Lady Codrington and
Master Arthur Codrington
(1815-1898 and 1854-1945)
4 September 1861

Volume 5, page 37, sitting number 5651.

Born in 1815 (or perhaps in late 1814), Mary Ames was the daughter of Levi Ames of The Hyde, Hertfordshire. She was baptised on 8 February 1815 at St Andrew’s in Clifton, Bristol.  

On 7 May 1836 she married General Sir William John Codrington. 

On 9 June 1856 she was appointed a Woman of the Bedchamber to Queen Victoria. On 21 June 1856 Queen Victoria wrote in her journal: ‘I have appointed Ly. Codrington one of my Bedchamber Women (vacant by Ly. Theresa Digby becoming a Peeress) as a compliment to Sir William, & indeed for her own merits, as her conduct has been so admirable throughout, & she is handsome & ladylike. She attended on me, for the Ball, for the 1st time today.’ 

As a reward for her services, she later received the Royal Order of Victoria and Albert.

Lady Codrington died on 28 June 1898 at Danmoore Cottage, Heckfield, Hampshire. She left an estate valued at £108,596. 

Alfred Edward Codrington was born on 4 May 1854.

He entered the Coldstream Guards in 1873, and served in the Egyptian Campaign of 1882. He was twice wounded during the Boer Wars, was mentioned in despatches, received the Queen’s medal with three clasps and the King’s medal with two clasps, and brevet rank of Colonel. He was in command of the London District from 1900 to 1913. Between 1914 and 1916 he was Commanding Officer of the 3rd Army, Home Defences. 

On 20 May 1885 he married Adela Harriet Portal, daughter of Melville Portal of Laverstoke House, Hampshire. Their marriage produced three sons and one daughter. 

Lieutenant-General Sir Alfred Edward Codrington, GCVO, KCB, died on 12 September 1945 at The Bay House at Preston in Rutland. He was 91 years old. He left an estate valued at £80,769.