Selected Biography

Duke, Kenneth William Gordon – Born: Forfarshire, Scotland on 26.2.1898.  Parents: John Duke (Linen Manufacturer) and Agnes Beatrice Loudon [née Gordon].  Family Connections: Brother-in-law of Sir William Stephen Hyde Parker [b1892].  Home: Rosshill, Brechin, Angus, Scotland (1901), Melford Hall, Long Melford [1919], Duke Willey, Hexham, Northumberland (1939), Castle Cottage, Sawrey, Ambleside, Westmorland [1966].  Occupation: Deputy Inspector of Naval Ordnance (1939).  Married: Mary Stephanie Hyde Parker [d1953] of Long Melford in 1919 [see below for service details], and Joan E. Robinson in 1955.  Service Record: Kenneth Duke joined the Royal Navy as a Midshipman in 1914, by 1917 he had risen to Sub-Lieutenant serving on the light cruiser HMS Attentive and by 1939 held the rank of Commander.  Died: Ulverston, Cumbria on 12.4.1966.[1]

Notes – [1] Date of birth from his Royal Navy Officers Service Records [ADM 196/147].  See also his Medal and Award Rolls [ADM 171/89].  Marriage Register 25.10.1919 Holy Trinity Church, Long Melford.  Date of death from the National Probate Calendar.