Lord Fermoy
1939 - 1984
1939 - 1984
Irish peer Edmund James Burke Roche, 5th Baron Fermoy, was born on March 20, 1939, the only son and youngest child of Maurice Roche, 4th Baron Fermoy and Ruth Sylvia Gill, a longstanding member of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother’s household.
Irish peer Edmund James Burke Roche, 5th Baron Fermoy, was born on March 20, 1939, the only son and youngest child of Maurice Roche, 4th Baron Fermoy and Ruth Sylvia Gill, a longstanding member of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother’s household.
He was educated at Eton and the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. He became the 5th Baron Fermoy on the death of his father in 1955. He served in the Royal Horse Guards.
He was educated at Eton and the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. He became the 5th Baron Fermoy on the death of his father in 1955. He served in the Royal Horse Guards.
Lord Fermoy rode in a few races under National Hunt rules and achieved by far his greatest triumph when winning the 1963 Grand Military Gold Cup on Baxier, taking the lead on the run-in to score by a length and a half. Baxier was trained in Ireland by Phonsie O’Brien, brother of Vincent.
Lord Fermoy rode in a few races under National Hunt rules and achieved by far his greatest triumph when winning the 1963 Grand Military Gold Cup on Baxier, taking the lead on the run-in to score by a length and a half. Baxier was trained in Ireland by Phonsie O’Brien, brother of Vincent.
The following season, Baxier won the Kerry National at Listowel and finished eighth behind Team Spirit in the 1964 Grand National, ridden on both occasions by Bill McLernon.
The following season, Baxier won the Kerry National at Listowel and finished eighth behind Team Spirit in the 1964 Grand National, ridden on both occasions by Bill McLernon.
After winning the Grand Military Gold Cup, Lord Fermoy only rode Baxier in one more race, when pulling up in a three-mile handicap chase at Thurles in February 1965. Baxier finished sixth in that year’s Grand Military Gold Cup when ridden by Lord Peter Beresford.
After winning the Grand Military Gold Cup, Lord Fermoy only rode Baxier in one more race, when pulling up in a three-mile handicap chase at Thurles in February 1965. Baxier finished sixth in that year’s Grand Military Gold Cup when ridden by Lord Peter Beresford.
Lord Fermoy subsequently sold Baxier, although the horse continued to be trained by Phonsie O’Brien and achieved several successes over the next five years – he was one of Ferdy Murphy’s early winners as a jockey. Baxier’s last win came as a 14-year-old at Killarney in July 1970.
Lord Fermoy subsequently sold Baxier, although the horse continued to be trained by Phonsie O’Brien and achieved several successes over the next five years – he was one of Ferdy Murphy’s early winners as a jockey. Baxier’s last win came as a 14-year-old at Killarney in July 1970.
Resident in England, Lord Fermoy was an elected member of Newbury District Council between 1976 and 1979. He was chairman of Eddington Bindery Ltd, based at the Fermoy family home near Hungerford, in Berkshire.
Resident in England, Lord Fermoy was an elected member of Newbury District Council between 1976 and 1979. He was chairman of Eddington Bindery Ltd, based at the Fermoy family home near Hungerford, in Berkshire.
He married Lavinia Elizabeth Pitman and they had four children, two sons and two daughters. They later divorced.
He married Lavinia Elizabeth Pitman and they had four children, two sons and two daughters. They later divorced.
Lord Fermoy’s sister Frances was the mother of Lady Diana Spencer, Princess of Wales. As the maternal uncle, he attended her wedding to the Prince of Wales in 1981.
Lord Fermoy’s sister Frances was the mother of Lady Diana Spencer, Princess of Wales. As the maternal uncle, he attended her wedding to the Prince of Wales in 1981.
After suffering from depression for a long period of time, Lord Fermoy committed suicide by gunshot at his home, Eddington House, Hungerford, on August 19, 1984. He was 45. His son Maurice became the 6th Baron Fermoy.
After suffering from depression for a long period of time, Lord Fermoy committed suicide by gunshot at his home, Eddington House, Hungerford, on August 19, 1984. He was 45. His son Maurice became the 6th Baron Fermoy.