Brigadier-General the Rt Hon the Earl of Gowrie,
VC, GCMG, CB, DSO, PC

Title:	10th Governor General of Australia
Term of Office:	23 January 1936 - 30 January 1945
Predecessor:	Sir Isaac Isaacs
Successor:	The Duke of Gloucester
Birth:	6 July 1872, Windsor, Berkshire, England
Death:	2 May 1955, Gloucestershire, England

Brigadier-General Alexander Gore Arkwright Hore-Ruthven, 1st Earl of Gowrie, VC, GCMG, CB, DSO, PC (6 July 1872 – 2 May 1955), tenth Governor-General of Australia, was born in Windsor, Berkshire, the second son of the 8th Lord Ruthven of Freeland. Hore-Ruthven (pronounced Hore-Riven) was educated at Eton College, but was withdrawn from the school due to poor eyesight. The Governor-General of Australia is the highest constitutional officer in the Commonwealth of Australia. ... Sir Isaac Isaacs Sir Isaac Alfred Isaacs, KBE, PC (6 August 1855 - 12 February 1948) Australian judge and politician, was the ninth Governor-General of Australia, the first Jew, and the first Australian to occupy that post. ... The Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester (Henry William Frederick Albert), (31 March 1900 – 10 June 1974) was a member of the British Royal Family, the third son of King George V of the United Kingdom and Queen Mary. ... Windsor (IPA: usually , but also ) is a suburban town and tourist destination in the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead in Berkshire, South East England. ... Berkshire (IPA: or  ; sometimes abbreviated to Berks) is a county in England and forms part of the South East England region. ... Royal motto (French): Dieu et mon droit (Translated: God and my [birth]right) Englands location (dark green) within the British Isles Languages English (de facto) Capital London de facto Largest city London Area – Total Ranked 1st UK 130,395 km² Population – Total (mid-2004) – Total (2001 Census) – Density Ranked... Gloucestershire (pronounced ; GLOSS-ter-sher) is a county in South West England. ... Royal motto (French): Dieu et mon droit (Translated: God and my [birth]right) Englands location (dark green) within the British Isles Languages English (de facto) Capital London de facto Largest city London Area – Total Ranked 1st UK 130,395 km² Population – Total (mid-2004) – Total (2001 Census) – Density Ranked... Victoria Cross medal, ribbon, and bar. ... On the Orders insignia, St Michael is often depicted subduing Satan. ... Military Badge of the Order of the Bath The Most Honourable Order of the Bath is a British order of chivalry founded by George I on 18 May 1725. ... Source: Veterans Affairs Canada The Distinguished Service Order is a military decoration of the United Kingdom, and other formerly Commonwealth countries, awarded for meritorious or distinguished service by officers of the armed forces during wartime, typically in actual combat. ... Her Majestys Most Honourable Privy Council is a body of advisors to the British Sovereign. ... July 6 is the 187th day of the year (188th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 178 days remaining. ... 1872 (MDCCCLXXII) was a leap year starting on Monday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar or a leap year starting on Wednesday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar. ... May 2 is the 122nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (123rd in leap years). ... 1955 (MCMLV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Michael Jeffery, Governor-General of Australia The Governor-General of Australia is the representative in Australia of Australias head of state, Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, who lives in the United Kingdom. ... Windsor (IPA: usually , but also ) is a suburban town and tourist destination in the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead in Berkshire, South East England. ... Berkshire (IPA: or  ; sometimes abbreviated to Berks) is a county in England and forms part of the South East England region. ... The Kings College of Our Lady of Eton beside Windsor, commonly known as Eton College or just Eton, is a prestigious and internationally known independent school for boys. ...

In 1898 Hore-Ruthven joined the British Army. During the Sudan Campaign he was a Captain in the 3rd Battalion of The Highland Light Infantry. On 22 September 1898 during the action at Gedarif, Hore-Ruthven saw an Egyptian officer lying wounded within 50 yards of the advancing Dervishes, who were firing and charging. He picked up the wounded officer and carried him towards the 16th Egyptian Battalion; he had to drop his burden several times in order to fire upon the Dervishes and check their advance, but his action undoubtedly saved the officer's life; for his bravery, he was awarded the Victoria Cross. 1898 (MDCCCXCVIII) was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Monday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar). ... The British Army is the land armed forces branch of the British Armed Forces. ... Captain is both a nautical term and a rank in various uniformed organizations. ... The Highland Light Infantry (City of Glasgow Regiment) was a regiment of the British Army. ... September 22 is the 265th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (266th in leap years). ... 1898 (MDCCCXCVIII) was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Monday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar). ... Al Qadarif (Gedarif) is the capital of the state of Al Qadarif in Sudan. ... The word Dervish, especially in European languages, refers to members of Sufi Muslim ascetic religious fraternities, known for their extreme poverty and austerity, similar to mendicant friars. ... Victoria Cross medal, ribbon, and bar. ...

In 1905 Hore-Ruthven became an aide-de-camp to Lord Dudley, then Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. In 1908 Dudley was appointed Governor-General of Australia, and Hore-Ruthven went with him as military secretary. In the same year he married Zara Pollok, with whom he had one son. He left Australia in 1910 and returned to military service in India. During World War I he served in France and at Gallipoli, where he was severely wounded. He finished the war as a Brigadier-General, and commanded British forces in Germany between 1919 and 1920. After this he held various Army staff positions until 1928, when he was appointed Governor of South Australia. 1905 (MCMV) was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... Lord Dudley William Humble Ward, 2nd Earl of Dudley (25 May 1867 - 29 June 1932), Lord Lieutenant of Ireland and fourth Governor-General of Australia, was born in London and was educated at Eton. ... Official standard of the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland The Lord Lieutenant of Ireland (also known as the Viceroy or in the Middle Ages as the Lord Deputy) was the head of the Kingdom of Englands (before the Act of Union 1707) or Kingdom of Great Britains (after 1707... 1908 (MCMVIII) is a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will take you to calendar). ... -1... Combatants Allies: Serbia, Russia, France, Romania, Belgium, British Empire, United States, Italy, and others Central Powers: Germany, Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria, Ottoman Empire Casualties Military dead:5 million Civilian dead:3 million Total dead:8 million Military dead:4 million Civilian dead:3 million Total dead:7 million World War I... Satellite image of the Gallipoli peninsula and surrounding area Gallipoli, called Gelibolu in modern Turkish, (Greek: Καλλίπολις), is a town in northwestern Turkey. ... 1919 (MCMXIX) was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... 1920 (MCMXX) was a leap year starting on Thursday (link will take you to calendar) // Events January January 7 - Forces of Russian White admiral Kolchak surrender in Krasnoyarsk. ... 1928 (MCMXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Sunday (link will take you to calendar). ... See Governors of the Australian states for a description and history of the office of Governor. ...

He was in London when the third Bodyline Test cricket match in Adelaide caused Anglo-Australian political tension in 1933, and he played a significant part in smoothing relations through his meetings with the British Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs J.H. Thomas. His term as Governor ended in 1934, and he was then appointed Governor of New South Wales, with the title Baron Gowrie. For other uses, see London (disambiguation) and Defining London (below). ... Bill Woodfull evades a Bodyline ball. ... Test cricket is the longest form of the sport of cricket. ... Adelaide is the capital and most populous city of the Australian state of South Australia, and is the fifth largest city in Australia, with a population of over 1. ... 1933 (MCMXXXIII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will take you to calendar). ... The position of Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs was a British cabinet level position created in 1925 to deal with British relations with the Dominions — Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Newfoundland, and the Irish Free State. ... James (Jimmy) Henry Thomas, (October 3, 1874 - January 21, 1949) was a British trade unionist and Labour politician. ... 1934 (MCMXXXIV) was a common year starting on Monday (link will take you to calendar). ... List of Governors of New South Wales See Governors of the Australian states for a description and history of the office of Governor. ...

With his military record and experience, Gowrie was seen as an obvious choice to succeed Sir Isaac Isaacs when he retired as Governor-General in 1936. In accordance with established practice, the Prime Minister, Joseph Lyons, was offered several alternatives, but Gowrie was the obvious candidate, as Lyons had no intention of appointing another Australian to the post. Sir Isaac Isaacs Sir Isaac Alfred Isaacs, KBE, PC (6 August 1855 - 12 February 1948) Australian judge and politician, was the ninth Governor-General of Australia, the first Jew, and the first Australian to occupy that post. ... 1936 (MCMXXXVI) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will take you to calendar). ... Rt Hon Joseph Lyons Joseph Aloysius Lyons (September 15, 1879 - April 7, 1939), Australian politician and tenth Prime Minister of Australia, was born in Stanley, Tasmania, the son of Irish immigrants. ...

In office, Gowrie was a popular if unobtrusive figure in Australia. The days when Governors-General exercised significant power, or even participated in negotiations between the Australian and British governments, had now passed, but Gowrie set a precedent in 1938 when he toured the Netherlands East Indies at the invitation of the colonial administration. This was the first time that a Governor-General had represented Australia abroad. 1938 (MCMXXXVIII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will take you to calendar). ... The Dutch East Indies, or Netherlands East Indies, (Dutch: Nederlands Indië) was the name of the colonies colonised by the Dutch East India Company which came under administration of the Netherlands during the ninteenth century (see Indonesia). ...

In April 1939 Lyons died suddenly and Gowrie commissioned Sir Earle Page, the leader of the Country Party, as Prime Minister until the United Australia Party could choose a new leader: this was the only circumstance in which the Governor-General still had some personal discretion. 1939 (MCMXXXIX) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will take you to calendar). ... Sir Earle Christmas Grafton Page (August 8, 1880 – December 20, 1961), Australian politician, was the eleventh Prime Minister of Australia. ... The National Party of Australia is an Australian political party. ... The United Australia Party or UAP was an Australian political party that was the political successor to the Nationalist Party of Australia. ...

Gowrie's political skills were tested again after the 1940 election, which left the UAP Prime Minister, Robert Menzies, dependent on the votes of two independent members to stay in power. When the UAP dropped Menzies as leader, the independent members voted to put the government out. Gowrie sent for them and demanded that they give him a guarantee that if he commissioned the Australian Labor Party leader, John Curtin, they would support him and end the instability in government. 1940 (MCMXL) was a leap year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1940 calendar). ... Sir Robert Gordon Menzies KT AK CH QC FRS, (20 December 1894 – 14 May 1978), Australian politician, was the twelfth and longest-serving Prime Minister of Australia, serving a total of eighteen and a half years in office from 1939 to 1941 and from 1949 to 1966. ... The Australian Labor Party or ALP is Australias oldest political party. ... John Curtin (8 January 1885 – 5 July 1945), Australian politician and 14th Prime Minister of Australia, led Australia through the darkest period of its history: when the Australian mainland came under direct military threat during the Japanese advance in World War II. Many Australians regard him as the countrys...

During World War II Gowrie saw it as his duty to support the government and the British Empire, and also the troops. In 1943 he undertook a four-week tour of inspection of Allied Defence Forces in northern Australia and New Guinea. Shortly before undertaking this tour, Gowrie and his wife had learned that their son, Patrick, had been killed in Libya the previous year. Combatants Allies: Poland, British Commonwealth, France/Free France, Soviet Union, United States, China, and others Axis Powers: Germany, Italy, Japan, and others Casualties Military dead:17 million Civilian dead:33 million Total dead:50 million Military dead:8 million Civilian dead:4 million Total dead:12 million World War II... The British Empire was, at one time, the foremost global power, and the most extensive empire in the history of the world. ... 1943 (MCMXLIII) is a common year starting on Friday. ...

Gowrie's term ended in September 1944 after which he returned to Britain, where he was created Earl of Gowrie and appointed Deputy Constable and Lieutenant-Governor of Windsor Castle. In 1948 he was elected president of the Marylebone Cricket Club. He died in May 1955 at his home in Gloucestershire. 1944 (MCMXLIV) was a leap year starting on Saturday (the link is to a full 1944 calendar). ... Windsor Castle: The Round Tower or keep dominating the castle, as seen from the River Thames. ... 1948 (MCMXLVIII) was a leap year starting on Thursday (the link is to a full 1948 calendar). ... Lords 2005 The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), founded in 1787, is a private members club and was the original governing body of cricket in England and across the world. ... 1955 (MCMLV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Gloucestershire (pronounced ; GLOSS-ter-sher) is a county in South West England. ...

See Governors of the Australian states for a description and history of the office of Governor. ... Sir Winston Joseph Dugan (1877 - 1951) was a British administrator. ... Air Vice-Marshal Sir Philip Woolcott Game (March 30, 1876–February 4, 1961) was a British Royal Air Force commander and Governor of New South Wales, Australia. ... List of Governors of New South Wales See Governors of the Australian states for a description and history of the office of Governor. ... Sir David Murray Anderson (1874 – 1936) was born in England and served as a naval officer rising to admiral in 1931 before retiring from the Royal Navy. ... Sir Isaac Isaacs Sir Isaac Alfred Isaacs, KBE, PC (6 August 1855 - 12 February 1948) Australian judge and politician, was the ninth Governor-General of Australia, the first Jew, and the first Australian to occupy that post. ... Michael Jeffery, Governor-General of Australia The Governor-General of Australia is the representative in Australia of Australias head of state, Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, who lives in the United Kingdom. ... The Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester (Henry William Frederick Albert), (31 March 1900 – 10 June 1974) was a member of the British Royal Family, the third son of King George V of the United Kingdom and Queen Mary. ...

Governors-General of Australia
Hopetoun | Tennyson | Northcote | Dudley | Denman | Munro-Ferguson | Forster | Stonehaven | Isaacs | Gowrie | Gloucester | McKell Slim | Dunrossil | De L'Isle | Casey | Hasluck | Kerr | Cowen | Stephen | Hayden | Deane | Hollingworth | Jeffery

Michael Jeffery, Governor-General of Australia The Governor-General of Australia is the representative in Australia of Australias head of state, Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, who lives in the United Kingdom. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Australia. ... The Marquess of Linlithgow, taken in 1902 when, as Earl of Hopetoun, he was Governor-general of Australia John Adrian Louis Hope, 1st Marquess of Linlithgow, 25 September 1860 - 29 February 1908), first Governor-General of Australia, was born at Queensferry, Linlithgowshire, Scotland, on 25 September 1860, the eldest son... Hallam Tennyson, 2nd Baron Tennyson, GCMG, PC (11 August 1852 - 2 December 1928), second Governor-General of Australia, was born at Chapel House, Twickenham, in Surrey, England. ... Lord Northcote Henry Stafford Northcote, 1st Baron Northcote (18 November 1846-29 September 1911), third Governor-General of Australia, was born in London, the second son of the prominent Conservative politician Sir Stafford Northcote, later 1st Earl of Iddesleigh. ... Lord Dudley William Humble Ward, 2nd Earl of Dudley (25 May 1867 - 29 June 1932), Lord Lieutenant of Ireland and fourth Governor-General of Australia, was born in London and was educated at Eton. ... Lord Denman Thomas Denman, 3rd Baron Denman, PC (16 November 1874 - 24 June 1954) was the fifth Governor-General of Australia. ... Sir Ronald Munro-Ferguson Sir Ronald Munro-Ferguson, later 1st Viscount Novar of Raith (6 March 1860 - 30 March 1934), sixth Governor-General of Australia, was probably the most politically influential holder of this post. ... Lord Forster Henry William Forster, PC, 1st Baron Forster of Lepe (31 January 1866 - 15 January 1936), seventh Governor-General of Australia, was born in Kent, England, the son of an Army officer. ... The Rt Hon. ... Sir Isaac Isaacs Sir Isaac Alfred Isaacs, KBE, PC (6 August 1855 - 12 February 1948) Australian judge and politician, was the ninth Governor-General of Australia, the first Jew, and the first Australian to occupy that post. ... The Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester (Henry William Frederick Albert), (31 March 1900 – 10 June 1974) was a member of the British Royal Family, the third son of King George V of the United Kingdom and Queen Mary. ... Sir William McKell William John McKell (26 September 1891 - 11 January 1985), twelfth Governor-General of Australia, was born in Pambula New South Wales, the son of a butcher. ... Field Marshal William Joseph Slim, 1st Viscount Slim, KG, GCB, GCMG, GCVO, GBE, DSO, MC (6 August 1897 – 14 December 1970), British military commander and 13th Governor-General of Australia. ... Lord Dunrossil William Shepherd Morrison, 1st Viscount Dunrossil (8 October 1893 - 3 February 1961), 14th Governor-General of Australia, was born in Scotland and educated at Edinburgh University. ... Rt Hon Viscount De LIsle The Right Honourable William Philip Sidney, 1st Viscount De LIsle, VC , PC (23 May 1909 - 5 April 1991), 15th Governor-General of Australia, was the last British Governor-General. ... Lord Casey Richard Gardiner Casey, Baron Casey KG, GCMG, CH, DSO, MC, PC (29 August 1890 - 17 June 1976), Australian politician and diplomat and 16th Governor-General of Australia, was born in Brisbane, Queensland. ... Sir Paul Meernaa Caedwalla Hasluck (1 April 1905 - 9 January 1993), Australian historian, public servant and politician, and 17th Governor-General of Australia, was born in Fremantle, Western Australia, into a family of Salvationists, whose values he retained throughout his career. ... Sir John Robert Kerr, AK, GCMG, GCVO, QC (24 September 1914 - 7 April 1991), 13th Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of New South Wales and 18th Governor-General of Australia, dismissed the Labor government of Gough Whitlam on 11 November 1975, sparking one of the most significant constitutional crises... Rt. ... The Rt. ... William George Hayden AC (born 23 January 1933), Australian politician and 21st Governor-General of Australia, was born in Brisbane, Queensland, the son of an American-born sailor of Irish descent. ... Sir William Deane The Honourable Sir William Patrick Deane AC KBE (born 4 January 1931), Australian judge and 22nd Governor-General of Australia, was born in Melbourne, Victoria. ... The Rt Revd Dr Peter Hollingworth AC OBE The Right Reverend Dr Peter Hollingworth AC OBE (born April 10, 1935), Australian bishop and 23rd Governor-General of Australia, became the first Governor-General to resign his office as a result of criticism of his conduct, when on 28 May... Major-General Philip Michael Jeffery, AC, CVO, MC (Retd) (born 12 December 1937), 24th Governor-General of Australia, was born in Wiluna, Western Australia and was educated at state schools in Perth. ... The title of Earl of Gowrie was created in the Peerage of the United Kingdom in 1945 for Alexander Hore-Ruthven, 1st Baron Gowrie, a former Governor-General of Australia. ... Alexander Patrick Greysteil Ruthven, 2nd Earl of Gowrie (born 26 November 1939) was a Conservative Party politician often known as Grey Gowrie; he works in the arts. ...

External links

• A guide to Lord Gowrie's Papers
• Australian Government records
• Burke's Peerage entry for the family
• Britiah Army Regimental Record

Sources

• Victoria Cross Reference