Biography of Charles Howard 20th Earl of Suffolk, 13th Earl Berkshire 1906-1941

On 26th December 1904 [his father] Henry Molyneux Paget Howard 19th Earl Suffolk 12th Earl Berkshire (age 27) and [his mother] Margaret Hyde "Daisy" Leiter (age 25) were married. She a wealthy American heiress, one of many who married into English nobilty around the time. He the son of [his grandfather] Henry Charles Howard 18th Earl Suffolk 11th Earl Berkshire and [his grandmother] Mary Eleanor Coventry Countess Suffolk and Berkshire (age 57).

On 2nd March 1906 Charles Howard 20th Earl of Suffolk, 13th was born to [his father] Henry Molyneux Paget Howard 19th Earl Suffolk 12th Earl Berkshire (age 28) and [his mother] Margaret Hyde "Daisy" Leiter (age 27).

1925. Bassano Ltd TBiPOkFt. Photograph of Charles Howard 20th Earl of Suffolk, 13th (age 18).

In March 1934 Charles Howard 20th Earl of Suffolk, 13th (age 27) and Minnie "Mimi" Forde-Pigott Countess of Suffolk and Berkshire (age 36) were married. She by marriage Countess Suffolk, Countess Berkshire. He the son of Henry Molyneux Paget Howard 19th Earl Suffolk 12th Earl Berkshire and Margaret Hyde "Daisy" Leiter (age 55).

On 27th March 1935 [his son] Michael Howard 21st Earl of Suffolk, 14th Earl Berkshire was born to Charles Howard 20th Earl of Suffolk, 13th (age 29) and [his wife] Minnie "Mimi" Forde-Pigott Countess of Suffolk and Berkshire (age 37).

On 10th June 1940 Charles Howard 20th Earl of Suffolk, 13th (age 34) left Paris and travelled to Bordeaux [Map] where British Embassy representatives introduced them to the master of the British tramp ship SS Broompark. They embarked 33 eminent scientists, with their families. Two more scientists, Lew Kowarski and Hans Halban, arrived with the entire world stockpile of heavy water. Then the managing director of the Antwerp Diamond Bank, Paul Timbal, joined, with $10 million worth of gem diamonds. They discovered 600 tons of machine tools in wagons on the quay, which were also loaded. The Broompark carried them safely to Pendennis Castle, Falmouth [Map].

On 12th May 1941 Charles Howard 20th Earl of Suffolk, 13th (age 35) was killed. He had successfully defused thirty-four bombs. The thirty-fifth exploded at Erith Marshes, Kent bomb cemetery. The 250kg bomb, dropped six months earlier, contained a Zus 40 booby trap that detonated when the Type 17 fuse was withdrawn. The explosion killed fourteen people: the Earl, his chauffeur Fred Hards, his secretary Eileen Beryl Morden (who died in the ambulance), and eleven other people who were nearby.

[his son] Michael Howard 21st Earl of Suffolk, 14th Earl Berkshire (age 6) succeeded 21st Earl Suffolk, 14th Earl Berkshire, 13th Viscount Andover in Hampshire, 13th Baron Howard of Charlton in Wiltshire.

The London Gazette 35220. Central Chancery Of The Orders Of Knighthood.

St. James's Palace, S.W.1. 18th July, 1941.

The King has been gracidusly pleased to award the GEORGE CROSS to:-

Charles Henry George Howard, Earl of Suffolk and Berkshire (deceased), Chief Field Research and Experimental Officer, Directorate of Scientific Research, Ministry of Supply.

For conspicuous bravery in connection with bomb disposal.

On 22nd February 1966 [his former wife] Minnie "Mimi" Forde-Pigott Countess of Suffolk and Berkshire (age 68) died. She was buried at Charlton, Wiltshire.