Beatrix, Dowager Marchioness of Waterford: Memoirs 1895-1908, Maria Ines Dawney (ed.)

Beatrix Waterford was born Lady Beatrix Petty-Fitzmaurice in 1877. She was a member of the Anglo-Irish aristocracy, both by birth and by marriage. A daughter of the 5th Marquis of Lansdowne, she spent part of her childhood in India, where her father was Viceroy. He also served as Governor General of Canada, Secretary of State for War and Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. Her mother, Lady Lansdowne was Vicereine of India, Lady of the Bedchamber to Queen Alexandra and was awarded a GBE for charitable services after the Great War. In 1897 Beatrix married Henry Beresford, 6th Marquis of Waterford. They lived mainly in Curraghmore, County Waterford and had six children. Her husband died aged 37 in 1911. She was decorated by the King for her work with the Red Cross during the Great War. She set up the first Red Cross War Hospital Supply Depot in Merrion Square, Dublin, and this employed over 1,500 workers and there were a further 50 Depots around Ireland. She was awarded the GBE and the DGStJ. In 1918 she re-married, her second husband being Osborne Beauclerk, later 12th Duke of St Albans. They lived at Newtown Anner near Clonmel in County Tipperary. She died in Ireland in 1953.