George Paynter
1880-1950
1880-1950
Brigadier-General Sir George Camborne Beauclerk Paynter, KCVO, SMG, DSO, was born in London on August 2, 1880, the son of Major George Paynter and Frances Maria Janetta Beauclerk.
Brigadier-General Sir George Camborne Beauclerk Paynter, KCVO, SMG, DSO, was born in London on August 2, 1880, the son of Major George Paynter and Frances Maria Janetta Beauclerk.
Having been educated at Eton and the Royal Military College Sandhurst, he received a commission into the 4th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment in March 1998, but transferred to the Scots Guards in October 1899.
Having been educated at Eton and the Royal Military College Sandhurst, he received a commission into the 4th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment in March 1998, but transferred to the Scots Guards in October 1899.
Following the outbreak of the Second Boer War in late 1899, the 2nd battalion Scots Guards were posted to South Africa as reinforcements in April 1900. George served there with the battalion until the end of the war, taking part in operations in the Orange River Colony from May to November. He was promoted to lieutenant in March 1901. When the war ended, he returned with his regiment in October 1902.
Following the outbreak of the Second Boer War in late 1899, the 2nd battalion Scots Guards were posted to South Africa as reinforcements in April 1900. George served there with the battalion until the end of the war, taking part in operations in the Orange River Colony from May to November. He was promoted to lieutenant in March 1901. When the war ended, he returned with his regiment in October 1902.
He then began race-riding, although, weighing 12st 5lb, he mainly confined himself to riding in military and hunt races. He had his first mount in public on a horse named Lincoln at Nottingham but fell at the first open ditch. However, he succeeded in getting Lincoln round next time, albeit after remounting, in the 1903 Scots Guards’ Challenge Cup at Hawthorn Hill’s Household Brigade meeting in April 1903.
He then began race-riding, although, weighing 12st 5lb, he mainly confined himself to riding in military and hunt races. He had his first mount in public on a horse named Lincoln at Nottingham but fell at the first open ditch. However, he succeeded in getting Lincoln round next time, albeit after remounting, in the 1903 Scots Guards’ Challenge Cup at Hawthorn Hill’s Household Brigade meeting in April 1903.
Undaunted, that inauspicious start merely served as an incentive. In the point-to-point field he won the Scots Guards’ Regimental race five years in succession between 1905 and 1909. In 1906 he won the Brigade of Guards point-to-point and finished second in the same race in 1907 and 1908.
Undaunted, that inauspicious start merely served as an incentive. In the point-to-point field he won the Scots Guards’ Regimental race five years in succession between 1905 and 1909. In 1906 he won the Brigade of Guards point-to-point and finished second in the same race in 1907 and 1908.
Under National Hunt rules, after finishing second on Blondel in the 1905 Scots Guards’ Challenge Cup at Hawthorn Hill, he then won the race three years running on Blondel (1906), Red Cent II (1907) and Roscommon II (1908).
Under National Hunt rules, after finishing second on Blondel in the 1905 Scots Guards’ Challenge Cup at Hawthorn Hill, he then won the race three years running on Blondel (1906), Red Cent II (1907) and Roscommon II (1908).
On March 6, 1908, he rode the little-fancied six-year-old Mount Prospect’s Fortune, carrying 13st in heavy ground, to land the Grand Military Gold Cup at Sandown, winning by four lengths from Irish Wisdom, who had appeared to have the race at his mercy three fences from home. What made the victory all the more credible was that Mount Prospects Fortune, a bold and free jumper who needed holding together at each fence, was far from being an easy ride.
On March 6, 1908, he rode the little-fancied six-year-old Mount Prospect’s Fortune, carrying 13st in heavy ground, to land the Grand Military Gold Cup at Sandown, winning by four lengths from Irish Wisdom, who had appeared to have the race at his mercy three fences from home. What made the victory all the more credible was that Mount Prospects Fortune, a bold and free jumper who needed holding together at each fence, was far from being an easy ride.
Three weeks later, on the strength of that victory, Mount Prospect’s Fortune went off a well-fancied 14-1 chance for that year’s Grand National. He was ridden by a professional that day but found the fences at Liverpool very different from those at Sandown, and duly fell.
Three weeks later, on the strength of that victory, Mount Prospect’s Fortune went off a well-fancied 14-1 chance for that year’s Grand National. He was ridden by a professional that day but found the fences at Liverpool very different from those at Sandown, and duly fell.
George started the following month by riding a double at the Melton Hunt fixture on April 1, winning the Open Chase on Swindler and the Ladies’ Purse Chase on Roscommon II. Then, the very next day, he won the Farmers’ Hurdle at Croxton Park on Merry Susan.
George started the following month by riding a double at the Melton Hunt fixture on April 1, winning the Open Chase on Swindler and the Ladies’ Purse Chase on Roscommon II. Then, the very next day, he won the Farmers’ Hurdle at Croxton Park on Merry Susan.
In 1909 he won the Aldershot Chase on a horse named R.I.C., who the following year gave George the first leg of a double on the second day of Sandown’s Grand Military meeting when landing the Tally-Ho Chase. The double was completed half an hour later on Romer in the Maiden Chase. He then rode Romer to win the Household Brigade Challenge Cup at Hawthorn Hill, the Doddington Handicap Chase at Southwell, and the Robin Hood Scurry Chase at Hall Green’s last ever National Hunt meeting on May 25, 1910. He had seven wins from 35 mounts that season.
In 1909 he won the Aldershot Chase on a horse named R.I.C., who the following year gave George the first leg of a double on the second day of Sandown’s Grand Military meeting when landing the Tally-Ho Chase. The double was completed half an hour later on Romer in the Maiden Chase. He then rode Romer to win the Household Brigade Challenge Cup at Hawthorn Hill, the Doddington Handicap Chase at Southwell, and the Robin Hood Scurry Chase at Hall Green’s last ever National Hunt meeting on May 25, 1910. He had seven wins from 35 mounts that season.
In 1911 he was made a member of the National Hunt Committee, in later years becoming its President. His racing colours were light blue, white sleeves.
In 1911 he was made a member of the National Hunt Committee, in later years becoming its President. His racing colours were light blue, white sleeves.
Despite ever-increasing weight and military duties, Captain Paynter continued to ride with much success up to the Great War. His winners in 1912 included Jim May in the Oakly Chase at Ludlow. He rode two winners at the 1913 Household Brigade meeting, landing the Scots Guards’ Challenge Cup for a fourth time aboard Miss Patkin and the and the Household Brigade Handicap Chase on Jack Symons.
Despite ever-increasing weight and military duties, Captain Paynter continued to ride with much success up to the Great War. His winners in 1912 included Jim May in the Oakly Chase at Ludlow. He rode two winners at the 1913 Household Brigade meeting, landing the Scots Guards’ Challenge Cup for a fourth time aboard Miss Patkin and the and the Household Brigade Handicap Chase on Jack Symons.
In 1914 he won the Grand Military Gold Cup for a second time aboard Jack Symons (below) whom he’d also ridden to victory the previous month in the Mansfield Handicap Chase at Nottingham. On April 27 he won a second successive Household Brigade Handicap Chase, this time on Jim May.
In 1914 he won the Grand Military Gold Cup for a second time aboard Jack Symons (below) whom he’d also ridden to victory the previous month in the Mansfield Handicap Chase at Nottingham. On April 27 he won a second successive Household Brigade Handicap Chase, this time on Jim May.
By then, however, war with Germany was imminent. Both the Grand Military and Household Brigade meetings were lost for the next five years while the soldiers fought on the battlefields of World War I.
By then, however, war with Germany was imminent. Both the Grand Military and Household Brigade meetings were lost for the next five years while the soldiers fought on the battlefields of World War I.
George’s service in the First World War saw him awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) in October 1914 for his leadership of the 2nd Battalion, Scots Guards in fighting. On August 25, 1916 he became commanding officer of the 172nd (21st South Lancashire) Brigade.
George’s service in the First World War saw him awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) in October 1914 for his leadership of the 2nd Battalion, Scots Guards in fighting. On August 25, 1916 he became commanding officer of the 172nd (21st South Lancashire) Brigade.
In June 1919 he was promoted to the substantive rank of lieutenant-colonel, being promoted to full colonel in 1922 and invested as a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (SMG).
In June 1919 he was promoted to the substantive rank of lieutenant-colonel, being promoted to full colonel in 1922 and invested as a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (SMG).
In February 1921 he married Alberta Diana Hunloke, daughter of Major Sir Philip Hunloke and Sylvia Heseltine.
In February 1921 he married Alberta Diana Hunloke, daughter of Major Sir Philip Hunloke and Sylvia Heseltine.
In December 1927 George was appointed as an equerry to King George V and Queen Mary. In 1930 he resigned and became an extra equerry, a position he held until July 1936. In August 1937 he became Groom in Waiting.
In December 1927 George was appointed as an equerry to King George V and Queen Mary. In 1930 he resigned and became an extra equerry, a position he held until July 1936. In August 1937 he became Groom in Waiting.
On November 12, 1943 he retired from the Army and was granted the honorary rank of brigadier-general. He was appointed Lord Lieutenant of Sutherland in March 1946.
On November 12, 1943 he retired from the Army and was granted the honorary rank of brigadier-general. He was appointed Lord Lieutenant of Sutherland in March 1946.
In June 1950 Brigadier-General Sir George Paynter was invested as a Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (KCVO). Sadly, he survived for just two months after receiving that honour, dying on August 15, 1950, aged 70.
In June 1950 Brigadier-General Sir George Paynter was invested as a Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (KCVO). Sadly, he survived for just two months after receiving that honour, dying on August 15, 1950, aged 70.
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