NOTES

Below are more details on some characters in my family tree who were well known in their fields.

Lt Gen Sir Henry Knight Storks GCB, GCMG, 1811–75 – my great-grandfather’s guardian and father of Sophie, my great-grandfather’s half-sister

Sir Henry had a long and distinguished career as a soldier, colonial governor, civil servant and finally an MP. During the Crimean War he was in charge of the British establishments in Turkey and superintended the final withdrawal of the British from Turkey. He supported Florence Nightingale.

After the war he became High Commissioner of the Ionian Islands and later Governor of Malta. Subsequently he was appointed Controller-in-Chief and Under Secretary of War.

Sir Henry was initially married to Maria Elisa Adelaide, daughter of the Italian writer Amalia Sola Nizzoli.   

Richard Langford Speaight CMG

Commander Sir Nathaniel Dance, 1748–1827 – a descendant by marriage of my mother’s family

Served as a commander in the East India Company. Defeated a French fleet through clever seamanship at Pulo Aura in the Mallacca Straits.

George Speaight, 1914–2005

George Speaight was a well-known theatre historian, author and performer. He was the leading authority on the 19th century toy theatre. He was christened George Victor because at the time of his birth on 5th September 1914 the news of victory in the battle of the Marne, or it may be claims of alleged victory in the early stages of that encounter, were coming through.

Hepzibah Speaight (nee Waters)

Married to Charles Speaight.

Robert Speaight CBE, 1904–76

Robert Speaight was a well-known actor, particularly for his role as Thomas Becket in T.S. Eliot’s Murder in the Cathedral. He was also the author of biographies of Eric Gill (whom he knew) and Hilaire Belloc.