Carolyn, Lady Elwes: 1940-2022
Carolyn, Lady Elwes, wife of the former Lord Lieutenant of Gloucestershire, Sir Henry Elwes, has died at the age of 82.
Sir Henry, 87, said she had suffered a stroke on December 23 and died hours later at Cheltenham General Hospital. Carolyn had been making a Christmas present on her sewing machine when she suddenly collapsed, hitting her head.
Speaking from the family estate at Colesbourne, near Cirencester, Sir Henry says, ‘I am completely shattered by Carolyn’s sudden death after 60 years of marriage. She was an amazing support to me and we had a marvellous understanding.’
Carolyn was born in Ampney Crucis to Joe and Joyce Cripps. She married Sir Henry in 1962, and they had three sons: John, Freddie and George (the latter sadly died in 1993).
In her 20s, Carolyn joined the NSPCC, and Sir Henry says she was “a huge support” when he joined Gloucestershire County Council where he became leader.
‘Public service was flowing in her blood,’ recalls Sir Henry.
Carolyn became a major figure in St John Ambulance – regionally and nationally – and was county commissioner and chairman, serving on the organisation’s Priory in London. She instigated a new headquarters here in Gloucestershire at Staverton, and gained the honour of Dame of Grace of St John, (DStJ).
Carolyn – as she she liked to be called – was appointed chairman of the County Ambulance Service until amalgamation with the SW group. She was the driving force behind the snowdrop collection at their Colesbourne estate, which was described by Country Life magazine as “England’s greatest snowdrop garden”.
An expert needlewoman – taught by her grandfather – she completed many works, including jointly an altar frontal in Westminster Abbey. Carolyn was president of the Royal British Legion’s Gloucestershire women’s section and was involved in many local and national charities.
Privately, Carolyn Elwes was a countrywoman at heart – she bred class-winning Cotswold sheep with another local framer, Margaret Powell and she loved her speckled grey Maran hens.
Sir Henry Elwes remembers, ‘Carolyn was a lady of many talents – not least as an expert salmon fisher. Almost always she caught more fish than anyone else in the party.
‘The suddenness of Carolyn’s death, while in rude health, has left me and the whole family devastated.’
