dukedom of Leinster, the premier Dukedom of Ireland, by his brother, Lord Edward Fitzgerald, who in 1913 married Miss May Etheridge.  Lord Edward holds a commission in the 8th West Riding Regiment.