Jacob Pleydell-Bouverie, Earl of Radnor

Jacob Pleydell-Bouverie, Viscount Folkestone, was the eldest son of the 5th Earl of Radnor (1841-1900), a substantial landowner, former Conservative MP and leading Freemason. His mother, Helen Chaplin, was the sister of the 1st Viscount Chaplin, another leading Wiltshire landowning family. Viscount Folkestone succeeded his father as the 6th Earl of Radnor on 3 June 1900. His succession to the earldom terminated his career as Conservative MP for the Wilton division of Wiltshire; as a member of the House of Lords his principal public duty was to chair the Royal Commission on the Care and Control of the Feeble Minded (1904-8). His accession to the Lords did not sever his military connections, however. He had served with the 4th [Militia] Battalion Wiltshire Regiment in the South African War and became its CO on 23 March 1903.

He still occupied this post when the Great War broke out. 4th Battalion Wiltshire Regiment formed part of the 43rd (Wessex) Division TF. This formation was sent to India in October 1915. On arrival the division was broken up and its constituent battalions deployed on garrison duties in order to release Regular battalions for service in France.

Lord Radnor commanded 4th Wiltshire until March 1915, when he was promoted GOC Dehra Dun Brigade, 7th Meerut Divisional Area. He remained in command until 1917, when he returned to Europe as Director of Agricultural Production, BEF.