Victor Le Fanu (serjeant-at-arms)

Sir George Victor Sheridan Le Fanu KCVO (25 January 1925 – 5 February 2007) was a British soldier who fought in World War II and served as the Serjeant-at-Arms of the House of Commons from 1982 to 1989.

Sir Victor Le Fanu
Serjeant-at-Arms of the House of Commons
In office
1982–1989
MonarchElizabeth II
Preceded bySir Peter Francis Thorne
Succeeded bySir Alan Urwick
Personal details
Born(1925-01-25)25 January 1925
Died5 February 2007(2007-02-05) (aged 81–82)
Military service
Allegiance United Kingdom
Branch/serviceBritish Army
Years of service1943 to 1963
RankMajor
UnitColdstream Guards
Battles/warsItalian campaign

Early life

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George Victor Sheridan Le Fanu was born on 24 January 1925.[1] Victor was the son of Major-General Roland Le Fanu DSO MC and Marguerite Le Fanu (née Lumsden).[1]

Le Fanu was educated at Shrewsbury School.[1]

Career

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Coldstream Guards

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Le Fanu left Shrewsbury School in 1943 to enlist in the Coldstream Guards.[2]

In 1943, he joined the Second Battalion as a platoon commander and fought with them for the duration of the Italian campaign.[2]

Le Fanu was wounded in action in July 1944.[3]

He served as an assistant adjutant at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst from 1949 to 1952.[1]

He returned to the Second Battalion as an adjutant from 1952 until 1955.[1]

House of Commons

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Le Fanu joined the House of Commons as the Deputy Assistant Serjeant-at-Arms in 1963, serving in this position until 1976.[1]

Le Fanu then served as Assistant Serjeant-at-Arms from 1976 to 1981.[1]

He became the Deputy Serjeant-at-Arms in 1981 to 1982.[1]

Le Fanu was appointed the Serjeant-at-Arms in 1982, and served in this position until his retirement in 1989.[1]

Retirement and death

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In retirement, Le Fanu served as the Chairman of Morley College from 1992 to 2000 and as a trustee of the Wall Trust from 1991 to 2003.[1]

Le Fanu died on 5 February 2007.

Personal life

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Le Fanu married Elizabeth Hall in 1956.[1]

Legacy

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Sir William McKay, the Clerk of the House of Commons from 1998 to 2002, described Le Fanu as "kind and courteous in all circumstances, but firm when he had to be".[3]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Le fanu, Sir (George) Victor (Sheridan)". Who's Who. 1 December 2016. doi:10.1093/ww/9780199540884.013.U24179. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
  2. ^ a b "Sir Victor Le Fanu". The Times. 9 March 2007. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
  3. ^ a b "Sir Victor Le Fanu". The Independent. 9 February 2007. Archived from the original on 17 August 2022. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
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