Maxwell Ward, 6th Viscount Bangor

Maxwell Richard Crosbie Ward, 6th Viscount Bangor OBE PC (Ire) (4 May 1868 – 17 November 1950), was an Irish peer and politician.^[1]

Lord Bangor dressed in coronation robes, 1911

Early life and education

Ward was born to Henry Ward, 5th Viscount Bangor, and his first wife, scientific illustrator Mary Ward, who died in the world's first motoring accident.

He was educated at Harrow School and the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich.^[2][1]

Military service

Ward was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Royal Artillery on 23 July 1887, and promoted to lieutenant on 23 July 1890. He was promoted to captain on 1 April 1898, appointed divisional adjutant in February 1900,^[3] and Instructor at the School of Gunnery on 10 October 1900.^[4] Promotion to major came in 1906. After his father's death in 1911, he succeeded to the title of Viscount Bangor. He retired from active duty in 1912 and commanded the Antrim Royal Garrison Reserve Artillery. He was recommissioned in 1914 after the start of the First World War. He was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the 1919 New Year Honours.^[5][1]

Political career

He was a representative peer in the House of Lords from 1913 to 1950 and an Ulster Unionist member of the Senate of Northern Ireland from 1921 until his death in 1950. He was Deputy Leader of the Senate and Parliamentary Secretary in the Department of the Prime Minister from 1929 to 1930 before serving as Speaker of the Senate from 1930 to 1950.^[6][7]

Family

Ward married, in 1905, Agnes Elizabeth (née Hamilton), with whom he had one son and three daughters. He was succeeded by his son Edward Ward, a journalist who made his name as a BBC foreign correspondent.^[1]

He died at his home, Castle Ward, at the age of 82.^[1]

References

1. "Viscount Bangor". The Times. 18 November 1950. p. 8.
2. John F. Harbinson, The Ulster Unionist Party, 1882–1973, p.204
3. "No. 27170". The London Gazette. 2 March 1900. p. 1434.
4. Hart′s Army list, 1901
5. "No. 31092". The London Gazette (Supplement). 1 January 1919. p. 6.
6. The Government of Northern Ireland
7. Ark Elections, The Northern Ireland Senate, 1921–72

Political offices
Preceded by The Lord Headley	Representative peer for Ireland 1913–1950	Office lapsed
Preceded by The Viscount Massereene	Deputy Leader of the Senate of Northern Ireland 1929–1930	Succeeded by John Andrew Long
Preceded by The Viscount Massereene	Parliamentary Secretary, Department of the Prime Minister (Northern Ireland) 1929–1930	Succeeded by John Andrew Long
Preceded by The Marquess of Dufferin and Ava	Speaker of the Senate of Northern Ireland 1930–1950	Succeeded by Roland Nugent
Peerage of Ireland
Preceded by Henry Ward	Viscount Bangor 1911–1950	Succeeded by Edward Ward