John Henry Lonsdale

[Robert]

Hi Andy

I will at some point try to work out Robert Fripp's descent. It's a question of finding the time. I doubt if he has any info on JTR (after all it was 20th century schizoid man, not 19th century ) but it's interesting nonetheless.

[Robert]

Actually it's 21st century, and I'm behind the times as usual.

[aspallek]

Thanks Robert. Actually Fripp didn't write the lyrics to 21st Century Schizoid Man which is too bad because it doesn't takke t oo much of a strech to start to see Ripper relevance in the lyrics to their music. Or try the song In Court of the Crimson King ("the black queen chants ther funeral march...")

Just shows you the you can "put" relevance into anything if you try.

[dwoodhead]

Fripp

I have been researching Sir Alfred Fripp's life for many years now and have met his oldest son's 70-yr-old daughter many times. I am also in correspondence with another grandchild.
As I understand, after Cecil Roberts had returned all the documents Fripp's widow allowed him to have (four years after Fripp's death), they eventually passed to his younger son whose life was so disorganised that the papers disappeared - almost certainly destroyed.
Although Fripp had met Eddy at Oxford, in 1883, when visiting his godfather, the Prince's tutor, he only became part of the entourage in 1890. I doubt both that the Eddy Cover-up Theory is true or that in the two years that Fripp treated his ailments he would have let anything slip. If he treated Eddy for any sexually-transmitted diseases, it would not necessarily lead to incriminating confidences - or mean that Fripp would ever break doctor/patient confidentiality.
However, Fripp did appear as a witness for Billing in his celebrated and scandalous 'Cult of the Clitoris' trial in 1918, Billing obviously hoping he would reveal dark secrets about the British aristocracy. The judge, Darling, refused to allow his main evidence.
Dave Woodhead - author "Of Fripp and Froth Blowers" (Private publication)

[aspallek]

Well we know that Fripp and Lonsdale were close friends so the question is what information might have passed between them. I suppose we will never know. Thanks for the information btw. Was Fripp related to the Wimborne Fripps?

[dwoodhead]

The Fripp family site does not show a close connection - nor is Lonsdale, apart from Lord Lonsdale (once), mentioned in the 300-page, 'rose-tinted' biography.
The Fripps were buried in Tarrant Rushton, although Sir Alfred and his family are buried in Lulworth.
Interestingly, Sir Frederick Treves was a lifetime competitor of Fripps: born 12years earlier in Dorchester, Treves was, I think, annoyed that Fripp 'caught up' with him professionally by the lucky accident of being taken into the Royal household straight after his graduation. What either of them knew of Eddy's life will, I doubt, ever be known now. Fripp's best man at his wedding in 1898 was Sir George Holford, equerry to Eddy and his father. However, considering the cover-up of his father's indiscretions, not breaking ranks was all part of the system. I think Fripp was disgruntled enough to say something sensational at Billing's trial, but only about Margot Asquith and her crowd - had Darling let him.
dwoodhead

[aspallek]

Thank you very much for that information. I don't think there is anything particularly relevant to JtR there but it certainly helps to flesh out the life of John Henry Lonsdale to know more about one of his close friends. I continue to believe Lonsdale is potentially a very important figure.

[Robert]

Almost as important as Robert Fripp, Andy.

[aspallek]

I don't know. You tell me:

The wall on which the prophets wrote
Is cracking at the seams.
Upon the instruments of death
The sunlight brightly gleams.
When every man is torn apart
With nightmares and with dreams,
Will no one lay the laurel wreath
As silence drowns the screams.

[aspallek]

Lonsdale's entry for the 1898 Crockford's. He would go on to serve at Fontmell Magna where he would die in 1903.

[Johnr]

More on Lonsdale and the Lulworth Lobsters

I have finally tracked down my reference for my half-remembered cricketing link for J.H.Lonsdale .
Lillywhite's Cricket Annual for 1888 lists the address for a Dorset cricket club, " The Lulworth Lobsters " as: " J.H.Lonsdale, 1 Kings Bench Walk ". JOHN RUFFELS.

[aspallek]

Thanks, John. This confirms earlier info I had that he played for the Lullworth club. He apparently wass their secretary them, position he also held for the Shroton club. However, the KBW address was not his in 1888.

[dwoodhead]

Thank you very much for that information. I don't think there is anything particularly relevant to JtR there but it certainly helps to flesh out the life of John Henry Lonsdale to know more about one of his close friends. I continue to believe Lonsdale is potentially a very important figure.

What makes you think that Lonsdale was a "very close friend" of Fripp?

[dwoodhead]

Fripp - Lonsdale

Well we know that Fripp and Lonsdale were close friends so the question is what information might have passed between them. I suppose we will never know. Thanks for the information btw. Was Fripp related to the Wimborne Fripps?

How do "we know that Fripp and Lonsdale were close friends"?