Vale: Lord Carrington
Published 11th July
You will likely have read the sad news that Peter Carington, 6th Baron Carrington, passed away, albeit peacefully, on Monday, a month into his 100th year (aged 99).
Peter Carington was the driving force behind the creation of the Cook Society and the Britain-Australia Society / Australia-Britain Society and of course was our President.
In recent years Lord Carrington had resumed a more active role with the Society, attending a dinner in his honour in May 2014 where he had guests enthralled with his finely-remembered stories and views on current affairs. He presented the B-AS Award to William Hague in 2015 and has added his signature since to awards made to Kylie Minogue, David Attenborough and Alexander Downer. On our 45th anniversary he wrote us a nice letter.
Having served as a Grenadier Guard in operation Market Garden, receiving the Military Cross, Carington served in Government under Winston Churchill and Anthony Eden. He then was posted as British High Commissioner to Australia (being the first resident of Westminster House when Lake Burley Griffin was yet to be created and riding a horse to his office).
On return to the UK Carington served as First Lord of the Admiralty under Harold Macmillan and in the Government of Alec Douglas-Home (a co-founder of the Britain-Australia Society).
He was appointed Defence Secretary under Edward Heath then Margaret Thatcher called him to be Foreign Secretary and Minister for Overseas Development.
Additionally he was at various times Secretary General of NATO, Leader of the House of Lords, Chairman of the Conservative Party, Chancellor of the Order of St Michael and St George, Chancellor of the Order of the Garter and either chairman or board member of Christie’s, Barclays Bank, Schweppes and the Daily Telegraph.
Carington’s impeccable moral compass and sense of public service are characteristics dearly to be wished of modern politicians and he will be sorely missed but very fondly remembered, particularly by those fortunate enough to have met this formidable yet humble man in person.
His Lordship leaves 3 children, Alexandra, Virginia and Rupert (now 7th Baron Carrington) and their extended families.
The Carington family has informed us that there will be a private family service and this will be followed by a memorial service in the Autumn. We will keep members apprised of details as those are forthcoming.
