Kate hears ‘sad stories’ of ancestors killed during First World War
The Duchess of Cambridge has heard the “sad stories” of three brothers from her family who were killed fighting during the First World War.
Kate was shown for the first time the original documents detailing the lives and deaths of the Lupton brothers – Francis, Maurice and Lionel – killed in France, including a postcard sent on the day one died.
The men were the siblings of Olive Middleton, Kate’s great-grandmother, who worked as a nurse with the Voluntary Aid Detachment during the war, and was married to Richard Middleton.
When shown an official letter from Buckingham Palace conveying the sympathy of King George V after the third brother had died, the duchess said: “I’m sure so many families had this type of letter and sad stories.”
This telegram from Noel Middleton to the family, informs that Francis’ body had been found.
“Bad News Francis Body Found Near Taylor’s Killed Instantaneously Bomb Saw Norman Yesterday And Grave In Churchyard” pic.twitter.com/G5zE6LgYse
— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) October 31, 2018
She also reacted to the brief telegram sent by her great-grandfather Richard Middleton, an Army officer, who wrote to his father-in-law saying Francis’ body had been found after he was killed instantaneously by a bomb during the Battle of the Somme.
Kate said: “It’s so bland, hardly any words.”
The family papers were donated by one of Kate’s distant relatives around a month ago and now form part of the Imperial War Museums’ documents archive.
The duchess toured the popular visitor attraction, which was full of school groups and parents with their children to see the documents and visit the First World War Galleries.
Anthony Richards, head of documents at the institution, said about the telegram: “It’s a very formal sort of brief way to give the family what is essentially terrible news that their loved one has been killed in action.
“You break someone’s heart in just a few words in a telegram.”
He added that Kate had known about the three brothers who fought and died for their country after one of her grandfathers had done some research about the trio.
Mr Richards said: “She was extremely interested in them, it’s always nice to have that family connection that helps you understand something like the First World War.”
