David and Frances

Dr J. Graham Jones ame Margaret Lloyd at Cerrig-y-Druidion in Denbigh- George died at her shire (while in a mad rush en route uses A. J. Sylvester’s beloved north Wales from Bron-y-de, his home at Churt, detailed diaries in the home Brynawelon, in Surrey, to Brynawelon, Cric- Criccieth on the cieth), and had to be informed of custody of the National morningD of 20 January 1941 after a his wife’s death by his friend Lord mercifully brief illness. Although Dawson of Penn, the esteemed Library of Wales to the couple had been semi-estranged royal physician, over the telephone. examine the tortuous for many years, spending only Dawson had told him softly, ‘Your relatively brief intervals in each wife died at twenty past ten this build-up to the marriage other’s company, usually dur- morning’. The situation was, in the ing the month of August, Lloyd words of Lloyd George’s Principal of Lloyd George and George was still devastated. Part Private Secretary A. J. Sylvester, Frances Stevenson at of his grief could be explained by ‘most pathetic. LG was broken and his unfortunate, tragic failure, he sobbed at the other end of the Guildford Registry attributable to exceptionally heavy telephone: I heard him. I expressed falls of snow across the country, to my deep grief for him; he sobbed, Office on 23 October reach the deathbed scene in time. “She was a great old pal”. I said, The old man had been forced to “You are very brave”, but he said: 1943. spend the previous night at a hotel “No, I am not”’.1

30 Journal of Liberal History 74 Spring 2012 David and Frances

The following day the London October 1931, and a close personal until after Lloyd George’s death in train was able to get through to friend to Megan Lloyd George, had March 1945. In her heart of hearts, Criccieth bearing their elder son rushed to Brynawelon as soon as Frances considered Sylvester vain, Richard, widely known as Dick, she had heard of Dame Margaret’s over-ambitious and touchy. Behind and his wife June, and their second death. The scenes she then saw had his back she would always laugh son Gwilym and his wife Edna. confirmed her view that the Lloyd at him and his voice which had a Members of the family were thus Georges were ‘a genuine circle, con- strong nasal twang overlaying a reunited in their profound grief. sisting of people who did not merely marked Staffordshire accent and his The immensely tragic and moving put up with each other, but were tendency to rub his hands together events of these days made a very genuinely fond of each other how- rather subserviently which made deep impression upon Sylvester, ever much they had to put up with’. him appear, in her view, a modern clearly an emotional man: ‘I shall Upon her arrival at Brynawelon, day Uriah Heep. Sylvester in turn never forget LG’s face when he ‘Lloyd George threw his arms about accused Frances of being prim, stiff, drew up in the Rolls Royce driven me, burst into tears and sobbed out and intent only on providing com- by Dyer. I have never seen anybody that he would never forget me com- fort for Lloyd George and personal looking so near death. His face ing at that moment’.3 self-seeking. was an awful colour. For the first Generally A. J. Sylvester was Dame Margaret’s funeral took time in my life I saw him wearing a extremely loyal to Lloyd George place just three days after her death woollen scarf’. Although there had whom he served devotedly, some- on Thursday, 23 January. A pri- long been an extremely deep rift times at considerable personal cost vate funeral service at Brynawelon between father and son, and Dick and sacrifice to himself, for more at 2 p.m. saw Lloyd George once had long considered that Lloyd than twenty-two years. He was more ‘overcome with grief and in George had treated his mother also most fond of Dame Margaret floods of tears’. Thereafter the cof- shamefully for decades, now, ‘LG who tended to take his side in fam- fin was borne the two miles from fell into Dick’s arms and sobbed. ily squabbles. He, in turn, was at Brynawelon to the Criccieth public Supported on the arms of his fam- pains for the rest of his life to try ceremony on a simple traditional ily he boarded the train and went to ensure that she was given the farm wagon, pulled by sixty-five to sleep’. Only Sylvester and their attention and respect which, he felt members of the Criccieth home son-in-law Sir Thomas Carey- convinced, she deserved. He also guard, each of whom was carry- Evans, himself a medical man too enjoyed a reasonable rapport with ing an individual wreath. All shops and married to their second daugh- Megan. With Frances Stevenson, and private houses had their blinds ter Olwen ever since 1917, felt suf- however, Sylvester’s relationship tightly pulled down along the ficiently composed and in control to was at best uneasy. In her view, he route taken by the funeral proces- go to see the body of Dame Marga- had displayed an enormous van- sion.4 Lloyd George, still sobbing, ret lying in her coffin: ‘She looked ity when he had dictated to Lloyd rode behind the farm wagon with very peaceful. LG did not see her. I George that he must be known as his two sons, his younger brother do not think he has ever seen death: ‘Principal Private Secretary’ as William George and ‘little David’, I learn that he did not even see part of the deal when he had re- the elder son of Major Gwilym Mair. Neither did Dick or Gwilym joined Lloyd George’s staff in 1923. Lloyd George, still only ten years see her’. A little later Sylvester met Frances, recognising that he would of age. At the cemetery there were Megan Lloyd George in the hall at undoubtedly be a useful asset as to be no women mourners. The Brynawelon – ‘She just fell into an addition to LG’s personal staff, sheer poignancy of the scene was my arms. The scenes I witnessed had magnanimously shrugged increased by the fact that Dame between members of the family her shoulders and did not quibble. Margaret was to be buried in the were most pathetic’.2 Thelma Caza- But a latent, simmering antago- Left: Frances same grave as their eldest (and let, the Conservative MP for the nism between the two persisted, and David Lloyd favourite) daughter Mair Eluned, Islington East constituency since although it was somewhat masked George in 1943 who had died at the family home at

Journal of Liberal History 74 Spring 2012 31 david and frances

Routh Road, London, at just sev- 1941 would inevitably prove short- The death native village of Llanystumdwy enteen years of age back in Novem- lived and largely cosmetic. For which he had bought, together with ber 1907 after a failed operation to years on end she had deeply resented of Dame some forty acres of agricultural treat a burst appendix. At the time the fact that she had had to leave land, shortly before the outbreak her father had been the President of Bron-y-de, Churt each time Dame Margaret of the war in September 1939. The the Board of Trade under Sir Henry Margaret or Megan had decided to property had already been exten- Campbell-Bannerman. Subse- go there. Such a scenario she was Lloyd George sively reconstructed and modern- quently Mair’s simple grave had just no longer prepared to tolerate. ised, and orchards had been planted been turned into a Lloyd George The battle lines were being drawn. potentially on eight acres of the land containing family vault, crowned by a majes- As Sylvester put it in rather exag- no fewer than three thousand trees. tic sculpture of a teenage girl exe- gerated language in early Febru- meant a Frances clearly subjected the ailing cuted by Sir W. Goscombe John, ary, ‘The fight is ON, not only with wholly old man to considerable pressure. monumental sculptor par excel- Germany, but between Frances and ‘She either does not realise or does lence at the beginning of the twen- the family’.6 cataclysmic not care that this puts him in great tieth century. This vault was now Within just two days of Dame difficulties. For him to go to stay at re-opened for the first time thirty- Margaret’s funeral, Lloyd George change for Ty Newydd would be just another three years later as Dame Margaret had told Megan (who had inherited damn fool thing amongst many was finally laid to rest. ‘LG, stand- Brynawelon absolutely under the her hus- which he has done lately. It would ing between Dick and Gwilym, terms of her mother’s will) rather be the talk of the constituency, trembled and sobbed, but bore tactlessly that he could no longer band. He especially if she went with him his grief bravely. Dame Margaret afford to continue to pay her an which is what I think she is after’. would have been delighted if she allowance towards the upkeep had always Moreover, whenever Megan or could have seen the whole setting. of the property as he had previ- Olwen now visited Churt, Frances I have been to many important ously done. In Sylvester’s percep- assumed stubbornly refused to budge from funerals, none was so impressive as tive words, ‘Yet he is spending a the house, and she also began to this’.5 On the mountainside nearby fortune in having all sorts of peo- that he was squander Lloyd George’s money, stood Mynydd Ednyfed Fawr, the ple around him who do not earn for example on hiring a private car farm where Maggie had been born a fraction of their salaries’. Meg- likely to pre- to take her daughter Jennifer to her on 4 November 1864 and where she an’s intense annoyance was even school at Bakewell. As she herself had spent much of her childhood exceeded by that of the family’s decease his put it neatly to Sylvester, ‘Things and youth. Welsh housekeeper Sarah Jones are different now: I have had a lot The death of Dame Margaret who had constantly backed Lloyd wife who had to put up with for years’. The idea Lloyd George potentially meant a George in family disagreements been almost of marriage was already in the air. wholly cataclysmic change for her for more than four decades. Now ‘I can only suspect that that is what husband. He had always assumed she vowed that she would never two years his she is after, as when she and Eve- that he was likely to predecease condescend to speak to him again.7 lyn [Sylvester’s wife] were on their his wife who had been almost two Megan’s intense grief was further junior and way home from America, she said years his junior and in robust health. increased by her recent split from that LG had promised to marry Now the unthinkable had actually her long-term lover the Labour in robust her if anything should happen to happened, and LG’s major link with MP Philip Noel-Baker, a wrench- Dame M. Yes, but there seemed lit- his Welsh roots and with his con- ing experience which she had cer- health. tle chance of anything happening stituency base had been suddenly tainly felt very deeply and of which then! LG is always loudest in his removed. Also he was well aware her father knew nothing. The very criticisms and statements when the that, decades earlier, he had given same month their local GP at Cric- thing is not likely to happen’.9 his word to his private secretary, cieth Dr Rees Prytherch intimated By March Sylvester could record mistress and confidante Frances to A. J. Sylvester that Lord Dawson that ‘LG is insisting on Frances Stevenson that, if he ever found had informed him of his convic- showing herself about the house at himself a free man, he would, after tion that Lloyd George was already Bron-y-de when Megan is there. a decent interval had elapsed, make suffering from a growth in the Looks as if LG and Frances are an honest woman of her. Frances bowel, likely to prove malignant, trying to drive her away’. About a might well now be willing to bide as well as dangerously high blood month later Megan had personally her time, but she was certainly not pressure: ‘He might go off at any telephoned Sylvester from Churt to prepared to give up the prize which time, or he might live a number of inform him that she felt ‘very fed up. was at long last within her grasp. years. I said that I had made up my She said that her Father was behav- For thirty years she had grudgingly mind that he would never again ing very peculiarly’. Sylvester went played the role of the perpetual mis- take office and was not fit for it. on to record the same day that the tress, obliged to make herself scarce Prytherch agreed’.8 old man was ‘not on speaking terms each time her love rival Dame Mar- At the beginning of February at the moment with Olwen who is garet came out of Wales. She had Lloyd George duly returned to at Brynawelon’. Megan meanwhile long craved respectability, a sta- Bron-y-de, Churt. He was pres- had caught sight of Frances in the tus – and a wedding ring. And she surised by Frances Stevenson not house at Churt so that ‘as a result was certainly not now prepared to to continue subsidising the bills for she did not speak to her Father the back down, regardless of the feel- Brynawelon, but rather to use his whole weekend and just snubbed ings of the Lloyd George family. resources on renovating and mod- him’. The timing of the quarrel was Frances’s apparent sympathy for ernising Ty Newydd, the farm- indeed most unfortunate, as Thelma them in their tragic loss in January house situated on a hill behind his Cazalet had only just suggested to

32 Journal of Liberal History 74 Spring 2012 david and frances

Lloyd George that he should give perhaps go to live at Ty Newydd he expected that Llanystumdwy Megan an annual allowance of with Frances. Then we shall have had contributed most of that sum, £2,000. Problems were mounting some fun’.11 ‘including Ty Newydd’. ‘At this as Megan simply did not have a suf- By the beginning of the follow- remark Megan’s face set like a ficient personal income to meet the ing year – 1942 – the relationship piece of chiselled marble. She said running costs of Brynawelon. She between father and daughter had not a word. There was silence. LG also had a cottage at Chesham in the become a little less frosty. In the understood’. Feelings ran especially Chiltern Hills in Buckinghamshire spring the question of the marriage high in the area at the time because for which her father still continued was back on the agenda. Frances had it was known that William Jones, to pay the weekly rent of £5-5s-0d. asked A. J. Sylvester, confidentially, who was acting as the manager of Further problems were arising from to send her details of the procedure the Ty Newydd farm, and his wife Lloyd George’s request to the dis- for marriage in a Baptist chapel – had recently visited Lloyd George at tinguished Welsh architect Clough totally unknown to Lloyd George. Bron-y-de, Churt and had returned Williams-Ellis to assess Ty Newydd The old man had been talking about home with ‘“instructions” to get and then prepare a professional resigning his seat in the House of the place ready for Easter as LG was report on ‘what is required to make Commons and possibly accepting going to stay there “with someone it habitable during war time with a a peerage and going to the House else”’. The news had then spread view to LG going to live there when of Lords. Frances assured Sylvester around Criccieth like wildfire as he goes to Wales’. Commented Syl- that he personally would cer- a wagon of furniture arrived at vester, ‘That will start a row to be tainly not lose out materially in the Ty Newydd. ‘If LG takes Frances sure and some talk in the constitu- event of such an eventuality. Lloyd and Jennifer to Ty Newydd there ency. And all this at a time when LG George, still generally pessimistic will be an unholy row. Megan will has agreed to make a special garden and defeatist about the allied war regard it as an insult to the memory at Brynawelon to the memory of effort, was talking about the desir- of her Mother, and Megan tells me Dame Margaret’.10 ability of making a negotiated peace that not even Gwilym would tol- The relationship between settlement with Hitler and even erate that. But happily the place Megan and her father was evidently thought that he himself might still is not ready, so he cannot go to Ty rapidly deteriorating, a newfound be called on to form a new govern- Newydd for Easter’.14 tension born of Frances’s remain- ment to achieve this. No one really Frances had already told her ing at Churt during the weekends. took this seriously.12 daughter Jennifer that she and On 24 April Sylvester recorded ‘a The old man had certainly aged Lloyd George were to be married, terrific row in progress between ever more rapidly since the death of and quite innocently the twelve LG and Megan. … Megan saw Dame Margaret, he almost always year old girl had asked him when [Frances] there the other day, and looked very pale, and his leonine the wedding ceremony was likely as a consequence just ignored her like head and neck had shrunk to take place: ‘Taid [Lloyd George] Father and refused to speak to him. considerably. Frances undoubtedly roared with what sounded like very She has had nothing to do with The rela- feared that he might well be try- embarrassed laughter at my ques- him since and stays at her cottage at ing to get out of marrying her, a tion, and said something fairly non- Chesham’. There was further fric- tionship course which members of the Lloyd committal. … I suspect that LlG tion between father and daughter George family would all certainly would have been not unwilling to over Lloyd George’s demands that between have applauded: ‘We probably continue with the status quo with- payments for secretarial support expected them to continue living as out my intervention. (I think I may now had to be reduced and over Megan before’.13 Did Lloyd George himself have asked Frances first, and that his insistence that furniture should also hope, in his heart of hearts, that she suggested I asked Taid.)’.15 It is not be removed from the family and her Frances would be happy to carry on clear that by this time Lloyd George home at Victoria Road, London – as before? Did he also hope that her was becoming increasingly unstable ‘She flew right off the handle and father was long, passionate affair with Colonel psychologically and was certainly said that no one would prevent T. F. Tweed back in the late 1920s not in a position to assume govern- her taking things which had been evidently had somehow negated his pledge mental office. He was constantly given to her by her Mother which to her? Possibly he felt that his accusing Frances of becoming inti- were her own property’. Megan’s rapidly dete- mistress, who had herself become mately involved with other men. annoyance knew no bounds – ‘He a mother in October 1929, might On the evening of 28 April Frances is fussing and bothering about lit- riorating, a in consequence be less concerned had telephoned A. J. Sylvester at tle things which he ought not to about getting married. his home – ‘Don’t you think he is bother his head about. To think of newfound Before the end of March Lloyd awful? He is trying to get some all that brilliance, all those talents, tension born George had taken lunch at the grievance against me. He is in that all those gifts, just going to seed, House of Commons with Megan, mood just now. He is crazy. Does because that is what they will do, of Frances’s Gwilym and A. J. Sylvester. After not seem to be satisfied unless quar- with a lot of women around him, lunch Megan had shown her relling. He was better, but now he fussing him, making an old man of remaining father a telegram which she had is bad again. It is so upsetting. You him. It is the most pathetic thing I recently received from a Mr Lam- feel you are guilty all the time. have seen’. The question of finan- at Churt bert, the organiser of Criccieth People get the idea that he is unreli- cial support to meet the running Warships Week, noting that the able. One day he is telling Hankey expenses of Brynawelon was an during the Criccieth area alone had raised to turn Winston out; next day he is especially thorny issue. ‘I think he some £70,000 for the cause. Lloyd lunching with Winston. Cripps has will be up to his monkey tricks and weekends. George responded by noting that no use for him. I think Cripps sized

Journal of Liberal History 74 Spring 2012 33 david and frances

LG up at those talks they had before ‘I have seen seen LG in many a wangle’, wrote autumn. At the end of October he went to Russia. He is so selfish Sylvester at the beginning June, ‘but Frances told Sylvester, ‘It’s as I and jealous. It never occurs to him LG in many never one like this. He is playing a thought, he wants to wait for two to ask himself: “What job of work very deep game between Megan years for the sake of appearances. can I do?”. But he won’t do any- a wangle’, and Frances. One of them must be After that I do not think LG will thing except develop quarrels with disappointed one day’.19 bother about Megan. I suggested any one’.16 wrote Syl- Before the end of the month to him that he should get Dawson Megan’s totally intransigent atti- he was recording in his diary the to see her [Megan] and talk to her tude clearly remained the primary vester at the opinions of George Dyer, Lloyd when it is settled. LG thought it stumbling block to the proposed George’s chauffeur, who now was a very excellent idea. It would marriage. Nervous, Frances asked beginning believed that Frances had ‘com- save LG a lot of unpleasantness and Sylvester to act as a go-between and June, ‘but pletely changed. She is terribly Dawson could put it on medical test the waters: ‘I would like to jog mean and greedy and has turned grounds’. Three weeks later Syl- it on a bit. I think I am perfectly jus- never one absolutely against him [Dyer] for vester took tea with Lord Dawson tified in taking things into my own some reason which he cannot imag- at the House of Lords and warned hands. Everybody is expecting it like this. ine’. Dyer had firm evidence that him of Carey-Evans’s conjecture in the neighbourhood’. Sylvester, she was regularly diverting some of about Lloyd George’s irregular also afraid of upsetting Megan, He is play- the coke supply intended for Bron- bowel movements. Dawson, fear- demurred and decided first to y-de to her own cottage Avalon. ing the existence of a growth, felt approach Olwen to see how the land ing a very There was also considerable fric- that LG should be pressed to have now lay within the Lloyd George tion between Frances and Mrs Ben- an x-ray – ‘He felt that if LG’s family.17 Another rather under- deep game nett, the housekeeper at Bron-y-de health were in doubt that would hand tack adopted by Frances was ‘because Miss Stevenson interferes strengthen the case for the mar- to invite Megan’s old friend Thelma between with the domestic staff and is so riage. He thought Frances had a case Cazalet to lunch at the Savoy Hotel, mean to them’. There were other and that she would marry him even London, and request her to inform Megan and bones of contention too – Frances on LG’s deathbed’. But Dawson also Megan of the impending marriage: was making regular use of Lloyd pointed out ‘the likely unfavour- ‘No ambassador can ever have been Frances. One George’s car to run personal errands able reactions round Criccieth’ to charged with a more uncongenial and to ferry her family members news of the marriage, while Megan mission’. Thelma, too, was hesitant, of them must from place to place, including her ‘might just break off entirely with but eventually agreed to approach elderly parents. Her younger sister her Father’. Days later Lloyd George Megan if Olwen was also in attend- be disap- Muriel Stevenson had been quietly discussed the proposed marriage ance, but, predictably, ‘The inter- pointed one added to the Bron-y-de estate pay with his second son Major Gwi- view was as unpleasant as I feared. roll ‘as a land worker to prevent lym Lloyd-George, the Minister Megan’s relations with her father day’. her being called up, but she does of Fuel and Power in the wartime had been specially close – almost precious little work’. The surplus coalition government, subsequently telepathic’.18 In Megan’s obsessive, money from the sale of eggs on the reporting dejectedly to Frances that almost paranoid mind, the question estate was also being pocketed by his son ‘was not very favourable. of the marriage had become inexo- Muriel, while Dyer was chauffeur- Gwilym had said that it would not rably entwined with the proposed ing Frances willy-nilly from place be popular with the people of Cric- move to Ty Newydd, where she had to place although petrol was in woe- cieth. Megan would not accept it recently seen the furniture arrive. fully short supply during war-time. either’. Clough Williams-Ellis had rather Sylvester summed up, ‘All this talk Lloyd George tried valiantly tactlessly showed Megan a plan of has left a very bad impression upon to renege on his pledge to marry the reconditioned property and my mind. If she marries LG, how Frances, now arguing that ‘the pre- the rooms which it contained. She long will it be before she interferes sent circumstances were all right: had arranged to see Lord Dawson in the wider sphere and perhaps it suited him all right, so why alter on 8 May. Three days later Frances works against me? I have never it?’. Enraged by LG’s backtrack- reported to Sylvester that Lloyd trusted her TOO MUCH. She has a ing, Frances took pains to remind George had become ‘very worried very sweet smile, and a very engag- him ‘of the chances she had had to about Megan. He wants to buck her ing manner, but my Heavens she’s be married which she had given up’ up and get her out of this mood. He HARD! Look at her face. (And I for his sake. Lloyd George had just is afraid that if she becomes worse, have a memory: that in 1932 my retorted sharply, ‘That is all done it may become chronic. … He does revelation of she and Tweed to LG with’, and Frances had insisted, not mind quarrelling with her, but at his blunt request)’.20 ‘Honourable people think you he does not like her being ill’. Lloyd By the high summer of 1942 should do it’. LG had simply said, George had tried to diffuse the situ- Frances had begun wearing a ring ‘There are no honourable people’. ation by assuring Megan that ‘he sporting a large single diamond He had been much swayed by warn- would not do anything without first on her engagement finger. There ings from Gwilym that ‘the people’ talking to she and Gwilym’. The seemed, however, to be something would be ‘critical’ of the marriage. whole issue was becoming bogged of a rapprochement between Lloyd Sylvester had warned Frances ‘that down in some confusion and uncer- George and Megan, although the it looked to me as if LG was trying tainty. In order to play for time and former still stubbornly refused to to get out of it: at any rate, he had to save his own skin, Lloyd George give any kind of lead to the nation a game on’. Frances was not, how- was constantly trying to reassure in wartime. The question of the ever, to be put off, instructing the both Frances and Megan. ‘I have marriage again resurfaced in the ubiquitous Sylvester to establish the

34 Journal of Liberal History 74 Spring 2012 david and frances difference between a church wed- Frances telephoned me tonight he calls ‘divided and conflict- ding by special licence and a regis- after 10 p.m. She had had an ing loyalties’. But she does not try office wedding by civil law. The interview with Lord Dawson understand. There is only one matter dragged on, Frances tell- this afternoon at 3 p.m. She person who matters, and that is ing Sylvester on 26 November, ‘I said he was very nice and very loyalty to herself.24 told him [Lloyd George] the other kind. He has seen Megan again day that if it was not soon settled I and he says she is irreconcil- What was still generally unknown should go mad’. On the last day of able. I think she must have gone to everyone in the family circle the month, while Megan was stay- there yesterday evening. He (except possibly to her sister Olwen) ing at Bron-y-de for the weekend, said he had thought after his was that Megan was at an emotional Frances had said to Lloyd George, first interview he might be able crisis point because of the break-up ‘I cannot go on like this. It is very to do something, but he realises of her relationship with her married humiliating to me to go out the now that nothing he says makes lover Philip Noel-Baker the year moment Megan comes’. Lloyd any impression. She just goes before. In so doing, she had adhered George, sympathetic, replied, ‘I round and round and just comes faithfully to her mother’s wishes. must do something about it’. back to this one thing – HER Philip for his part had resolutely Frances was encouraged by MOTHER. refused to leave his wife Irene – the Lloyd George’s solicitor John Mor- She said repeatedly that if this only scenario which would have ris to leave him to reflect for a thing happened [the marriage of enabled Megan to have had a happy while and then to come to a deci- her father to Frances Stevenson] ending with him. Now her father, sion. Morris had informed her that that her relations with him were it seemed, was going to achieve Gwilym was generally ‘friendly FINISHED, and her life would that happiness in his last days by disposed’ to the idea of the mar- be finished. Apart from that, marrying his long-term mistress riage, but, ‘LG was afraid of Megan. of course, he says there is abso- who had made Dame Margaret The actual snag was Criccieth. As lutely no reason why it should unhappy literally for decades. In LG did not often go to Criccieth, not go forward. There would the words of Ffion Hague, ‘Megan’s he recommended her not to press be some criticism, including the grief, disappointment and hatred of going to live there. The question of re-opening of the criticism about Frances made her unpredictable and her social position would be greatly the treatment of ‘the old girl’. volatile’. 25 jeopardised by William George’s He said that to me. Some people, Lloyd George was to celebrate position. William George’s name he said, think LG did wrong; his eightieth birthday on 17 Janu- stinks in Criccieth’. Frances had but Dawson said that would ary 1943, potentially a high-profile replied, ‘I cannot take action. LG not matter very much. For the occasion when journalists and pho- is an old man; I do not like to bring people who would criticise him tographers were to be invited to pressure on him’.21 another lot would say he was Bron-y-de to interview and take On 3 December Megan had a doing the right thing. He did not pictures of the octogenarian for- private meeting with Lord Daw- set much store upon that. mer prime minister and survey his son to discuss her father’s marriage Gwilym would not stand expansive estate and its produce. A plans. Within days, apparently, in the way. Dawson knows LG private family luncheon was also Lloyd George had put his foot wants it. He said there is no to be held at the house to mark the down that, in the event of Megan doubt that it would be a worry auspicious and symbolic milestone. visiting Bron-y-de at any point in to him for Megan to behave like The press indeed displayed great the future, Frances was always to that. In that case, I shall just sit The matter interest in reporting the occasion. remain at the house. Never again back and allow him to decide. I On 15 January Lady Olwen Carey- would she make herself scarce.22 shall not bring any more pressure dragged on, Evans telephoned A. J. Sylvester for The following day Frances tel- to bear, but I shall feel very bit- advice about attending the birth- ephoned Sylvester: ‘Frances said ter about it. I gave Dawson my Frances tell- day party at Bron-y-de, now only LG wondered what Megan’s atti- views. He agreed with my point two days away – ‘I said that noth- tude would be. She might say to her of view. I told LG all this, and of ing Sylvester ing and no one ought to stop she and Father: As long as you do not marry course he is going to turn against Megan going to Churt on Sunday I will speak to you; but, on the her. Oh, yes, I can see that has on 26 Novem- and greeting their Father on his other hand, the moment it is done I happened already. He does not ber, ‘I told 80th birthday, whether Frances Ste- shall have nothing to do with you. like to be crabbed. The first thing venson was there or not. If neither “On the other hand, if she would he said was: ‘Well, she will not him [Lloyd of LG’s daughters were present, agree not to break off relations with come down here again’. Once he would be able to point to the him, that is as much as he wants”. I they start that they will soon get George] the fact that they had both neglected am very glad she is not coming this at loggerheads. I think he will him upon a most important occa- weekend. I am not going to clear leave her severely alone. You other day sion. If he should die in his sleep out again for her. LG said to me last cannot talk to her like a normal on Sunday night, and they had not time, “When Megan comes again, being: she does not understand. that if it was been to see him, how great would you must avoid going away”. They She is not a normal woman. be their remorse. I said I had never hate it with her here. There is noth- She has this mixture of sex and not soon set- behaved generously in a case of ing natural about it and everybody religion which creates the most doubt when I had had occasion says it is so quiet’.23 extraordinary obsession in her. tled I should to regret my action. Olwen later On 11 December she rang him Dawson tried to explain to her spoke to Lord Dawson, who gave again: her Father’s difficulties – what go mad’. her similar advice’. Sylvester then

Journal of Liberal History 74 Spring 2012 35 david and frances discussed matters with Frances Ste- distinct impression that the mar- gesture and make it generously venson, and ‘an instruction’ came riage plans had been dropped, in the and you will never regret it.29 to hand from Lloyd George that hope that Megan would then more ‘he would be pleased to see Olwen readily attend the birthday lunch. Megan had attended the birthday and her family and Megan, but it Megan had still vacillated, but had lunch believing that Frances had was understood that Frances would been won around, it would seem, by by now renounced the idea of mar- be there too’. Following this, Sir a long letter from Lord Dawson on riage, but this was soon to be proved Thomas and Lady Olwen Carey- 15 January: totally erroneous. Frances was still Evans decided to travel to Churt.26 determined to press ahead. On the day of the birthday, The birthday would seem to The family feuds inevitably a large number of newspapers offer an opportunity for a ges- persisted. The evening following carried long features on Lloyd ture because other members of the luncheon on 19 January, Lady George’s political career, most the family will be going down Olwen Carey-Evans telephoned notably the Sunday Express which, [and] there will be the occasion Sylvester to say that she had expe- in an article entitled ‘He saved us to carry off any difficulties. And rienced ‘a terribly difficult time last time; today he is 80’ by Bever- if the gesture were made it can- with Megan on Sunday night when ley Baxter, published an extensive not be doubted it would make a they got back. She cried inces- interview with him.27 The family great difference to your father’s santly. “Megan could not get over indeed duly assembled for lunch at comfort and happiness. If you the fact that she had been disloyal Bron-y-de as previously arranged make the gesture, as I hope you to Mummy. She said she would not ‘on the strict understanding that will, it must be warm and really go down [to Bron-y-de, Churt] ever Frances would also be present’, friendly in its quality. It need not again”’. When Sylvester interjected and it must have been a consider- last long, but you could make the that Megan ‘was very friendly with able strain on her to fulfil for the short time Miss S. was there an her Father today’, Lady Olwen first time the role of hostess of the occasion and then as it would be a replied, ‘Yes, but Megan is not house and to receive many mem- family party she would probably the same when Miss Stevenson is bers of the Lloyd George family go from the room on her own. about. I do not know what we can there en masse. Recorded A. J. Now I want you to listen to do about it now. I suppose we shall Sylvester, ‘This is the first time me. I both understand and sym- have to put up with it. Megan has the family as a whole have been pathise with your feelings and won hands down with the other there with Frances’. The elder especially those which surround thing, and we have to consider that’. grandchildren were serving in the your mother’s memory, but I am Pressed by Sylvester to explain this armed forces and thus unable to sure she would wish nothing but cryptic reference, Lady Olwen get leave to attend the celebrations. that the evening of your father’s continued, ‘Father has told Megan On their arrival, Lady Olwen, Sir life should be made as smooth as again definitely that he won’t marry Thomas and their son known as possible. He is in need today of her (Miss Stevenson)’. Rather taken Bengy within the family circle physical care and is likely in this aback by what he knew full well to had greeted Frances cordially and respect to become more depend- be wholly untrue, Sylvester asked politely shaken hands with her. ent in the future. Miss S. fills this Megan had her again, ‘Are you sure he has told Megan had ‘simply ignored her’. role and there is no one else at her that again and recently?’, Lady They had all taken lunch together, once fitted available and accept- attended Olwen still insisted, ‘Yes. If I can but Frances had tactfully taken her able for this duty. do anything to help him now that leave for certain periods, and the If it be a fact that what you the birth- he has promised not to do the big family photographs and the toast feared is off, as it appears to be, thing, I want to help him as much as had pointedly not included her. At it must in justice be said she has day lunch I can. I am sorry for Megan because tea Olwen had sat next to Frances, now made a great sacrifice and she is in a difficult position. I have with Megan seated ‘some distance from what she has said to me I believing got a husband and children, but she away’. Later on, a telegram in the think she has made things easy has nobody. She must, of course, Welsh language had arrived from and put aside the bitterness of that Frances make her own life, and stand on her Criccieth. Frances asked Megan if her disappointment. … You are own. Megan said she would never the sender was known to her, but not called upon to be a friend but had by now forgive Father for having Miss Ste- Megan had responded by ‘turning only to be kindly, in the way you venson there’.30 her back on Frances and powder- understand so well, when you renounced A week after the eightieth birth- ing her nose!’. There was general meet her in the capacity as a nec- day celebrations Frances Stevenson relief, however, on all sides that the essary helpmate for your father the idea of contacted A. J. Sylvester yet again: celebrations had taken place ‘with- today. marriage, out any open breach’, but, when Knowing that you were Frances phoned me tonight to Megan Lloyd George had returned brought up as a Christian there but this see if there were any news. I at to Du Cane Road, the house can be no question that you once tackled her on the question owned by Sir Thomas and Olwen should make this gesture. … For was soon to whether she was quite satisfied Carey-Evans in London, ‘She just it is a matter of Christian char- that LG had not made any new cried her eyes out, saying that she ity for your father’s sake. He has be proved and definite promise to Megan, could never forgive her Father’.28 changed his intention mainly for that he would not marry. Frances Not wishing to annoy his you. From my deep attachment totally answered that she was quite cer- younger daughter more than was to you I do urge you on the next tain he had not done so. (I am not necessary, Lloyd George gave the suitable occasion to make that erroneous. at all convinced of this: Olwen

36 Journal of Liberal History 74 Spring 2012 david and frances

told me definitely he had so It is ridicu- [Sylvester’s wife] has always said many for her when it comes to the promised Megan, but I am not that LG will never marry Frances. I point’.35 going to be repeated as having lous’. wonder if she is not right?’.32 Six weeks later the marriage made that statement). There were genuine fears within took place – a civil ceremony at Frances said, ‘He is willing Sylvester the family that Lloyd George might Guildford Registry Office on to delay it for a bit if she would well not survive for very much the morning of Friday, 23 Octo- consider being friends with reflected, longer. Having visited Bron-y-de in ber 1943. The previous day the me. Once on speaking terms May, Sir Thomas Carey-Evans saw ever-dependable Sylvester had with me, he has an idea that the ‘Megan Lloyd George ‘change colour com- transported ‘masses’ of flowers to whole thing would break down. said that pletely, he looked so ghastly’. There Bron-y-de in readiness for the cere- But she has not consented to was precious little love lost between mony the following day. The even- that. No, I am quite sure that her Father Lloyd George and his only son-in- ing before the wedding, a highly he has not sold the pass. I think law: ‘I cannot get on with that old distraught Megan Lloyd George he has got in mind to put it off, said that he Bugger. … The more I see of him, telephoned her father at Bron-y- not because of Megan at all, the more I loathe him. He is not a de. A heated exchange predict- but until he resigns from the would never man’s man, you know’. He found ably followed. Lloyd George was constituency. I have come to Lloyd George conjecturing about away from the drawing room for the conclusion that the whole do it. LG had resigning his seat in the House of so long that Frances felt obliged to thing is governed by that and Commons and possibly accepting a go to find out what was happening. the political situation. Once he a different peerage and going to the House of Soon, she returned convinced that has no feeling that he has no Lords: ‘I think the Almighty will ‘Megan would make her Father ill’, longer to fight another election, interpreta- decide for him: that is my opinion, and asking the trusted Sylvester in plain words he does not care and that not very long ahead. He to intervene. He in turn found his for Megan at all. Until he can be tion. He has got some heart trouble. When aged employer ‘somewhat upset sure of that he has to take some he gets very excited he gets very and exhausted’, protesting loudly notice of her, and especially if knew he pale with strain’.33 to Megan, ‘But Gwilym and Edna he thinks she is going to cut up But Lloyd George did not agree and Olwen agrees. … Well, rough. He is thinking it over promised expire, although he was grow- my dear, that shows that you are very carefully. I am sure he ing steadily ever weaker and more thoroughly selfish’. At this point does not intend to stand again. Frances that frail, and the plans for an October Sylvester volunteered to take over I think that is the reason why he he would do wedding went ahead largely in the telephone conversation with is delaying it for a little while secret. There was very little con- Megan in order to relieve Lloyd I am quite sure, and I have no it. And there tact between Lloyd George and George of the obviously escalating doubt at all, that he does intend Megan throughout the summer of ‘pain and strain’ of continuing to to do it. He is thoroughly honest we are. This 1943. They very rarely even spoke argue with his ever more enraged about that. Delay may be dan- on the telephone during the long daughter. ‘Did Father hear what I gerous. It is taking a risk, but conversa- summer recess. Then they met at said?’, demanded Megan. By now one has got to take it. There is Westminster largely by accident on sobbing hysterically down the no alternative. I feel that Megan tion, and his 8 September, the occasion of a fare- telephone, she went on, ‘People is a little fool. She has got it into well lunch given to Ivan Maisky, will laugh at him: I could not bear her head that because it is not reaction, who was then retiring as the Soviet people to laugh at him, because it done, it won’t be done at all. envoy to the United Kingdom, and would be terrible. … He must do That is where she is wrong. I am convinced his wife. The lunch was given by this knowing what he is doing. … sure she has no guarantee. He is Anthony Eden, the Foreign Sec- It is ridiculous’. Sylvester reflected, playing a game with her’. (I am me of one retary, and his second wife Bea- ‘Megan said that her Father said sure he is playing a game with trice. The meeting between Lloyd that he would never do it. LG had both of them!). 31 thing: that George and Megan was shrouded a different interpretation. He knew in an intense ‘air of artificiality. … he promised Frances that he would The following day, Sylvester spoke he was he He [Lloyd George] is still leading do it. And there we are. This con- to Lady Olwen Carey-Evans, ‘She Miss Stevenson to believe that he versation, and his reaction, con- told me privately that it made it himself who will marry her, and the fact that vinced me of one thing: that he was very difficult for her because of Megan has suddenly come into the he himself who wanted to marry Megan’s attitude. “Anything we can wanted picture again has thoroughly upset Frances’. do to make him happier I think it is to marry his plans. Megan still thinks LG Returning to the library at up to us to meet him. I am not cer- will never marry again. He told Bron-y-de, Sylvester found Lloyd tain if Mother knew that it would Frances’. Frances that he had had a row with George to be still ‘a little upset’, upset her. It is not being disloyal; Megan!’.34 That very same day Syl- but soon he became ‘quite com- and I do not want to be horrid to vester was able to record, ‘I think posed’. By now LG’s patience was anybody, because it works on him. he has made his mind up. I think running thin with his younger The main thing is to stop him mar- he now intends to do it (marry). daughter. Indeed, he had become rying and that we have done”’. He never intended to do it before ‘rather annoyed with Megan and Concluded Sylvester, ‘In the light the end of this year, but he did not her attitude’. Before retiring to bed, of Frances’s conversation last night want to say so. The only thing is Frances telephoned Gwilym and his and now Olwen, I am convinced will Megan do anything violent? wife Edna who gladly confirmed he is double crossing one of them, She will do anything she can to that that they both still planned to and I wonder which it is. Evelyn stop it. I think he will be one too attend the wedding ceremony the

Journal of Liberal History 74 Spring 2012 37 david and frances following morning. LG was truly At Criccieth just occurred. The house was cov- low or mean for him to do to carry delighted. Upon hearing this happy ered in the choicest flowers. Lloyd out his object. He would quarrel news, the bride and bridegroom and through- George was positively delighted with Dame Margaret like Hell, or duly retired to spend the last night to find Frances’s daughter Jennifer with Megan, and prance away in the before their wedding in the under- out much of (possibly his daughter too), who middle of his rage. When he went ground ‘dug out’ at Bron-y-de. had been allowed home early from abroad with his family, he did noth- Here Lloyd George, still perpetu- north Wales school, waiting for them at the ing but calculate how long it would ally petrified of the Nazi bombers, house. They toasted the bride and be before he returned’.42 Three days at least felt safe and secure in his the news bridegroom and lunched on home- after the wedding, Frances wrote ‘dug out’, but it was by any stand- grown pork. As agreed, Sylvester to Jennifer, ‘What a marvellous ards a distinctly unromantic setting was received then issued a statement to the Press weekend it was, made all the more for a couple on the eve of their wed- with intense Association, and Bron-y-de was marvellous by having you here, & ding day.36 soon bombarded with incessant watching your joy. Since then, we After speaking to her father and astonish- telephone calls from journalists have just been snowed under by then to Sylvester on the telephone and press editors. Most of these letters & telegrams, including one in this frenzied, highly agitated ment and Sylvester fielded, often claim- from the P.M., & General Smuts, state of mind, Megan had promptly ing to be ‘the butler’ with but lit- & many members of the Cabinet. telephoned her brother Gwilym incredulity. It tle first-hand, detailed knowledge … I’ve also had a magnificent 17th and pleaded with him at least not of the course of events. Jennifer century Italian jewel from Lord to attend the wedding ceremony. was recorded also pretended to be a secretary Beaverbrook – rubies & diamonds Eventually he yielded, and rang while answering the telephone. – it takes your breath away. I feel Bron-y-de at 8.30 the next morning that some She later recalled, ‘When I arrived quite overwhelmed by it all’.43 But to tell his father that he would travel at Bron-y-de, a comment I made Frances’s subsequent efforts to rec- down there only in the afternoon. traditional to one of the genuine secretaries, oncile with Megan predictably fell In spite of this intense disappoint- that Frances’s bed had disappeared on stony ground. ment and setback, Sylvester found Lloyd George from her bedroom, was received Indeed at Criccieth and through- Lloyd George to be ‘fit and spar- with lascivious giggles. As Taid out much of north Wales the news kling’ on the morning of the wed- supporters was 80 and my mother 55 (and I 13) was received with intense aston- ding – ‘Yes, I am going to do it, so I had not thought of the marriage ishment and incredulity. It was now you know what you are down in the con- in terms of sex’.39 Frances rather recorded that some traditional here for!’. Only Sylvester and Franc- excitedly practised her new sig- Lloyd George supporters in the es’s younger sister Muriel Stevenson stituency nature as ‘Frances Lloyd George’. constituency and beyond had sim- attended the wedding ceremony and beyond Then Gwilym and Edna arrived ply broken down and wept on and acted as witnesses at Arlington at the house as expected, Gwilym hearing of the second marriage. House, the registry office at Guild- had simply asserting that Megan had been After all Dame Margaret had been ford. The press was excluded. The ‘much upset and he had had a very deeply revered in the area, and the little party then drove back to Bron- broken down bad time with her’. After taking very idea of a second marriage was y-de via the Punch Bowl, Lloyd tea, he shook hands with his father viewed as sacrilege and a betrayal. George looking ‘immensely happy’. and wept on but pointedly did not congratulate But Lloyd George, based at Bron- ‘The autumn tints of brown and red him on his marriage, confirm- y-de, Churt, and now aged almost of the trees in the great Bowl and hearing of ing Sylvester’s by now deeply held eighty-one years, was not inclined beyond, and the rolling hills up to view that here was indeed ‘a funny to worry overmuch. the Hogs Back looked wonderful. the second family’. 40 And the sun shone through a rather The marriage was noted widely Dr J. Graham Jones is Senior Archivist angry sky’.37 When she came to pen marriage. in the daily and Sunday newspa- and Head of the Welsh Political Archive her own memoirs more than twenty pers.41 Megan told her sister Olwen at the National Library of Wales, years later in the mid-1960s, Frances and her husband that the marriage Aberystwyth recalled vividly, ‘L.G. was looking was now ‘a closed door, and she was gay and handsome, and after the going to stand on her own feet’. 1 National Library of Wales (hereafter ceremony we drove up to Hind- Reflected Sylvester, ‘I personally NLW), A. J. Sylvester Papers A50, head around the Punch Bowl. Then never thought she would do any- diary entry for 20 January 1941. L.G. told the chauffeur to drive thing silly such as doing away with 2 Ibid., diary entry for 21 January 1941. to the farm office and introduced herself as she has sometimes indi- 3 Thelma Cazalet-Keir, From the Wings: me to the manager as “Mrs Lloyd cated’. He went on, ‘I feel that he an Autobiography (Bodley Head, 1967), George”. The whole countryside [Lloyd George] is an exceedingly p. 47. was bathed in sunshine, as was my lucky man. The Gods are certainly 4 See the funeral reports in the Car- heart, and a deep contentment pos- with him to a most remarkable narvon and Denbigh Herald and in the sessed me; contentment, but not the degree. In somewhat similar cir- North Wales Observer, both dated 24 thrills of the usual bride. Our real cumstances King Edward VIII was January 1941. marriage had taken place thirty dethroned. LG is elevated. He has 5 NLW, A. J. Sylvester Papers A50, years before’.38 lived a life of duplicity. He has got diary entry for 23 January 1941. On their return to Bron-y-de, clean away with it. When he went to 6 Ibid., diary entry for 9 February 1941. Lloyd George stopped to inform Criccieth to stay with Dame Mar- 7 Even after Lloyd George and Frances Mr Withers, the estate manager, garet, he was fretting to get back to had returned to live at Ty Newydd, of the exciting event which had Frances and Churt: nothing was too Llanystumdwy in September 1944,

38 Journal of Liberal History 74 Spring 2012 david and frances

Sarah Jones still had not forgiven 13 Lady Olwen Carey-Evans, Lloyd 23 Ibid., diary entry for 9 December 34 Ibid., diary entry for 8 Septem- him for stopping the allowance George was my Father (Gomer, 1942. ber 1943. for Brynawelon in January 1941: 1985), p. 166. 24 Ibid., diary entry for 11 Decem- 35 Ibid. ‘I will not go [to meet Lloyd 14 NLW, A. J. Sylvester Papers A53, ber 1942. 36 Ibid., diary entry for 22 October George]. He stopped my money’. diary entry for 26 March 1942. 25 Ffion Hague, The Pain and the 1943. Under considerable pressure 15 NLW, Frances Stevenson Fam- Privilege: the Women in Lloyd 37 Ibid., diary entry for 23 October from Sylvester, she eventually ily Papers X3/1, reminiscences of George’s Life (Harper Press, 2008), 1943. relented, and, ‘There was a short Jennifer Longford, p. 26. p. 526. 38 Frances Lloyd George, The Years talk in Welsh. She told me after- 16 NLW, A. J. Sylvester Papers A53, 26 NLW, A. J. Sylvester Papers A55, that are Past (Hutchinson, 1967), wards that he had looked so dif- diary entry for 28 April 1942. diary entry for 15 January 1943. p. 272. ferent that she could not be other 17 Ibid., diary entry for 6 May 1942. 27 Sunday Express, 17 January 1943. 39 NLW, Frances Stevenson Fam- than civil’. (NLW, A. J. Sylvester 18 Thelma Cazalet-Keir, From the 28 NLW, A. J. Sylvester Papers A55, ily Papers X3/1, reminiscences of Papers A56, diary entry for 21 Wings, p. 52. diary entry for 17 January 1943. Jennifer Longford, p. 26. September 1944). 19 NLW, A. J. Sylvester Papers A53, 29 NLW MS 20,475C, no. 3172, 40 NLW, A. J. Sylvester Papers A55, 8 NLW, A. J. Sylvester Papers A50, diary entries for 7, 8, 11, 12, 13 Lord Dawson to Megan Lloyd diary entry for 23 October 1943. diary entry for 24 January 1941. and 21 May and 9 June 1942. George, 15 January 1943. 41 See, e.g., The Times, 25 October 9 Ibid., diary entry for 9 February 20 Ibid., diary entry for 28 June 30 NLW, A. J. Sylvester Papers A55, 1943. 1941. 1942. diary entry for 19 January 1943. 42 NLW, A. J. Sylvester Papers A55, 10 Ibid., diary entries for 10 March 21 Ibid., diary entries for 2 and 16 31 Idid., diary entry for 24 January diary entry for 25 October 1943. and 7 April 1941. July, 4 August, 23 October, and 1943. 43 NLW, Frances Stevenson Fam- 11 Ibid., diary entries for 24 and 30 19, 21, 23, 26 and 30 November 32 Idid., diary entry for 25 January ily Papers FCF1/2, Frances Lloyd April 1941. 1942. 1943. George to Jennifer Stevenson, 27 12 NLW, A. J. Sylvester Papers A53, 22 Ibid., diary entries for 3 and 8 33 Idid., diary entry for 23 May October 1943. diary entry for 3 March 1942. December 1942. 1943.

Liberal history quiz 2011 In the last issue, Journal of Liberal History 73, we published the questions in our annual history quiz at the Liberal Democrat conference in Birmingham in September last year. The winner was Stuart Bray, with an impressive 19 marks out of 20. Below we reprint the answers.

1. David Lloyd George 2. Shirley Williams, Crosby 3. Sir Archibald Sinclair 4. The Liberal Unionists 5. Colne Valley 6. The Tawney Society was named after RH Tawney who wrote Religion and the Rise of Capitalism 7. Lord John Russell 8. Elizabeth Shields 9. The Orange Book: Reclaiming Liberalism 10. Harry Willcock. He was the last person arrested for failing to produce an identity card in the UK in 1951. 11. 1959 12. Susan Kramer 13. Des Wilson 14. Name of pre-merger policy document; Thatcher’s reference in conference speech October 1990. 15. Liberal Prime Minister W E Gladstone who in a memo on his retirement wrote ‘What that Sicilian mule was to me, I have been to the Queen.’ 16. Gladstone enjoyed rowing at Eton and Rosebery requested that the Eton Boating song be played on a gramophone as he lay dying. 17. Alistair Stewart 18. All babies of the House (youngest MPs) at the time of their election 19. New Orbits Group 20. Dame Margaret Corbett Ashby

Journal of Liberal History 74 Spring 2012 39