Born on the 3rd of June 1833, the son of Edward Bolton King, M.P. for Warwick, High Sheriff, J.P. for Unterside, of Chadshunt, Warwickshire, and his wife, Georgina, daughter of Robert White, Esq., of Barrells Park, Co. Warwickshire.
His father was a one-time Lieutenant-Colonel in the Warwickshire Yeomanry Cavalry.
Cornet in the 13th Light Dragoons. 1st of November 1850.
"Horse Guards,
13th of July 1852,
Sir, — I am directed by the Commander-in-Chief to refer to you the enclosed letter from Mr. C. Cockburn of Princes Street, Edinburgh, in regard to a sum of £1/12/0 stated to be owing to him by Cornet King of the 13th Light Dragoons and to request that you will ascertain from that officer the reason for his not having liquidated the same if justly due. and pointing out to him the impropriety of his allowing his private debts to be made the subject of correspondence with a Military Department.
I am, etc., etc.,
J. Brown, AAG.
To the Officer Commanding, the 13th Light Dragoons, Hounslow.
Lieutenant, 13th Light Dragoons: 10th of March 1854.
Captain, 13th Light Dragoons: 25th of March 1855.
Retired, by the sale of his commission, on the 23rd of October 1855.
Cornet in the Warwickshire Yeomanry Cavalry: 23rd of January 1856.
1861 Census
16, Belaiden, Melcombe Regis.
Edward R King, 27, lodger, Racing Prophet, born Warwickshire.
Another lodger, W.A. Lethbridge, 30, fundholder, is also shown. King was to marry a Susan Lethbridge later that same year [see below].
On the 1st of July 1861, he married, at Bishop's Lydeard, Somerset, Susannah Octavia, daughter of Sir John Hesketh Lethbridge, of Sandhill Park, near Taunton.
Marriage registered
Edward Raleigh King to Susan [sic] Octavia Lethbridge, September Quarter 1861, Taunton.
Birth registered
Violet Frances King, June Quarter 1864, Newton A [presumably Newton Abbott].
Ethel Mary King, March Quarter 1871, Kensington.
Lieutenant, Warwickshire Yeomanry Cavalry: 18th of May 1862.
1871 Census
Church Lane, Lillington.
[No parents?]
Violet F. King, 6, born Torquay.
Ethel M., King, 10 weeks, born Lillington.
Five servants are also shown.
Never gazetted as a Captain.
Major, Warwickshire Yeomanry Cavalry: 23rd of February 1876.
Retired, resigning his commission, on the 28th of February 1876.
Lieutenant King served the Eastern campaign of 1854, including the battle of the Alma. (Medal and Clasp.)
Invalided to England on the 1st of October 1854.
1881 Census
Ottwell House, Kenilworth Road, Lillington, Warwickshire.
Edward R. King, 47, Magistrate, Landowner, born Umbersale, Warwicks.
Susan R. King, 37, born Southampton.
Violet F. King, 16, born Torquay
Ethel M., 10, born Lillington.
A visitor and six servants were kept, including a Swiss-born Governess and a Butler.
Entitled to the Crimean medal with clasp for the Alma and the Turkish medal.
"Horse Guards,
16th May1855.
Sir, — Referring to my letter of the 10th inst, I have the General Commanding-in-Chief's command to desire that all officers entitled to receive the Crimean medal and now with their Depots to be ordered to attend in London for the purpose of being present on the parade on Friday the 18th of May 1855 at 10 o'clock precisely. Be pleased to acknowledge its receipt.
I am, etc. etc.,
G.A. Weatherall. AAG.
[To] Officer Commanding the Cavalry Depots."
He was presented with his Crimean medal by Queen Victoria at aceremony on the Horse Guards Parade on the 18th of May 1855. His name appears on the Nominal Return of those present now in the PRO, and also on a similar roll which appeared in theUnited Services Magazine for June 1855 and on that which appeared in theIllustrated London News of the 26th of May 1855.
Death registered
Edward Raleigh King, 65, March Quarter 1900, Headington.
Obituary notice from the "Oxford Times" for Saturday the 17th of March 190O:
"Entered into rest on March the 14th, at No. 19 Norham Gardens, Oxford, Edward Raleigh King, of Chadshunt, Warwickshire, and of No. 20 Egerton Gardens, London, S.W.1."
Extract from the "Stratford-upon-Avon Gazette" for the 23rd of March 1900:
"Death of Captain King"
"Captain Edward Raleigh King, late of Chadshunt and No. 20 Egerton Gardens, London, died at No. 19 Norham Gardens, Oxford, on the 14th inst. in the 66th year of his age and his remains were interred in the churchyard of All Saint's [sic] at Chadshunt amidst marks of great respect on Saturday afternoon. [A list of family and mourners follows.]
Mr King was of a most kind and genial disposition, a true type of country squire and a good friend of the poor. Whilst he took no prominent part in politics he was a staunch supporter of the Conservative and Unionist cause."
In his will he left a personal estate of £42,999.
His tombstone in the churchyard of St. Giles at Chadshunt with Gaydon, Warwickshire, has the inscription:
"Entered into rest, Edward Raleigh King, March 14th 1900, aged 65 years."
On the left hand side: "March 27th 1915. Buried at Putney Vale, London, Violet, their eldest daughter, May perpetual light shine on her."
On the right hand side: "June 14th 1928, aged 76, Susannah Octavia, his wife, and an adored mother. 'Blessed are the pure in heart. Jesu Mercy.'"
The stone is in the form of a cross on three plinths and part of the surrounding kerb has now (1985) sunk below the ground.
Some 150 yards away, and on the opposite side of the churchyard are two tombs which record "Edward Bolton King. Died March 23rd 1878, aged 77 years." and "Louisa Bolton King. Born February 15th 1844 — Died August 15th 1920."
Between the two there is a small marble slab, inscribed, "In memory of Bolton King, who died 15th of May 1937, aged 73 years and of his wife, Lydia, who died 2nd of February 1965, aged 89 years."
It is strange that the two sets of graves are so far apart, although there is apparently plenty of room by the side of his parents.
1901 Census
47 Egerton Cresc. Kensington.
Susan Raleigh King, widow, aged 57, living on own means, born Southampton.
Violet R. King, 36, born Torquay.
Ethel M.R. King, 30, born Warwicks.
Three servants are also shown.
Death registered
Violet F.R. King [daughter], 50, Kensington, March Quarter 1915.
Additional Census information for 1861, 1871, 1881, 1901, 1911 and details of a number of registrations of births, marriages and deaths kindly provided by Chris Poole.