Peerage Record – 8068

     Hon. Gwendolen Mary French was born on 18 May 1878.¹ She was the daughter of Arthur French, 4th Baron de Freyne of Coolavin and Lady Laura Octavia Dundas.² She died on 17 May 1893 at age 14.¹

     Francis Charles French, 6th Baron de Freyne of Coolavin was born on 15 January 1884.² He was the son of Arthur French, 4th Baron de Freyne of Coolavin and Marie Georgiana Lamb.² He married Lina Victoria Arnott, daughter of Major Sir John Alexander Arnott, 2nd Bt. and Caroline Sydney Williams, on 28 February 1916.¹ He died on 24 December 1935 at age 51.²
     He was educated at The Oratory School, Edgbaston, Warwickshire, England. He held the office of Deputy Lieutenant (D.L.) of County Roscommon.² He held the office of High Sheriff of County Roscommon in 1912.² He succeeded as the 6th Baron de Freyne of Coolavin, co. Sligo [U.K., 1851] on 9 May 1915.²

     Lina Victoria Arnott was the daughter of Major Sir John Alexander Arnott, 2nd Bt. and Caroline Sydney Williams.¹ She married Francis Charles French, 6th Baron de Freyne of Coolavin, son of Arthur French, 4th Baron de Freyne of Coolavin and Marie Georgiana Lamb, on 28 February 1916.¹ She died on 25 October 1974.¹
     Lina Victoria Arnott usually went by her middle name of Victoria. From 28 February 1916, her married name became French. After her marriage, Lina Victoria Arnott was styled as Baroness de Freyne of Coolavin on 28 February 1916.

     Major Sir John Alexander Arnott, 2nd Bt. was born on 16 November 1853.¹ He was the son of Sir John Arnott, 1st Bt. and Mary McKinlay.¹ He married Caroline Sydney Williams, daughter of Sir Frederick Martin Williams, 2nd Bt. and Mary Christian Law, on 27 September 1881.¹ He died on 26 July 1940 at age 86.¹
     He gained the title of 2nd Baronet Arnott, of Woodlands, Shandon, co. Cork [U.K., 1896] on 28 March 1898.¹ He gained the rank of Major in the 4th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment.¹ He gained the rank of Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel in the 4th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment.¹ He held the office of Justice of the Peace (J.P.) for County Cork.¹ He held the office of Deputy Lieutenant (D.L.) of County Cork.¹

     Francis Arthur John French, 7th Baron de Freyne of Coolavin was born on 3 September 1927.¹ He was the son of Francis Charles French, 6th Baron de Freyne of Coolavin and Lina Victoria Arnott.² He married, firstly, Shirley Ann Pobjoy, daughter of Dougles Rudolph Pobjoy, on 30 January 1954.¹ He and Shirley Ann Pobjoy were divorced in 1978.¹ He married, secondly, Sheelin Deidre O’Kelly, daughter of Lt.-Col. Henry Kane O’Kelly, on 18 July 1978.¹ He died on 24 November 2009 at age 82.
     He succeeded as the 7th Baron de Freyne of Coolavin, co. Sligo [U.K., 1851] on 24 December 1935.¹ He was educated at Glenstal Abbey School, Murroe, County Limerick, Ireland^G.¹ He was awarded the Knight, Sovereign Military Order of Malta.¹

     Shirley Ann Pobjoy is the daughter of Dougles Rudolph Pobjoy.¹ She and Francis Arthur John French, 7th Baron de Freyne of Coolavin were divorced in 1978.² She married Francis Arthur John French, 7th Baron de Freyne of Coolavin, son of Francis Charles French, 6th Baron de Freyne of Coolavin and Lina Victoria Arnott, on 30 January 1954.²
     After her marriage, Shirley Ann Pobjoy was styled as Baroness de Freyne of Coolavin on 30 January 1954. From 30 January 1954, her married name became French.

     Dougles Rudolph Pobjoy lived at Box Farm House, Woodmancote, Gloucestershire, England^G.²

     Fulke Charles Arthur John French, 8th Baron de Freyne of Coolavin was born on 21 April 1957.¹ He is the son of Francis Arthur John French, 7th Baron de Freyne of Coolavin and Shirley Ann Pobjoy.² He married Julia Mary Wellard, daughter of Dr. James H. Wellard, on 12 April 1986.¹
     Fulke Charles Arthur John French, 8th Baron de Freyne of Coolavin usually went by his middle name of Charles.¹ He was educated at Downside School, Bath, Somerset, England^G.¹ He was appointed Fellow, Royal Geographic Society (F.R.G.S.) He lived in 2003 at 14 Langside Avenue, London, England^G.¹ He succeeded as the 8th Baron de Freyne of Coolavin, co. Sligo [U.K., 1851] on 24 November 2009.

     Hon. Vanessa Rose Bradbury French was born on 19 September 1958.¹ She is the daughter of Francis Arthur John French, 7th Baron de Freyne of Coolavin and Shirley Ann Pobjoy.² She married Richard Leslie Phillips, son of Leslie Phillips, on 6 December 1991.¹
     From 6 December 1991, her married name became Phillips. She lived in 2003 at Oak Farmhouse, Stradsett, Norfolk, England^G.¹