Freeman Freeman-Thomas, 1st Marquess of Willingdon
Freeman Freeman-Thomas entered the world on the 12th of September 1866 in England. His father, Freeman Frederick Thomas, served as an officer in the rifle brigade of Ratton and Yapton before dying when his son was under two years old. Mabel, his mother, raised him alone and sent him to Eton College. He became President of the Eton Society and played cricket for three years. During his final year at school, he captained the playing eleven. This passion for sport continued at Trinity College, Cambridge. He joined the Cambridge playing eleven and also played for Sussex and I Zingari. After graduating, he volunteered for fifteen years with the Sussex Artillery. He achieved the rank of major during this service.
In 1892, he assumed the additional surname of Freeman by deed poll. That same year, he married the Hon. Marie Brassey, daughter of Thomas Brassey, who had recently been created Baron Brassey. Freeman-Thomas often cited her as a source of support, stating once: "My wife has been a constant inspiration and encouragement." The couple had two sons. Gerard was born on the 3rd of May 1893. Inigo followed on the 25th of July 1899. Tragically, Gerard was killed in World War I on the 14th of September 1914. Inigo eventually succeeded his father as Marquess of Willingdon. In 1897, Freeman-Thomas served as aide-de-camp to his father-in-law, then Governor of Victoria, Australia. Upon returning to the United Kingdom, he joined the Liberal Party. He won election to the British House of Commons in 1900 representing Hastings. He later lost that seat but returned via a by-election for Bodmin. He served as secretary to Prime Minister H. H. Asquith. In 1910, he was elevated to the peerage as Baron Willingdon of Ratton.
On the 17th of February 1913, Willingdon was appointed Crown Governor of Bombay. He replaced Lord Sydenham of Combe. On the 12th of March 1913, he received induction into the Order of the Indian Empire as Knight Grand Commander. Within a year, the First World War erupted. India became part of the conflict immediately. Lord Willingdon took responsibility for treating wounded soldiers from the Mesopotamian campaign. Mahatma Gandhi returned to Bombay from South Africa during this time. Willingdon was one of the first persons to welcome him. He invited Gandhi to Government House for a formal meeting. This marked their first encounter. Willingdon later described the spiritual leader as "honest, but a Bolshevik and for that reason very dangerous." In 1917, a severe famine broke out in the Kheda region of the Bombay Presidency. The government insisted taxes be paid despite farmers being unable to afford them. They even implemented a 23% increase to levies. Gandhi organized a Gujarat sabha with support from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. People sent a petition asking for tax cancellation. The Cabinet refused and advised confiscating property by force. Gandhi employed non-violent resistance which eventually succeeded.
Willingdon returned to the United Kingdom briefly before appointment on the 10th of April 1919 as Governor of Madras. This posting followed the Montagu, Chelmsford Reforms of 1918. These reforms were formalized by the Government of India Act. Power distributed between executive and legislative bodies. In November 1920, Willingdon dropped writs of election for the first Madras Legislative Council. The Indian National Congress party refused candidates due to adherence to Gandhi's non-cooperation movement. The Justice Party subsequently swept into power. A. Subbarayalu Reddiar became premier. Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught and Strathearn opened the first meeting of the Legislative Assembly. The following year, communal riots broke out in August 1921 within the Malabar District. Cases of arson, looting, and assaults occurred. Willingdon declared martial law just before government forces arrived to quell the unrest. Over 10,000 workers at Buckingham and Carnatic Mills organized a general strike lasting six months. Riots between pro- and anti-strike workers required police intervention. When his tenure ended, he was made Viscount Willingdon on the 24th of June 1924.
On the 5th of August 1926, George V approved Stanley Baldwin's recommendation appointing Willingdon as representative in Canada. The Conservative British Cabinet initially did not consider him a candidate. They felt he lacked necessary knowledge or public appeal. The King himself put forward Willingdon's name. Canadian Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King chose it as his preference. Willingdon received notification while on a diplomatic mission in China. This appointment marked the last Canadian viceregal choice by the monarch acting as sovereign of the United Kingdom. An Imperial Conference in October 1926 decided Dominions would be equal. The Statute of Westminster formalized this concept on the 11th of December 1931. Willingdon arrived at Quebec City in late 1926. On the 2nd of October, he was sworn in as governor-general inside the salon rouge of parliament buildings. He traveled to Ottawa to reside at Rideau Hall. He became the first governor general to travel by air. He flew from Ottawa to Montreal and back. He toured the Caribbean in 1929. He visited the United States in 1927 meeting President Calvin Coolidge. Vincent Massey welcomed him in Washington.
Willingdon had not been Governor General of Canada for five years before receiving word of his return to India as viceroy. After being appointed to the British Privy Council on the 20th of March 1931, he was sworn in on the 18th of April 1931. He replaced Earl of Bessborough just two weeks later. Upon arrival, India faced the Great Depression. Thousands of tonnes of gold shipped through Bombay port to London. Willingdon stated: "For the first time in history, owing to economic situation, Indians are disgorging gold." The India Office told him to conciliate only those willing to work with the Raj. This excluded Nehru and the Indian National Congress. They launched Civil Disobedience Movement on the 4th of January 1932. Willingdon imprisoned Gandhi. He outlawed the Congress party. He rounded up all Working Committee members and Provincial Committees. He banned Congress youth organizations. In total, he imprisoned 80,000 Indian activists. Protests became uneven without leaders. More women involved themselves. Terrorism emerged especially in North-West Frontier Province. Gandhi remained in prison until 1933. Willingdon relied on military secretary Hastings Ismay for personal safety.
Once back in the United Kingdom, Willingdon associated with Roland Gwynne. He attended parties at Folkington Manor estate. George V appointed him Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports. Edward VIII elevated him as Marquess of Willingdon on the 26th of May 1936. This made him the most recent person promoted to such rank. He undertook a goodwill mission to South America representing Ibero-American Institute. He chaired British committee commissioning army officers. In 1940, he represented UK at New Zealand centennial celebrations. On the 12th of August 1941, the Marquess died at 5 Lygon Place near Ebury Street in London. His ashes interred in Westminster Abbey. Many eponyms honor his legacy. The Willingdon Arts Competition dispensed awards for painting and sculpture. The Willingdon Cup contested annually since 1927 by Royal Canadian Golf Association. The Willingdon Club operates today in Mumbai open to both Indians and British. Geographic locations bear his name including Mount Willingdon and Willingdon Island. Schools named after him exist in Burnaby and Sangli. The Willingdon Dam stands in Junagadh.
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Common questions
When was Freeman Freeman-Thomas born and where did he die?
Freeman Freeman-Thomas entered the world on the 12th of September 1866 in England. He died at 5 Lygon Place near Ebury Street in London on the 12th of August 1941.
Who were the parents of Freeman Freeman-Thomas, 1st Marquess of Willingdon?
His father was Freeman Frederick Thomas who served as an officer in the rifle brigade of Ratton and Yapton before dying when his son was under two years old. His mother Mabel raised him alone and sent him to Eton College.
What role did Freeman Freeman-Thomas play during the Great Depression in India?
Willingdon stated that Indians were disgorging gold for the first time in history due to the economic situation. He imprisoned Gandhi and outlawed the Congress party while rounding up all Working Committee members and Provincial Committees.
How many times did Freeman Freeman-Thomas serve as Governor General of Canada?
He arrived at Quebec City in late 1926 and was sworn in as governor-general inside the salon rouge of parliament buildings on the 2nd of October. This appointment marked the last Canadian viceregal choice by the monarch acting as sovereign of the United Kingdom.
When did Freeman Freeman-Thomas become the Marquess of Willingdon?
Edward VIII elevated him as Marquess of Willingdon on the 26th of May 1936. This made him the most recent person promoted to such rank.