William Dudley Ward

William Dudley Ward PC (October 14, 1877-November 11, 1946), was a British Liberal politician and sportsman.

Ward was the son of William Humble Ward and the great-grandson of William Humble Ward, 10th Baron Ward (see the Earl of Dudley for further information on the Ward family). His mother was the Hon. Eugenie Violet Adele, daughter of William Brett, 1st Viscount Esher. He was returned to Parliament for Southampton in 1906, a seat he held until 1922, and served under H. H. Asquith as Treasurer of the Household from 1909 to 1912 and under David Lloyd George as Vice-Chamberlain of the Household from 1917 to 1922. In 1922 he was admitted to the Privy Council. Apart from his political career Ward was also an accomplished sailor. He competed in the 1908 Summer Olympics and was a crew member of the British boat "Sorais", which won the bronze medal in the 8 metre class.

Ward married Winifred May "Freda" Birkin (better known under her married name of Freda Dudley Ward), daughter of Colonel Charles Wilfred Birkin, in 1913. She was a socialite and mistress of Edward, Prince of Wales. The marriage produced two daughters, of whom the eldest, Penelope Dudley Ward, was a leading actress in the 1930's and 1940's. The couple were divorced in 1931. Ward died in November 1946, aged 69. His wife, who had remarried in 1937, died in March 1983, aged 88.

References

*Kidd, Charles, Williamson, David (editors). "Debrett's Peerage and Baronetage" (1990 edition). New York: St Martin's Press, 1990.
* [http://www.angeltowns.com/town/peerage/ Leigh Rayment's Peerage Page]
* [http://www.thepeerage.com/ www.thepeerage.com]
* [http://www.databaseolympics.com/players/playerpage.htm?ilkid=WARDWIL01 Profile at www.databaseolympics.com]