George Vere Arundell Monckton-Arundell, 8th Viscount Galway, (24 March 1882 – 27 March 1943) was a British politician. He served as the fifth Governor-General of New Zealand from 1935 to 1941.

Early life

thumb|left|Simon, the 8th Viscount Galway, Isabel, Lucia, Celia and Mary (from left).

George Vere Arundell Monckton-Arundell Galway was born on 24 March 1882.

He received his education at a preparatory school in Berkshire before attending Eton College (1895–1900) and Christ Church College, University of Oxford (1900–1904). He read Modern History and graduated with Bachelor of Arts and took the Master of Arts subsequently (this degree at Oxford, Cambridge and Dublin is an elevation in rank and not a postgraduate qualification).

Lord Galway succeeded his father to the family's Irish peerage in 1931.

Career

Military career

Monckton-Arundell was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Nottinghamshire (Sherwood Rangers) Yeomanry on 1 January 1900, and promoted to lieutenant on 11 June 1902. In 1904, he joined the First Life Guards, the senior regiment of the British Army that makes up the Household Cavalry, where he rose to the rank of colonel. During the First World War he was appointed as adjutant general and quartermaster general. He was of the Royal Artillery (1933–35). In 1933 he was appointed Colonel Commandant of the Honourable Artillery Company (HAC) until 1935, when he relinquished it on appointment as Governor-General of New Zealand. Upon retirement from his post as governor-general he returned as Colonel Commandant of the HAC until his death. He was also appointed Honorary Colonel of the 7th (Robin Hood) Battalion, Sherwood Foresters (later 42nd (The Robin Hoods, Sherwood Foresters) Anti-Aircraft Battalion, Royal Engineers) in 1933.

Political ambitions

In 1910, Monckton-Arundell attempted to follow his father into the House of Commons. He contested the Scarborough constituency in the January and December elections of 1910, but was unsuccessful both times.

Governor-General of New Zealand

Viscount Galway was Governor-General of New Zealand from 12 April 1935 to 3 February 1941. His military background made an impression with cabinet ministers of the time. His term was twice extended because of the Second World War. and were donated to the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa in 1980.

thumb|George Monckton-Arundell, photographed by Herman Schmidt, circa 1935

Galway was a freemason. During his term as governor-general, he was also Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of New Zealand. In the 1937 Coronation Honours, he was appointed a member of the Privy Council.

Later years

Upon his return to England, Galway held the honorary post of Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire under the 7th Duke of Portland.

  • Celia Ella Vere Monckton (1925–1997), who married Sir Joshua Rowley, 7th Baronet, son of Lt.-Col. Sir Charles Rowley, 6th Baronet, in 1959.
  • Isabel Cynthia Monckton (b. 1926), who married John King, Baron King of Wartnaby, son of Albert John King, in 1970. (Carved depiction)

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|crest = 1st, On a chapeau Azure doubled, turned up Ermine, a swallow Argent (Arundell); 2nd, A martlet Or (Monckton).

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|escutcheon = Quarterly, 1st and 4th Sable, six swallows, three, two and one, Argent (Arundell); 2nd and 3rd Sable, on a chevron, between three martlets Or, as many mullets of the field (Monckton).

|supporters = Two unicorns Ermine, crined, armed and unguled, each gorged with an Eastern diadem Or.

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|motto = (To extend my fame by deeds)

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References

  • Short biography by the office of the Governor-General

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