Arthur John Henniker

Arthur John Henniker


Identified as ‘Arty Henniker’ on the album page, this is probably Arthur John Henniker, later Admiral Sir Arthur John Henniker-Hughan, 6th Baronet.

Born Arthur John Henniker on 24 January 1866, he was the second son Sir Bridges Powell Henniker, 4th Baronet, of Newton Hall in Essex. His mother was Justina Louisa (née Hughan) of Airds House, Parton, Galloway. As a second son, he was not expected to inherit and so was bequeathed the Hughan family estates in Galloway by his maternal grandfather, Thomas Hughan. He inherited following the death of his aunt in 1896, at which point he took the second surname Hughan.

He entered the Royal Navy as a Midshipman in July 1879, at the age of 13. His subsequent career saw him posted in ships across the world, serving in Australia, North America, China, the Mediterranean, the Atlantic and in the Scottish Coastguard. He was promoted Captain in 1904, and was in command of the battleship HMS Ajax at the outset of World War I, serving in the Grand Fleet under Admiral Jellicoe. He became the commander of the Naval Dockyard at Devonport in December 1916, following his promotion to flag rank earlier that year. He retired after the war and was made a Companion of the Bath in recognition of his wartime services. In 1924 he became the MP (Unionist) for Galloway but died less than a year later.

He married Inger Margueretta Hutchinson, daughter of Graham Hutchinson of Balmaghie in Galloway on 26 January 1904. The marriage produced three daughters. Following the sudden and unexpected death of his brother Colonel Sir Frederick Henniker, Arthur succeeded to the title of 6th Baronet Henniker, of Newton Hall, Essex on 19 August 1908, but continued to live at Airds in Galloway.

He died of pneumonia on 4 October 1925 at a nursing home in London, aged 59. As he left no male heir the Henniker baronetcy passed on his death to a distant cousin, Sir Robert Henniker.

Photographed by Cundall Downes and Co of London.

From an album compiled by Elizabeth Van Der Weyer, the American wife of the Belgian Ambassador to the Court of St. James.

 


Code: 125975
© Paul Frecker 2024