Biography of Blanche Linnie Fitzroy Countess St Germans 1897-1968

12 Jun 1918. The Times.

Marriage. [her husband] Lord St. Germans (age 28) and Lady Blanche Somerset (age 21).

Princess Arthur of Connaught (age 27) and the Marquess (age 31) and Marchioness (age 27) of Carisbrooke were among the large company present yesterday at St. Margaret's [Map], Westminster, for the marriage of the Earl of St. Germans and Lady Blanche Somerset. The bridegroom, who is a captain in the Scots Greys, has served abroad since the beginning of the war, and received the Military Cross in 1916; the bride is the elder daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Beaufort.

The church was decorated with palms, variegated maple, and white flowers; and troopers of the bridegroom's regiment, drawn up inside the church, formed a guard of honour between the ranks of which the bridegroom and his best man, the Earl of Leven and Melville (age 27), awaited her.

The wedding dress was of silver tissue over charmeuse, with a train of old Brussels point (given by the bride's mother), lined with silver. The veil, which was lent by the Duchess, was also of fine old lace. No bouquet was carried, nor were any ornaments worn.

In attendance upon the bride were her sister, Lady [her sister] Diana Somerset (age 19), Miss Betty Harford (her cousin), the Hon. Ivy Somerset (cousin of the bride and the bridegroom), Miss Betty Eliot (cousin of the bridegroom), Lady Morvyth Ward, and Lady Avice Sackville, whose frocks were of pale yellow georgette edged with silver. With these were worn small transparent hats of black lace, and bouquets of yellow tiger lilies were carried. The bridegroom's present to the bridesmaids was a red cornelian and jade pendant.

The music during the time the guests were assembling included a Bach prelude and fugue, and the Bridal Chorus from "Lohengrin"; the anthem "Rejoice in the Lord" was sung during the signing of the register.

There was a small reception afterwards (for relatives and intimate friends) at 11 Portman-square, after which Lord and Lady St. Germans left for Walmer Castle [Map], lent by Earl and Countess Beauchamp for the honeymoon.

19 Jun 1918. The Sketch.

It may seem, perhaps, a little premature to designate any particular ceremony "the" wedding of the season, yet few, if any, which may be celebrated between now and the autumn are likely to be of more interest or importance than that of the [her husband] Earl of St. Germans (age 28) and Lady Blanche Somerset (age 21), which was celebrated at St. Margaret's [Map], Westminster, last week. The bridegroom has served abroad since the early days of the war, and was awarded the Military Cross in 1916. The bride is the elder daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Beaufort. The church was prettily decorated with palms, maple, and many flowers, and troopers of the bridegroom's regiment formed a guard of honour, between the ranks of which Lady Blanche Somerset, with her father, the Duke of Beaufort, passed to the chancel, where Lord St. Germans and his best man, the Earl of Leven and Melville, were awaiting her. The bride wore a beautiful dress of silver tissue over charmeuse, with a train of old Brussels point, lined with silver, and was attended by quite a pre-war bevy of bridesmaids: Lady Diana Somerset, Miss Betty Harford (her cousin), the Hon. Ivy Somerset (cousin of the bride and the bridegroom), Miss Betty Eliot (cousin of the bridegroom), Lady Morvyth Ward, and Lady Avice Sackville, all of whom wore pale yellow georgette edged with silver. Small transparent hats of black gauze were worn, and each carried a bouquet of yellow tiger-lilies. The bridegroom's presents to the bridesmaids were pendants of red cornelian and jade. A small reception was afterwards held at 11, Portman Square, for relatives and intimate friends, after which Lord and Lady St. Germans left for Walmer Castle, lent for the honeymoon by Earl and Countess Beauchamp. Princess Arthur of Connaught and the Marquess and Marchioness of Carisbrooke were present in the distinguished congregation. The ushers were Baron de Tuyll, Mr. Christian Eliot, the Hon. Sir Arthur Walsh, Viscount Ednam, Major Brinton, and Captain Burton.

01 Apr 1922. Letter from W.W. Kerr to Blanche, Countess St. Germans (age 24).

Rand Club, Johannesburg.

Dear Lady St. Germans,

I have, alas, the saddest story in the world to tell.

Dear John [[her former husband] John, 6th Earl St Germans (deceased)] arrived here last Saturday very fit and well. I saw a lot of him that day, Sunday and Monday. He was very cheery and told me, more than once, how well he felt, what a lot of good the trip had done him and how much he had enjoyed it.

I was away all Tuesday but on my return here Wednesday morning, I was told he was ill. I went up to his room and to my horror discovered he was really bad.

I took him up to the Lady Dudley Nursing Home at once in an ambulance and there Dr. Watt asked me if I would like another Doctor called in as consultant. I suggested Dr. Rogers, who was called and arrived in a few minutes.

They (the Doctors) told me the case was very serious but that they were hopeful of his pulling through. I hated having to send you that wire but I felt I ought to, because I had asked the Doctors what they would tell you if you were here, so I just wired what they said, my one hope being to be able to cable you good news later. I was with him until he became unconscious on Friday, when he gradually sank and died very very peacefully at 11.15 pm.

His one anxiety all the time was you. He didn't want you to be worried. He knew how anxious you would be. A few moments before he died he became conscious and asked the Sister for you. The Sister said "shall I fetch her?" and John just nodded and died.

It was so beautiful, ‘His last thought' – I've asked the Sister to write to you. They were all so kind and did everything in their power to save him.

What can one say to help or comfort you in your greatest sorrow? Sympathy is all the World can give, and I think it would help a tiny bit if you could hear the genuine sorrow and sympathy expressed by everybody here who had met him, even some of whom had only known him for a few days but whose affections he had instantly won.

May God bless and help you.

Yours very sincerely,

W.W. Kerr