‘Who’s going to break the news to Lara?’
‘I was hoping you would assist me. Naturally, we have to be very compassionate with her. You being present would be a comfort, I’m sure.’
‘So do you want to tell her now?’
‘I think that would be best, don’t you?’
‘Yes, I suppose so. I’m not looking forward to it I can tell you.’
‘Neither am I.’
‘I’ll go and fetch her.’
‘If you could please, Miss Forsyth.’
Lisbeth approached the kitchen where Lara was enjoying a glass of milk and chatting to the kitchen staff.
‘Lara darling, could I ask you to come with me please.’
‘Nanny I haven’t finished my milk yet, and Miss Lucy was telling me a funny story about her milking a cow.’
‘I’m sorry, but it’s important. You can finish your milk later.’
‘Oh, all right.’
Lara followed behind her nanny until they reached the library. Upon entering she saw Sir Horace standing in front of the fireplace.
‘Hello, Lara you can call me Sir Horace. Why don’t you sit next to your nanny on the sofa. We’ve got something to tell you.’
‘Is it a story? I love stories.’
‘No, I’m afraid it’s not a story. It’s about your mummy and daddy.’
‘They’re in America, but they’ll be home soon. I do miss them.’
‘Lara, I’m afraid Mummy and Daddy won’t be coming home. They both had a terrible accident,’ said Lisbeth.
‘No, they promised me they’d be home soon.’
‘Lara you know when we were playing in the garden today we found a little bird that had died?’
‘Yes, that was sad.’
‘Well Mummy and Daddy died in the accident just like that little bird. They’ve both gone to heaven.’
‘No, no! You’re lying! I don’t believe you.’
Lara jumped up from the sofa running out of the library and into the garden. Eventually, she stopped running and lay on the grass continuing to cry uncontrollably.
Lisbeth found the distraught little girl and sat next to her on the lawn she placed Lara’s head in her lap and consoled her.
‘It will be all right, darling. I’m here for you and Mummy and Daddy will always be watching over you. I know it’s hard to understand why God took them but he must have had a very special job He wanted them to do.’
‘I don’t care! I need them here with me. They promised me they’d be home soon. It’s not fair.’
Sir Horace decided to take his leave. He intended to speak with Lisbeth the following week about Lara’s future, and indeed her own. The solicitor had a reputation for being an insensitive lawyer but as he was driven out of the estate he felt quite sad for little Lara. He knew he would be partly responsible for her upbringing; he intended that she be given every opportunity in life.
Lara’s father was the Earl of Westmoreland and Julie, her mother, was an American doctor who married Harry (who was also a doctor) in 1929.
Julie’s maiden name was Doherty, a well-known naval family in the United States. Captain Joe Doherty, her father, was lost at sea on the Titanic in April 2012. Jack, her brother, graduated from West Point as a naval officer and served in the World War I where he was wounded.
During a long naval career, Jack was promoted several times including being appointed as a senior military officer attached to the American Embassy in Berlin before World War II.
Julie and Jack’s stepfather was Rear-Admiral Eugene Leutze.
All of Julie’s immediate family, including her mother, died in the explosion on Chesapeake Bay.
Harry’s parents, the Earl of Westmoreland and the Countess of Westmoreland died in a train crash when they were travelling to stay at the family’s estate Raby Castle, in Scotland.
A Sad Day in July
Chapter 3
London July 12
The memorial service was organised by the trust members with the assistance of several peers and friends of the couple. Harry, being an Earl, and Julie, being a Countess entitled them to the privilege of a service at Westminster Abbey.
It was held on 12 July with 300 mourners attending including the Prime Minister, Clement Attlee, several members of the House of Lords and members of the couple’s golf club, Burnham & Berrow. They were joined by many other friends and work colleagues.
Harry and Julie were both incarcerated in Changi Prison in Singapore during World War II. Several of their fellow prisoners attended the service.
One of the ex-Prisoners of War, Charlie Baker asked if he could speak.
‘The Earl and Countess de Neville, Harry and Julie, were an amazing couple; both doctors, both specialising in plastic surgery. Not to alter the nose shape of an actor or actress, but to help give our war veterans a new life by reshaping their faces and bodies after having had horrendous injuries inflicted on them during two world wars. I should know, I was one of them.
‘They could have had the good life in Britain, living in magnificent homes and being part of the social scene in London. They chose another direction, living in Singapore on the other side of the globe caring for our troops and their families.
‘With the fall off Singapore they were imprisoned in Changi suffering under the cruel rule of the Japanese. They both survived this horrendous chapter in our history only to die with their family in a tragic boating accident.
‘We will never forget them.’
Harry and Julie would have been placed in the family mausoleum at Brompton Cemetery if their remains had been recovered however, no remains were ever found. A plaque instead was placed there in memory.
Arlington July 12
Halfway across the world another memorial service was being held on the same day at Arlington National Cemetery for Tom, Peter, and Lucy who were all were part of the Doherty family, a family with a strong military background. More than two hundred mourners attended the service with a large contingent of military officers present.
Let Them Rest in Peace.
In God We Trust
Chapter 4
July 14 1948
Lisbeth woke at 6 am. She lay in her bed going over in her mind the questions she would put to Sir Horace; she knew the answers he gave would determine her decision. Putting on her dressing gown, she headed for the bathroom down the hall. Once dressed and made up she quietly climbed the ornate staircase leading to Lara’s bedroom. Lisbeth waited at the door to determine if Lara was awake, she heard no sound. Deciding to allow the little girl to sleep for a while longer, the nanny descended the stairs and walked to the large kitchen where the cook, Mrs Potter, was preparing breakfast.
‘Good morning Lucy,