Background
Algernon Skeffington was born on November 28, 1873. He was the eldest son of Clotworthy John Skeffington, 11th Viscount Massereene by Florence Whyte-Melville, only daughter of Major George Whyte-Melville.
Algernon Skeffington was born on November 28, 1873. He was the eldest son of Clotworthy John Skeffington, 11th Viscount Massereene by Florence Whyte-Melville, only daughter of Major George Whyte-Melville.
Algernon Skeffington entered the army in 1895, and served with the 17th Lancers, where in 1900 he was promoted Captain. He retired from the army in 1907, but served again as an officer with the North Irish Horse in World War I 1914-1918. Lord Massereene was Parliamentary Secretary in the Department of the Prime Minister of Northern Ireland 1921-1929. He also served as Lord Lieutenant and Custos Rotulorum of County Antrim 1916-1938.
From 1900 to 1902 he served with his regiment in South Africa during the Second Boer War (1899-1901), where he was wounded, mentioned in Despatches twice, and for which he was promoted a brevet Major and created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order (Defence Science Organisation).
Algernon Skeffington was married twice. In 1905 he married Jean Barbara Ainsworth (died in 1937). They had one son, John Whyte-Melville-Skeffington. In 1940 he re-married Mrs Florence Clementina Vere Vere-Laurie.