Major Sir Fergus John Matheson of Matheson (7th Bt.)

Genealogy

Major Sir Fergus John Matheson of Matheson, 7th Baronet of Lochalsh and 27th Chief of the Clan, was born on 22nd February 1927.  He is the younger son of General Sir Torquhil and Lady Elizabeth Matheson. Sir Torquhil was the 5th and youngest son of Sir Alexander Matheson of Ardross and Lochalsh. Sir Fergus was born in London, christened in the Guards Chapel, Wellington Barracks and early years were divided between Norfolk (England), Quetta in India (now Pakistan) and Lochalsh in Wester Ross, Scotland.  In 1952 he married the Hon. Jean Elizabeth Mary Willoughby, younger daughter of Lord and Lady Middleton of Birdsall, Malton, Yorkshire also formerly of Applecross in Wester Ross.  There were two daughters and one son by the marriage, Elizabeth Angela Matilda (Thompson), Alexander Fergus and Fiona Jean Lucia (Kendall). His wife died in November 2008.

History

Following his education at Eton College, in 1944 he enlisted as a Guardsman in the Coldstream Guards and in October 1945 was commissioned into the Regiment after training at 161 (RMC) OCTU, Aldershot.  He saw service with his Regiment in Germany, Palestine, Tripoli, North Africa and Egypt and retired as a Major in 1964. Then for a short time he worked in the City of London before moving to Norfolk and  commenced employment in the Poultry Division of the Ross Group. Later he began his own business as an egg merchant.

In 1979 he was appointed as one of H.M. Body Guard of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen at Arms, and later appointed Standard Bearer in 1993, having to retire at the age of 70 in 1997. He succeeded to the Chiefship of the Clan in 1993, on the death of his elder brother, Sir Torquhil, who in 1975 had succeeded to the Chiefship by tanistry on the death of Colonel Bertram Matheson of Matheson 25th Chief and last of the line of the Bennetsfield Branch of the Clan.

Present Day

Sir Fergus continues to reside in Norfolk and leads a very active and busy life, with his ongoing responsibilities as Chief of the Clan.