John Charles William FitzRoy, 9th Duke of Grafton (1 August 1914 – 4 August 1936), was a British peer, politician, and race car driver, styled The Honourable John FitzRoy from 1914 to 1918 and Viscount Ipswich from 1918–1930. He inherited the dukedom at age 15, but died of severe burns following a crash in a motor race, aged 22.
Early life and education
FitzRoy was born in London — three days before the UK entered the First World War — the first child and only son of William FitzRoy, Viscount Ipswich and his wife, Auriol Margaretta Brougham. His father, an agriculturalist, was styled Viscount Ipswich as the eldest son and heir of Alfred FitzRoy, Earl of Euston, himself son and heir of Augustus FitzRoy, 7th Duke of Grafton.
Shortly after John's birth, his father, Viscount Ipswich, enlisted in the military as a gentleman ranker in the 5th Buffs. Before the end of the year he obtained a commission in the Coldstream Guards. In the summer of 1915, he returned home to Whittlebury Lodge after being wounded in France, suffering a burst eardrum from the bursting of a shell next to him. After recovering, he joined the Royal Air Force and was killed in April 1918 in an accident in Wiltshire.
On 4 December 1918, his great-grandfather the 7th Duke died, and John became heir to his grandfather, the 8th Duke.
In 1929, when styled as Viscount Ipswich, gave away his mother on the occasion of her second marriage, to Major Gavin Hume-Gore.
He succeeded his grandfather in 1930 at age 15, becoming the youngest duke in England at the time as well as youngest Duke of Grafton. In 1935, on the occasion of his 21st birthday, a large coming-of-age party was held at Euston Hall. The duke shook hands with all 1,400 guests, crippling his right hand for the rest of the night.
Adventures
The Duke enjoyed thrill-seeking activities. In August 1930, he was slightly injured while he trying out a new motorcycle at Euston Hall. He was thrown to the ground when the motorcycle skidded, and he received several abrasions on his face and hands.
In December 1935, he passed his test as a glider pilot and was a member of the Cambridge Gliding Club.