Alice Edith Isaacs. Countess of Reading (ISA6829)

Synagogues

Name:

Spanish and Portuguese

Jewish Chronicle, 23 March 1926

RETURN FROM INDIA.
London's Enthusiastic Welcome.
TO BE CREATED A MARQUIS.
It was announced from 10, Downing Street, on Tuesday night, the King has been pleased to approve that the dignity of a Marquisate of the United Kingdom be conferred upon the Right HODU tli Karl of Reading, G.C.B., G.C.S.I., G.C.I.E., G.C.V.O., on the completion of his term of office as Viceroy and Governor-General of India.
On Tuesday night the Earl and Countess of Reading dined with the King and Queen, and stayed the night at Windsor Castle.
Lord Reading, on his arrival from India at Victoria last Saturday afternoon, received a most hearty welcome. Rarely has an ex-Viceroy of India returning to England after five years' service been accorded such an enthusiastic reception. '
Landing at Dover earlier in the afternoon, Lord and Lady Reading were met by Viscount and Viscountess Erleigh, their son and daughter-in-law and a few intimate relatives and friends, all of whom travelled with them to London by special train. On arrival at Victoria, the Royal waiting-room was opened for their reception. Within the platform enclosure, were Lord Colebrooke, representing the King and Queen; Sir Ronand Waterhouse and Mr. A. J. Sylvester, representing the Prime Minister and Mr. Lloyd George respectively; and the Earl of Secretary-of State for India. Others present were: The Right Hon. L. S. Amery, Secretary of State for the Dominions, Sir. Douglas Hogg, KC, MP., Attorney-General, Viscount Inchcape, Sir Walter Schwabe, formerly Chief Justice of Madras, Sir Robert and Lady Holland. Sir Claud and Lady Jacob, Sir Campbell Rhodes, Sir John Matthews, Sir Darcy Lindsay, Sir Reginald and Lady Mant, Sir David Yule, Colonel A. Bannerman, Mr. W. S. J. Wilson, a Member, of the Legislative Assembly of India; Mr. F. Oppenheimer, and Mr. Wilson Taylor, representing The Pilgrims’ Society, who will entertain Lord Reading on the 28th inst.
A large number of Indians were also among those who greeted Lord - Reading, a few of the ladies wearing the picturesque native Costume. A beautiful garland was presented to Lady Reading.
As soon as the train came to a standstill, amid the cheers of the welcoming crowd, Lord Reading stepped to the platform, where he was welcomed by Lord Colebrooke, who tendered the cordial greetings of the King and Queen. Lord Birkenhead was the next to express a welcome and then came the representatives of the Prime Minister and of Mr. Lloyd George. Lady Reading made her way around the circle of friends bearing the garland of bright flowers. Several minutes elapsed before the Earl and Countess were able to reach the Royal waiting-room.
Plans for the Future. Before leaving Victoria Lord Reading granted an interview to a representative of the press on the subject of his work during the last five years and his plans for the future. He said: I am very glad to be back in England, but I cannot pretend that I leave the scene of my recent labours without regret. To me the five years in India have been five great years, and if only my period of office has been of any sort of use to the Empire, to the country, and to the people of India I am more than satisfied . . . As to the future, it is too early to ask about my plans. For the moment I am glad to have nothing to do and nothing special to think about.
In regard to the health of Lady Reading, the ex-Viceroy said that fortunately she was very much better than when he came to England a few months ago. The former homeward journey, he said, was made at a very anxious time, and he and his wife were terribly distressed to receive en route the news of the death of his brother Godfrey. Lady Reading was very much better after her operation, but he thought she would still need to go slowly and to exercise some care.
Lord and Lady Reading then drove away. Outside the station they were received with another hearty welcome from the large crowd which had gathered. Cheer after cheer was given, and for a considerable part of the way home Lord and LadyReading were kept busy acknowledgint the plaudits of the crowd.
Freedom of the Cityfor Lord Reading
At a meeting of the Corporation of the City of London, held on Thursday in last week, it was decided to confer the Freedom of the City on Lord Reading in recognition of his distinguished services as Viceroy of India

Homefront

Occupation:

Viceregal Consort

Member of family in armed forces:

Husband, Rufus was the Viceroy of India

What was the impact of this:

Marchioness of Reading, G.B.E., C.I. She was the first wife of Rufus Isaacs, 1st Marquess of Reading, and the daughter of Albert Cohen, a merchant in the City of London. She became Baroness Reading on Rufus' ennoblement in 1914, Viscountess Reading in 1916, the Countess of Reading in 1917, and finally the Marchioness of Reading in 1926. In 1921, Lord Reading was appointed Viceroy of India. She accompanied him to India and, despite continuing poor health, served prominently as Viceregal Consort. She also threw herself into charitable work, particularly with Indian women and children. She established the Women of India Fund in 1921 and National Baby Week in 1923, as well as supporting many existing charities. In 1926 she campaigned to construct a standard hospital in Peshawar, in place of Agerton Hospital. The new hospital was subsequently named as Lady Reading Hospital. She later returned to England with her husband, and was appointed Dame Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire (GBE) in the 1920 civilian war honours and Companion of the Order of the Crown of India (CI) in March 1921, the latter being a traditional honour for the Viceregal Consort. She was awarded the Kaiser-i-Hind Medal in gold in 1924.

Gallery

1 of 4
Jewish Chronicle 23 April 1926
RETURN FROM INDIA. London's Enthusiastic Welcome. TO BE CREATED A MARQUIS. It was announced from 10, Downing Street, on Tuesday night, the King has been pleased to approve that the dignity of a Marquisate of the United Kingdom be conferred upon the Right HODU tli Karl of Reading, G.C.B., G.C.S.I., G.C.I.E., G.C.V.O., on the completion of his term of office as Viceroy and Governor-General of India. On Tuesday night the Earl and Countess of Reading dined with the King and Queen, and stayed the night at Windsor Castle. Lord Reading, on his arrival from India at Victoria last Saturday afternoon, received a most hearty welcome. Rarely has an ex-Viceroy of India returning to England after five years' service been accorded such an enthusiastic reception. ' Landing at Dover earlier in the afternoon, Lord and Lady Reading were met by Viscount and Viscountess Erleigh, their son and daughter-in-law and a few intimate relatives and friends, all of whom travelled with them to London by special train. On arrival at Victoria, the Royal waiting-room was opened for their reception. Within the platform enclosure, were Lord Colebrooke, representing the King and Queen; Sir Ronald Waterhouse and Mr. A. J. Sylvester, representing the Prime Minister and Mr. Lloyd George respectively; and the Earl of Secretary-of State for India. Others present were: The Right Hon. L. S. Amery, Secretary of State for the Dominions, Sir. Douglas Hogg, KC, MP., Attorney-General, Viscount Inchcape, Sir Walter Schwabe, formerly Chief Justice of Madras, Sir Robert and Lady Holland. Sir Claud and Lady Jacob, Sir Campbell Rhodes, Sir John Matthews, Sir Darcy Lindsay, Sir Reginald and Lady Mant, Sir David Yule, Colonel A. Bannerman, Mr. W. S. J. Wilson, a Member, of the Legislative Assembly of India; Mr. F. Oppenheimer, and Mr. Wilson Taylor, representing The Pilgrims’ Society, who will entertain Lord Reading on the 28th inst. A large number of Indians were also among those who greeted Lord - Reading, a few of the ladies wearing the picturesque native Costume. A beautiful garland was presented to Lady Reading. As soon as the train came to a standstill, amid the cheers of the welcoming crowd, Lord Reading stepped to the platform, where he was welcomed by Lord Colebrooke, who tendered the cordial greetings of the King and Queen. Lord Birkenhead was the next to express a welcome and then came the representatives of the Prime Minister and of Mr. Lloyd George. Lady Reading made her way around the circle of friends bearing the garland of bright flowers. Several minutes elapsed before the Earl and Countess were able to reach the Royal waiting-room. Plans for the Future. Before leaving Victoria Lord Reading granted an interview to a representative of the press on the subject of his work during the last five years and his plans for the future. He said: I am very glad to be back in England, but I cannot pretend that I leave the scene of my recent labours without regret. To me the five years in India have been five great years, and if only my period of office has been of any sort of use to the Empire, to the country, and to the people of India I am more than satisfied . . . As to the future, it is too early to ask about my plans. For the moment I am glad to have nothing to do and nothing special to think about. In regard to the health of Lady Reading, the ex-Viceroy said that fortunately she was very much better than when he came to England a few months ago. The former homeward journey, he said, was made at a very anxious time, and he and his wife were terribly distressed to receive en route the news of the death of his brother Godfrey. Lady Reading was very much better after her operation, but he thought she would still need to go slowly and to exercise some care. Lord and Lady Reading then drove away. Outside the station, they were received with another hearty welcome from the large crowd which had gathered. Cheer after cheer was given, and for a considerable part of the way home, Lord and LadyReading were kept busy acknowledging the plaudits of the crowd. Freedom of the City for Lord Reading At a meeting of the Corporation of the City of London, held on Thursday in last week, it was decided to confer the Freedom of the City on Lord Reading in recognition of his distinguished services as Viceroy of India
2 of 4
London Gazette
3 of 4
Tombstone, Hoop Lane Jewish Cemetery, Golders Green
4 of 4
Countess of Reading

Contact the Author

Any messages sent via this facility are not the responsibility of the WWTT site and are simply passed onto the account holder’s contact and not stored here. Should the author choose to reply to you, all further contact made will not be transmitted through the site but independently through your own email or the details you leave here.

SEND MESSAGE

Contact the Author

Please note that the recipient will be provided with the email address linked to your account, and any response will not be transmitted through the site but independently through your own email.