Queen Mother’s brother paid ultimate price in war

Exhibition: First time public will see photos and letter

The First World War broke out on her 14th birthday and during that horrific conflict she would lose one of her beloved brothers.

Now to mark the centenary of the death of the Queen Mother’s older brother Fergus, an exhibition focusing on his sacrifice is to open this month at her Caithness home, the Castle of Mey.

A moving letter from Fergus – written on the French battlefield that would claim his life just four months later – and photographs of him with a young Elizabeth and brother David will go on show to the public for the first time.

A relaxed Fergus, who served as a captain with the 8th Battalion, Black Watch, is also pictured with his dog on his lap.

The tribute was selected by his grandson Jamie Joicey-Cecil from the family archives at Glamis in Angus.

The exhibition also shows, despite her tender years, the then Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon was determined to play her own part in the First World War at her childhood home.

Glamis Castle was turned into a convalescent home for wounded soldiers. Lady Elizabeth would write letters for the men and run errands to the shops for them.

After the death of Fergus, which severely affected their mother Cecilia, the countess of Strathmore, young Elizabeth took on even more care duties.

She once even saved the castle from being burned down – more than fulfilling her mother’s maxim that “duty is the rent you pay for life”.

Fergus was killed in the Battle of Loos, during the Hohenzollern Redoubt.

As he led an attack on the German lines his leg was blown off by a barrage of artillery and he fell back into his sergeant’s arms. Bullets struck him in the chest and shoulder, and he died on the field.

The letter from Fergus – addressed to his sister Rosie, but in which he promises to write soon to Elizabeth – reveals the constant danger the troops faced.

Just a fortnight after the start of the war Fergus had married Lady Christina Norah Dawson-Damer, daughter of the 5th Earl of Portarlington.

She bore him a daughter, Rosemary Luisa Bowes-Lyon, on July 18, two months before Fergus was killed. So he would never see his child.

The exhibition is being held in the chauffeur’s cottage at the Castle of Mey and opens on May 13.

A young Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon and her beloved brother Fergus, relaxed at Glamis with his dog on his lap.