15 Facts About Harry McCalmont

Colonel Harry Leslie Blundell McCalmont, CB was a British army officer, race-horse owner, yachtsman and Conservative party politician.

Harry McCalmont was the son of Hugh Barklie Blundell McCalmont, and was educated at Eton College before gaining a commission in the 6th Regiment of Foot in 1881.

Harry McCalmont subsequently transferred to the Scots Guards four years later.

Harry McCalmont used this income to purchase the Cheveley Park estate and stud farm near Newmarket from the Duke of Rutland.

Harry McCalmont retired from the regular army in 1889, becoming colonel of the 6th Battalion of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment.

Harry McCalmont was a keen yachtsman and member of the Royal Yacht Squadron.

Harry McCalmont commissioned the building of Tarantula, the first turbine-powered steam yacht in the World.

In 1895 a general election was called, and McCalmont was selected as Conservative candidate for the Newmarket constituency, then held by the Liberals.

Harry McCalmont was successful, unseating the sitting Member of Parliament, Sir George Newnes.

The Second Boer War broke out in 1899, and in the following year Harry McCalmont's battalion went to South Africa, serving in the Cape Colony and Orange River Colony.

Harry McCalmont was made a Companion of the Order of the Bath for his services in the war.

King Edward VII visited Harry McCalmont for shooting at Cheveley park in November 1902, as part of a trip to Newmarket.

Harry McCalmont died suddenly at his London home from heart failure in December 1902.

Harry McCalmont was married to Amy Miller, daughter of Major John Miller, who died in 1889; and then in 1897 to Winifred de Bathe, daughter of Sir Henry de Bathe, 4th Baronet.

Harry McCalmont left no issue, and the bulk of his fortune passed to his second cousin, Dermot McCalmont, son of his father's first cousin, Colonel Sir Hugh McCalmont, KCB.