Members of the Fripp family have lived at West Lulworth from 1911 until the 1980s
Sir Alfred Downing Fripp (1865-1930)
Alfred was born at Blandford Forum on 12 September 1865 to artist Alfred Downing Fripp (1822-1895) and his second wife Eliza Banister Fripp nee Roe (1835-1895).
Alfred entered Guy’s Hospital as a medical student on 1 October 1884.
On 8 June 1898 Alfred, then a Master Surgeon, married Margaret Scott Haywood at Reigate. Margaret was born on 28 February 1880 in London and the daughter of Thomas Burt Haywood (1826-1900) and his wife Margaret Louisa Haywood nee Scott (1841-1914). His friend George Holford (see later) was best man.
The 1920 edition of Kellys Directory showed Sir Alfred as a Private Resident living at Bindon Waters. When not in his London home, at 19 Portland Place, he would join the family at West Lulworth.
Alfred purchased the Mill House, at Lulworth, in 1911 and retired there in 1925.
In 1927 Alfred had a house, designed by architect Sir Edwin Lutyens, built on the clifftop. Alfred had been left a legacy by his good friend, Sir George Holford, and named his new home ‘Weston‘ after ‘Westonbirt House’, Gloucestershire, where Sir George had lived and designed the famous arboretum.
Alfred died at West Lulworth on 25 February 1930 with the cause of death shown as nephritis. He was buried at Holy Trinity, West Lulworth on 1 March 1930.
His widow Lady Margaret died on 8 March 1965 aged 85 in London. She was buried on 19 March 1965 at Holy Trinity, West Lulworth.
LADY FRIPP dies in London
The death has occurred in London of Lady Margaret Scott Fripp, who for many years lived at Lulworth and who was the wife of the late Sir Alfred Downing Fripp K.C.V.O., a surgeon to King George V. She was 85. Until two years ago, when she moved to London, she had lived at Weston, Lulworth, where she had a large circle of friends. She was the only daughter of the late Mr T.B. Haywood. She married in 1898 and her husband died in 1930. Cremation is private and the funeral service will be at West Lulworth on March 19.
AN APPRECIATION
David Dickson writes:
‘Lady Fripp’s death marks with characteristically quiet significance the passing of a notable life of happiness at Lulworth and Portland Place, in London. Short in stature, dignified in nature, gentle and humorous in character, here was the heart which beat loudest at Weston where she lived, surrounded, as often as possible, by her large family and friends.
Accompanying her husband’s ambulance unit to South Africa in the Boer War – hairpins being blown from her head by the slipstream of one of the Graham White’s early aircraft – playing tennis (with a diabolical underhand serve) – swimming at Oswald – boating – walking with her dogs – talking to children – all these show the span of her loves and her life. The family she leaves behind is her finest memorial.’
Alfred and Margaret had five children:
1. Alfred Thomas Fripp BM FRCS (1899-1996)
Alfred was born on 3 July 1899. He was nicknamed ‘Boo’.
Alfred served in France as a second lieutenant during WW1.
Alfred married Kathleen Jennie Kimpton (1906-1986), known as Jennie, at St Mark’s Church, North Audley Street, Westminster on 30 June 1931.
In 1934 Alfred became a consultant surgeon at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital.
Alfred and Jennie had three children, Christopher, Jillian and Tessa. Alfred
Jennie died on 19 May 1986 aged 79. Alfred died on 31 December 1995 aged 96.
2. Betty Agnes Fripp OBE (1904-1975)
Betty was born on 6 March 1904 in Marylebone, London.
At West Lulworth, Betty lived at the Mill House, Weston and then The Lynches.
Betty was awarded an OBE in H.M. The Queen’s Birthday Honours 1960. At the time she was International Commissioner for the Girl Guides Association.
Betty died in 1975 in Kensington, London
Betty lived in Lulworth and was very involved with Baden-Powell’s Girl Guides. She was a real character and loved children. She would give any child who swam across Lulworth Cove a silver lobster pick. She took her young relatives and god children to see Peter Pan every Christmas. She was godmother of one of Sarah’s brothers.
Betty was especially skilled in the art of mackeral fishing. She taught us all to fish and loved to take us fishing in her boat. She was quite eccentric and was weather beaten, like a fisherman. She wore shorts and a handkerchief tied round her neck and round her waist – a make shift halter-neck – red silk with a sort of paisley pattern on it.
At The Lynches, where tennis was played every afternoon at 3.00. Of all the guests who stayed at Weston the most memorable would be Sir Lawrence Olivier and Vivienne Leigh, who spent the first night of their honeymoon there. They were, however, most put out to be woken up early the following morning by Betty!
Sarah Pearce (nee Dickson) who, as a child, grew up with the Fripp family
3. Margaret “Bunty” Cecely Fripp (1908-1972)
Margaret was born in Marylebone, London on 19 July 1908.
Margaret married Henry Charlton Parr (1907-1984) on 24 January 1935. He was the only son of Roger Charlton Parr and Lady Julian Parr.
They lived at 17 Chester Square, Belgravia.
Margaret later lived at Stockswood, Grange Road, Wareham.
Margaret died on 1 January 1972 and was buried in the churchyard at Holy Trinity.
4. Venetia Sybil Fripp (1911-1993)
Venetia was born on 2 June 1911.
Venetia married Raymond Courtenay Blagg (1900-1985) in 1940 and they had two sons, Reginald ‘Rex’ and Edward.
Venetia and Raymond lived at Salcombe, Devon in the early 1980’s.
Venetia later lived at Upper Swanmore, Hampshire.
Raymond died on 25 March 1985 aged 84. Venetia died on 10 June 1993 aged 82.
5. Reginald “Rex” Charles Fripp (1915-1982)
Rex Fripp, who died on August 12 aged 69 years, was born on June 15, 1915, the second son of Sir Alfred Fripp, the surgeon. He was educated at Eton and Cambridge and served during the Second World War with the Herefordshire Regiment. He was awarded an immediate DSO in July 1944 when leading a successful night attack by the First Battalion during the breakout from the Bridgehead in Normandy. Continuing to serve with the same battalion, he took over command when approaching the Elbe in April 1945. As his then commanding officer said: “Rex always leads from the front.” And so it always was. All who were at Eton with him will remember the imposing figure of the President of Pop in the peculiar top hat. Those who knew him well were amazed at his apparent control of his housemaster, H.K. Marsden, whose presence would strike fear into the hearts of the rest of us. His lifelong interest was in advice and guidance he was able to give to the young. As senior partner of a City firm of Chartered Accountants, he was well placed to do this, and many will owe him a lasting debt of gratitude. Eton, especially when his great friend C.A. Elliott was Provost, occupied much of his spare time, as did West Lulworth where, like his father and mother before him, he spent as much time as he could. He leaves a widow and two devoted stepsons.
J.M.S.
Page last updated: 27 April 2021