alt="Raby Castle"/> Raby Castle
A Sad Day in July
Chapter 3
London July 12
The memorial service was organised by the trust members with the assistance of several peers and friends of the couple. Harry, being an Earl, and Julie, being a Countess entitled them to the privilege of a service at Westminster Abbey.
It was held on 12 July with 300 mourners attending including the Prime Minister, Clement Attlee, several members of the House of Lords and members of the couple’s golf club, Burnham & Berrow. They were joined by many other friends and work colleagues.
Harry and Julie were both incarcerated in Changi Prison in Singapore during World War II. Several of their fellow prisoners attended the service.
One of the ex-Prisoners of War, Charlie Baker asked if he could speak.
‘The Earl and Countess de Neville, Harry and Julie, were an amazing couple; both doctors, both specialising in plastic surgery. Not to alter the nose shape of an actor or actress, but to help give our war veterans a new life by reshaping their faces and bodies after having had horrendous injuries inflicted on them during two world wars. I should know, I was one of them.
‘They could have had the good life in Britain, living in magnificent homes and being part of the social scene in London. They chose another direction, living in Singapore on the other side of the globe caring for our troops and their families.
‘With the fall off Singapore they were imprisoned in Changi suffering under the cruel rule of the Japanese. They both survived this horrendous chapter in our history only to die with their family in a tragic boating accident.
‘We will never forget them.’
Harry and Julie would have been placed in the family mausoleum at Brompton Cemetery if their remains had been recovered however, no remains were ever found. A plaque instead was placed there in memory.
Arlington July 12
Halfway across the world another memorial service was being held on the same day at Arlington National Cemetery for Tom, Peter, and Lucy who were all were part of the Doherty family, a family with a strong military background. More than two hundred mourners attended the service with a large contingent of military officers present.
Let Them Rest in Peace.
In God We Trust
Chapter 4
July 14 1948
Lisbeth woke at 6 am. She lay in her bed going over in her mind the questions she would put to Sir Horace; she knew the answers he gave would determine her decision. Putting on her dressing gown, she headed for the bathroom down the hall. Once dressed and made up she quietly climbed the ornate staircase leading to Lara’s bedroom. Lisbeth waited at the door to determine if Lara was awake, she heard no sound. Deciding to allow the little girl to sleep for a while longer, the nanny descended the stairs and walked to the large kitchen where the cook, Mrs Potter, was preparing breakfast.
‘Good morning Lucy, may I ask you to pour me a cup of tea please?’
‘Good morning Miss Forsyth. Yes, certainly I’ll bring it into the drawing room if you like.’
‘No Lucy, I’ll drink it here.’
‘Yes, ma’am.’
The young cook made the tea and brought it over to Lisbeth, who was seated at the long oak table where the staff ate their meals.
‘Tell me Lucy, are you happy working at Westmoreland?’
‘Oh yes, Miss Forsyth. Although I know things will be different without the Earl and Duchess being here. It’s so sad to lose them. I can’t imagine what it will be like for poor Lara.’
They both heard a noise. It was Lara, standing at the entrance to the kitchen with her teddy bear under her arm.
‘Hello darling. Would you like a glass of warm milk?’ asked Lucy.
‘Yes please.’
‘How did you sleep?’ asked Lisbeth.
‘Not very well. I had a terrible nightmare. I dreamt Mummy and Daddy died.’
‘Lara, come here darling.’
The little six-year-old walked slowly over to her nanny and sat beside her at the table.
‘Lara it wasn’t a nightmare sweetie. Mummy and Daddy have gone to heaven.’
‘Why? I don’t understand. They promised me they’d be back home soon. Daddy promised he’d buy me a pony when he got back.’
‘I’m sorry Lara, but God wanted your mummy and Daddy to be with him. They’re very special, and he needed their help to do his work.’
‘Will they always be looking down on me?’
‘They will be, always, darling.’
‘Who’s going to look after me?’
‘I am, together with all the people in this house. You are a very special girl.’
Lisbeth took the little girl’s hand; they made their way to Lara’s bathroom. The nanny ran a warm bath in which the little girl soaked for a good half an hour. Lisbeth knew it would be some time before Lara could cope with the everyday life of a six-year-old orphaned girl.
The family solicitor was on time. Lisbeth invited him into the study.
‘How is she coping?’
‘She’s having trouble believing her parents won’t be returning, a natural reaction I would have thought.’
‘Yes, I’m sure it will be some time before she comes to grips with it.’
‘The most important thing is she receives support from us all.’
‘I agree, that brings me to the structure of the Trust and most importantly your role in Lara’s upbringing. I have spoken to the other members of the trust regarding fostering young Lara.’
‘You haven’t told me who the Trust members are yet, Sir Horace.’
‘Sorry, I should let you know before we continue. There’s me of course plus Mr Arnold Harmsworth the family accountant and financial advisor. Mrs Elinor Humphries, Headmistress at St Leonards Preparatory School where Lara is enrolled. Finally, we have been able to find Lara’s second cousin Lord Andrew de Neville, the only other surviving member of the family. He also has agreed to become a Trust member.
‘So,
