3. Frederick² Halsey 1st Baronet Gaddesden (Thomas Plumer¹) was born 9/12/1839. Frederick died 12/02/1927 in Gaddesden Place, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, at 87 years of age.

He married Mary Julia Wells. Mary was the daughter of Frederick Octavius Wells. Mary died 8/12/1922.

Frederick was memorialized 16/02/1927 in St. Albans Abbey, Hertfordshire. .

From The Times, February 14, 1927

Sir Frederick Halsey, of Gaddesden Place, Hemel Hempstead, who died there on Saturday at the age of 87, was an excellent example of the able and energetic country gentleman, versed in public affairs, kindly, courteous, and self-sacrificing. It is a type in which this country has in the the past been peculiarly rich. Halsey's long life was spent in doing his utmost for his country and his county, to both of which he was devotedly attached.

He was the head of one of the oldest of the Hertfordshire county families, members of which have been landowners at Great Gaddesden since the 15th century. They have from generation to generation taken active parts in the affairs of the county, several of them having filled the office of High Sheriff and others having been county members. His father, Mr. Thomas Plumer Halsey, was first elected for the county in 1847, and was reelected for the county in 1852. He married Frederica, the daughter and heiress of General Frederick Johnstone, of Hilton, and had issue Sir Frederick Halsey, born on December 9, 1839, and Mr. Ethelbert Arthur Sackville Halsey. Mr. T. P. Halsey, his wife, and his younger son lost their lives on April 24, 1854, while crossing the Gulf of Genoa in the steamer Ercolano. At this time Sir Frederick was a boy at Eton. He had gone there the year before, Mr. W. Evans was his "Dame" and the Rev. F. E. Durnford ("Judy" Durnford) was his tutor. In due course he went up to Christ Church, and while there rowed No. 3 in the Oxford Eight in 1860. After graduating in 1861, he took up his position in Hertfordshire, joining the North Herts Yeomanry and becoming a Justice of the Peace for the county, and he soon took an active part in county affairs. From his Oxford days he was interested in the Thames, and at his death was vice-chairman of the Thames Conservancy Board.

In 1874 Halsey was returned to Parliament with two colleagues as a Conservative for Hertfordshire. When the county was divided in 1885 he stood for the Watford division and was elected after a close contest with Sir George Faudel-Phillips, but he lost his seat in the great Liberal reaction of 1906. He took his defeat with characteristic good humour, and, in seconding the vote of thanks to the returning officer, drily observed: "After all, gentlemen, I think I have got the best of it, because, while your honourable member will be engaged in Parliament in trying to perform the promises he has made to electors, I shall be comfortably in bed." In Parliament Sir Frederick made a reputation for sound common sense and loyalty to the best traditions of the House, with the result that in 1899 he was elected chairman of the Standing Orders and Selection Committee, an important office for which he was eminently qualified by his strength of character, knowledge of Parliamentary procedure, and judicial fairness. During his tenure it became his duty to report Mr. Lloyd George to the House for non-attendance on a Committee on which he had been appointed to serve, and this incident was recalled by the erring member in later years when he had become Prime Minister. In recognition of his services on this Committee Sir Frederick was sworn of the Privy Council.

Halsey won the respect and esteem of Hertfordshire people of all shades of politics. To show their approbation of his services in Parliament, the principal residents entertained him at dinner which was presided over by the late Lord Salisbury, then Prime Minister, who referred to the Halsey family as being one in the county compared with which "those of the noble lords who sit around me and my own are but as of yesterday". Halsey's defeat at the poll enabled him to devote more time to local affairs. He had always been an active magistrate and was chariman of Quarter Sessions for the St. Albans division of the county from 1908 to 1918, having previously served as deputy chairman since 1889. He had a sound knowledge of the criminal law, and the decisions of his Court were never disturbed by the Court of Criminal Appeal. His humanity and sympathy equalled his fair-mindedness, and he was a great believer in the Poor Prisoners Defence Act. On the reform of local government in 1888 he was elected a county alderman, and was chosen as the first chairman of the Standing Joint Committee, which controls, among other matters, the county police. He took a personal interst in the Hertfordshire force, which reached a high standard of efficiency. In 1905 Halsey became chairman of the Hertfordshire County Council. He had already been chairman of several of the principal committees, and his Parliamentary experience stood him in good stead. Probably no county council has ever had a more efficient chief, and on his resignation in 1920 he received the honour of a baronetcy.

All through his life Sir Frederick took a keen interest in military matters. He served in the Hertfordshire Yeomanry for many years, eventually becoming second-in-command and retiring with the rank of lieutenant-colonel. On the formation of the Territorial Force, he joined the Hertfordshire Association, eventually becoming its chairman, and rendering his customary diligent and conscientious service. He did much to encourage recruiting; all through the war he performed as vice-lieutenant the duties of the lord lieutenant, Lord Hampden, who was abroad on active service.

The services rendered to Freemasonry by Sir Frederick Halsey are without parallel in the history of the United Grand Lodge of England. He had been a member of the craft for 66 years. As Deputy Grand Master of England, to which office he was appointed in 1903 by the Duke of Connaught, in succession to the late Lord Warwick, he rendered signal service; his appointment as Second Grand Principal of the Supreme Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masonry dated from the same time. He held both these offices until April of last year, when he resigned on the ground of advancing years, and was succeeded by Colonel (now Lord) Cornwallis. During the Great War nearly every day he was to be found at Freemasons' Hall in Great Queen-street, presiding at committee meetings or taking part in other routine assemblies. The thanks of the Masonic Craft were testified by the presentation of this full-length portrait which now hangs in Freemasons' Hall, the cost of which was defrayed by Grand Lodge.

Sir Frederick was a considerable landowner in the counties of Hertford and Dorset. He was fond of sport, especially of fishing and shooting, which he was able to enjoy almost to the end of his long and useful life. He married Mary Julia, daughter of the late Mr. Frederick Octavius Wells, of the Bengal Civil Service, and had seveon sons, of whom six survive him - namely, Lieutenant-Colonel Walter Johnstone Halsey, late of the Hertfordshire Militia, who succeeds him in the baronetcy; Captain Arthur Halsey, R.N.; Admiral Sir Lionel Halsey, of the Prince of Wales's Household; Major Reginald Halsey, late of the Hertfordshire Yeomanry; the Rev. Gerald Halsey, all of whom served with distinction in the war; and the Rev. Frederick Halsey, Rector of Shenley. He also leaves two daughters, Mrs. Walter Edward Barnett, of Red Hall, Croxley Green, and Mrs. Granville, of Wellebourne Hall, Warwick. Lady Halsey died on December 8, 1922.

The funeral at Gaddesden will be private. A memorial service will be held at St. Albans Abbey on Wednesday, at 3.20.

Frederick Halsey 1st Baronet Gaddesden and Mary Julia Wells had the following children:

+ 4 i. Walter Johnstone³ Halsey 2nd Baronet.

5 ii. Edith Halsey (living status unknown).

6 iii. Cecelia Halsey. She married Walter Barnett.

7 iv. Reverend Frederick Halsey. Married to Audrey

8 v. Reverend Gerald Halsey.

9 vi. Major Reginald Halsey.

10 vii. Captain Arthur Halsey was born 31/07/1869. Arthur died 15/08/1957 in Wye, Kent, at 88 years of age. He married twice. He married Dorothy Mary Leatham. Dorothy died 1950. He married Blanche Helen Kerr Pechell 1909. Blanche was the daughter of Admiral M. R. Pechell. Blanche died 1917. .

From The Times, August 16, 1957

Captain Arthur Halsey, C.B.E., died yesterday at his home at Wye, Kent, at the age of 88. The second son of the Rt. Hon. Sir Frederick Halsey, first baronet, and thus an elder brother of the late Admiral Sir Lional Halsey, he was born on July 31, 1869, and entered H.M.S. Britainnia in 1883. He was Flag Lieutenant, The Nore, from 1894 to 1896 and later commanded H.M.S. Bruizer at the blockade of Crete. During his service in the Boer War he was landed in charge of guns from H.M.S. Philomel.

In the First World War he was on the Embarkation Staff from 1914 to 1917 and from 1917 to the cessation of hostilities was Naval Vice-Consul controlling Scandinavian food convoys. He was appointed C.B.E. in 1919 for his services.

He married in 1909 Blanche Helen Kerr, daughter of Admiral M. R. Pechell. She died in 1917. There was a daughter of the marriage. He married, secondly, Dorothy Mary, daughter of Samuel Gurney Leatham. She died in 1950.

11 viii. Sir Lionel Halsey was born in London 26/02/1872. Lionel died 26/10/1949 in Mount Pleasant, Old Warden, Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, at 77 years of age. His body was interred 29/10/1949 in Old Warden Parish Church, Bedfordshire. He married Morwenna Granville 24/01/1905. Morwenna was the daughter of Major Bevil Granville. Morwenna died 20/02/1959.

Lionel was promoted 1893 in Lieutenant. Lionel was promoted 1/01/1901 in Commander. Educated at Stubbington House, Fareham, Hampshire. Entered the Royal Naval College, Dartmouth in 1885.

From The Times, October 27, 1949

Admiral Sir Lionel Halsey, G.C.M.G., G.C.V.O., K.C.I.E., C.B., who after long and distinguished service in the Navy was for many years Comptroller and Treasurer to the Prince of Wales, died at his home near Biggleswade, Befordshire, yesterday at the age of 77.

He was on the active list of the Royal Navy from 1885 until 1922, was in action in the South African war, and, in the war of 1914-18, was one of the few officers who took part in all three North Sea battles. During his service he was widely recognized as being in the front rank. He was a born leader, a first-class seaman, and a master of his profession. A man of much charm, he was regarded by all who knew him or served under him with affection as well as with the loyalty which a high sense of duty and unswerving devotion to an ideal can always command. He had a great devotion to the Royal Family, and was deeply moved by the abdication from the Throne of one whom he had served so long and loyally. Though his appointment at Court caused him to move among the great and to take part in great events, he never lost his love of simple things, and he was never so happy as when he was leading a quiet country life at his home in Bedfordshire.

The fourth son of the Right Hon. Sir Thomas Frederick Halsey, he was born on February 26, 1872, joined the Navy in 1885, and served as a sub-lieutenant in the Royal Yacht. In 1897 he joined the Powerful, whence he was landed for duty with the naval guns in the South African war. He was in command of a 4.7in. battery in Ladysmith during the siege, towards the end of which he was in charge of all the naval guns, and his services were mentioned in dispatches. He was commander of the Good Hope, flagship of Rear Admiral W.H. Fawkes, in the Cruiser Squadron, from 1902 to 1905, in June of which latter year he was promoted to captain at the early age of 33.

After commanding the Donegal he was specially chosen in 1912 for the New Zealand, the battle-cruiser presented to the Royal Navy by the Dominion of that name, and he commanded her on the tour she made of ports in the Antipodes and round the world during 1913, being made a C.M.G. on the conclusion of the cruise. The New Zealand had a great popular reception wherever she went, and it was during this voyage that Halsey received from a Maori chief the kiwi robe which he promised to wear, and indeed did wear, whenever he went into action in the subsequent war. The outbreak of war with Germany found the New Zealand back in the North Sea, and Halsey commanded her in the Heligoland Bight and Dogger Bank actions. In May, 1915, he was appointed Captain of the Fleet, with the rank of commodore. During the battle of Jutland he earned the warm commendation of his chief, and was made a C.B. later in the year. On the nomination of Jellicoe as First Sea Lord Halsey accompanied him to the Admiralty as Fourth Sea Lord, and in May, 1917, a few days after he had been promoted to rear admiral, became Third Sea Lord. He hoisted hsi flag in September, 1918, in the Australia as Rear Admiral Commanding the Australian Fleet and in command of the Second Battle-Cruiser Squadron of the Grand Fleet, and he was present at the German surrender on November 22 of that year and promoted ot K.C.M.G.

Created a K.C.V.O. in 1919, he was appointed in the course of the next year Comptroller and Treasurer to the Prince of Wales, a member of the Council of the Duchy of Cornwall, and promoted G.C.V.O. He became an Extra Equerry to the Prince in 1821, and accompanied him on his tours to Canada in 1919, to Australia in 1920, and to India and Japan in 1921-22, when he was made a K.C.I.E. Promoted to vice admiral in 1921, he retired voluntarily towards the end of the next year. He was made G.C.M.G. in 1925, and was promoted admiral onthe retired list in 1926. After his retirement he became a J.P. and Deputy Lieutenant for the county of Hertfordshire, and threw himself with enthusiasm into the work of the Navy League, particularly in connexion with the Sea Cadet Corps, of which he became Honorary Commodore in England and Wales in 1942. During the 1939-45 war he was county director for Bedfordshire of the British Red Cross Society, and had been president since 1945. He inherited his father's interest Freemasonry, and himself attained high rank in the craft.

He married in 1905 Morwenna, youngest daughter of Major Bevil Granville, of Wellesbourne, Warwickshire, and by her had two daughters.

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