 Home | Background | Contacts | Membership | Research | Membership Events | Publications
Family Background The Beresford family has a history which stretches back in time further than most English families and our research into its history continues. Our pedigree and manorial rights are confirmed as far back as 1221 - the date of the earliest provable deed although family tradition tells us that the Beresford manor, one mile south of Hartington in the Derbyshire Dales, was created as a manor in 1087.
The family have included in their history a number of titles, several Archbishops, Bishops, Admirals and Generals, Judges, Members of Parliament and men of letters. Together with awards for gallantry and many sporting achievements it all helps to form a colourful and chequered historical backcloth to the House of Beresford. Simply by being a Beresford, you are playing an important role in the family's history. The more Beresfords that are aware of their connections the more they can, in turn, pass on to future generations. Despite much research there are still so many areas of our history awaiting discovery and a place in the tapestry of Beresford heritage. The enormity of the task requires the help of Beresfords worldwide. Only by working together and pooling all our knowledge - no matter how small - can we keep these vitally important activities alive and flourishing.
Hugh Richard Aden Beresford was born in 1915, the son of Rev Hans Aden Beresford whose family had held the living of Hoby in Leicestershire for nearly 200 years. A pupil of Rossall School in Fleetwood, Hugh was a keen sportsman and in his last year at Rossall was Captain of his House. He left school in 1934 and immediately joined the R.A.F. as a trainee officer. He left flying school in 1936 and was posted to No 3 Squadron at Kenley. After the outbreak of the Second World War Hugh married the daughter of a serving officer and by 1940 he was a man with everything to live for. On Saturday 7th September with the Battle of Britain at it's height Hugh and his section were flying over the Thames Estuary with the intention of stopping an invading force of 50 Messerschmitt 109's. But Hugh found he couldn't stop anyone because there was another Hurricane in his sight so he left the protection of the others and flew higher where he was discovered by four Messerschmitts. He radioed a warning then vanished - what became of him no one knew! In September 1979 a group of enthusiasts digging for aircraft remains in marshland on the Isle of Sheppey, Kent, discovered quite by accident Hugh's body, still in the cockpit of his Hurricane where it lay undisturbed for some 40 years. On 16th November 1979 Hugh was finally laid to rest at Brookwood Military Cemetery, Hampshire. An escort of the Queens Colour Squadron of the R.A.F. fired a salute as his remains were buried with full military honours. Help to preserve YOUR family heritage for future generations by joining us NOW
Copyright © 2006 [The Beresford Family Society]. All rights reserved. |
One particular member of the family, Thomas Beresford of Fenny Bentley, married Agnes Hassall and the marriage produced sixteen sons and five daughters. He is remembered by an ancient but famous alabaster tomb - which is still in a remarkably good state of repair to this day - in St Edmunds Church, Fenny Bentley, near Ashbourne in Derbyshire. Thomas - whose father John fought at the Battle of Agincourt in 1415 - raised a troop of horse comprising eight of his sons and their retainers for service in the French wars. It is from the sons of this Thomas that the present main branches of the family descend. John Simon Beresford, the present Head of the House of Beresford is the 27th Head of the Family. He is descended from Thomas's twelfth son, Hugh. The descendants of Thomas's fifth son, Robert are flourishing today both in England and abroad, whilst the descendants of Humphrey, Thomas's sixth son are represented in the branch headed by the Marquis of Waterford, who is the President of the Beresford Family Society.