Sir

Harry Llewellyn

Bt CBE JP DL
Harry Llewellyn and Foxhunter at the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki.
Born
Henry Morton Llewellyn

(1911-07-18)18 July 1911
Aberdare, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales
Died15 November 1999(1999-11-15) (aged 88)
Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, Wales
Alma materTrinity College, Cambridge (M.A., 1937)
Spouse
Hon. Christine Saumarez
​
​
(m. 1944; died 1998)​
Children3, including David and Roderic
Parent
RelativesRhys Llewellyn (brother)
David Llewellyn (brother)
James Saumarez, 5th Baron de Saumarez (father-in-law)
Military career
Allegiance United Kingdom
Service/branch British Army
Years of service1939–1945
Rank Lieutenant colonel
UnitWarwickshire Yeomanry
Battles/warsSecond World War
Awards Legion of Merit[1]

Sir Henry Morton Llewellyn, 3rd Baronet, CBE, JP, DL (18 July 1911 – 15 November 1999) was a British equestrian champion. He was born the second son of a colliery owner, Sir David Llewellyn, 1st Baronet.

Background

A younger son, Llewellyn was second in line to inherit the baronetcy on the death of his father. He was educated at Oundle School and at Trinity College, Cambridge, before going into the army. He inherited the title on the death of his older brother, Sir Rhys Llewellyn, 2nd Baronet in 1978. His younger brother Sir David Llewellyn was a Conservative politician.

Early career

He achieved some success as a show-jumping champion during the 1930s, and competed in the Grand National steeplechase, coming second in 1936.

World War II

During World War II he saw action in Italy and after D Day in Normandy and served as a liaison officer to Field Marshal Montgomery, eventually rising to the rank of lieutenant colonel in the British Army. He was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1945 and Commander in 1953 for services to British International Show Jumping.

Olympic Gold Medal

Foxhunter's grave marker around which Llewellyn's ashes were scattered
Olympic medal record
Equestrian
Representing  United Kingdom
Gold medal – first place 1952 Helsinki Team jumping
Bronze medal – third place 1948 London Team jumping

After the war he concentrated on show jumping, buying Foxhunter in 1947 after a long search. The duo were part of the British team that competed in the team event at the 1948 Summer Olympics, winning the bronze medal. They captured the public imagination for their role in winning Great Britain's only gold medal at the 1952 Summer Olympics, in the team jumping equestrian event.[2]

Foxhunter and Llewellyn won 78 international competitions during their joint career. Llewellyn later served widely in the administration of British show jumping, and was knighted in 1977 before inheriting the Llewellyn Baronetcy upon the death of his brother.[2] His business activities, following the nationalisation of the coal industry in 1947, included interests in brewing and television. Following the 1952 Olympic win he set up a chain of cafes called Foxhunter.[3]

After Sir Harry's death, his ashes were scattered near Foxhunter's grave and memorial on the Blorenge mountain above Abergavenny.[3]

Family and personal life

Sir Harry Llewellyn lived at Llanfair Grange near Abergavenny in Monmouthshire. In 1990 he was inducted into the Welsh Sports Hall of Fame.

He was married to Christine Saumarez, a daughter of the 5th Baron de Saumarez. Their sons, Dai and Roddy, became well-known media personalities from the 1960s onward.

Notes

  1. ↑ Mosley, Charles, editor. Burke's Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage, 107th edition, 3 volumes. Wilmington, Delaware, U.S.A.: Burke's Peerage (Genealogical Books) Ltd, 2003.
  2. 1 2 Murphy, Genevieve (17 November 1999). "Sir Harry Llewellyn Bt" (obituary). The Independent. Archived from the original on 9 May 2022.
  3. 1 2 Butler, Eddie (25 May 2012). "Olympic torch route, day 7: Abergavenny's hero, a horse called Foxhunter". The Guardian.

References

  • databaseOlympics.com
  • Kidd, Charles, Williamson, David (editors). Debrett's Peerage and Baronetage (1990 edition). New York: St Martin's Press, 1990,
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