Robert Lambart Dunville (1893-1931) Chairman of Dunville & Co. Ltd.

Published in The Times, London, 12 January 1931

Dunville

On the 10th January 1931, at Johannesburg suddenly of heart failure Robert Lambart son of the late Wing Commander John Dunville, C.B.E. and Mrs. Dunville, of Redburn, Holywood Co. Down N. Ireland and 76 Portland Place, W. London.

Mr. R.L. Dunville

News has been received of the sudden death at Johannesburg of Mr. Robert Lambart Dunville, chairman of the distilling firm of Dunville & Co. Ltd., Belfast. Mr. Dunville was born in 1892, son of Lieutenant Colonel J.D. Dunville of Holywood Co. Down, and educated at Eton where he was in Mr. Philip Williams' and later Mr. Edward Slater's house. He joined the Grenadier Guards with whom he was serving in 1916 when the rebellion broke out in Dublin. Hurrying to join his regiment he was captured by republicans at Castlebellingham, Co. Louth. Despite the evidence to the contrary they persisted in regarding him as a spy, and placing him against a wall, shot him leaving him for dead. He was badly wounded in the chest and never fully recovered. A lover of all animals Mr. Dunville kept an extensive private zoological garden at his home at Holywood, the animals being gathered from all quarters of the globe. He was for some years Master of the County Down Staghounds. His younger brother Lieutenant John Spencer Dunville won the V.C. while serving with the 1st Royal Dragoons at Epehy in 1917, being later killed in action.

Published in the Northern Whig and Belfast Post, Belfast, 12 January 1931

Dunville:- Jan 10th 1931 at Carltonion, South Africa, Robert Lambart Dunville, of Redburn Holywood Co. Down, eldest son of Wing Commander John Dunville Dunville D.L. and Mrs. Dunville of Portland Place, London.

HEAD OF FAMOUS FIRM

Death of Mr. R.L. Dunville at Johannesburg

We regret to announce the death which occurred suddenly at Johannesburg, South Africa of Mr. Robt L. Dunville of Redburn Holywood, chairman of the world famous distilling firm of Dunville and Co. Ltd., Belfast. A cablegram containing the sad news of his death at the early age of 38 years was received in Belfast on Saturday.

Mr. Dunville left Belfast some time ago on an extensive tour, which was to have included South Africa and Australia. He was accompanied by Mrs. Dunville, who is a daughter of Mr. Justice Shaw, a retired judge of the South African High Court, and Mr. J.C. Brounregg of Holywood.

The party recently arrived at Capetown where a brief stay was made, and it was while on a visit to his father-in-law's residence at Johannesburg that Mr. Dunville's illness developed.

The eldest son of the late Mr. John Dunville D.L. was born in 1893, educated at Eton and served during the Great War with the Grenadier Guards being promoted to the rank of Captain. A younger brother Lieut. John Spencer Dunville was killed during the war, won the V.C. while serving with the 1st Royal Dragoons at Epehy on June 1917. Mr. W.G. Dunville his sole surviving brother is resident in Australia.

A KEEN SPORTSMAN

The late Mr. R.L. Dunville was keenly interested in all forms of sport and when Major Daniel Dixon relinquished the position of master of the County Down Staghounds, Mr. Dunville was unanimously chosen as his successor, retaining the position during the years 1926 and 1927. His first season was most successful and on his marriage he was presented with a beautiful silver salver by the members of the Hunt. Mrs. Dunville being made recipient of a handsome dressing set.

Mr. Dunville's death removes one of the best known figures in sporting and social circles not only in Ulster but throughout the country, and the news of his passing has evoked widespread regret. It is less than a year ago that he succeeded his father, the late Mr. John Dunville in the chairmanship of Dunville & Co. Ltd. and in business circles his demise will be sincerely mourned.

A thrilling experience which befell him during the rebellion of 1916 may be recalled. He was on his way to Dublin to take up duty and had reached Castlebellingham when he was captured by a band of rebels, who placed him against a wall and shot him in the chest. He was severely wounded and never quite recovered from the effects of his injury.

Interested in zoology Mr. Dunville maintained a private zoo at his extensive grounds at Holywood, and included wild animals from almost every part of the world. Possessed of remarkable business abilities the Company has during his short reign as chairman extended in many respects, and a notable example of the esteem in which he was held was afforded when a deputation from the South-West Trade Protection Association attended the London office of Messrs Dunville & Co. in Aug 1828 and presented Mr. Dunville with a silver salver bearing his name and inscribed "In grateful recognition of his valuable services as president at the annual festival 6th Feb 1928."

Mr. Dunville was a member of Whites' Club and the Ulster Club. In addition to his fine residence at Redburn he also owned one at Navan, Co. Meath (Beau Park) where he was popular with all classes of the community.

Published in the Belfast Telegraph, 10 January 1931

We deeply regret to announce that Mr. Robert L. Dunville the chairman of Messrs Dunville & Co. the Belfast Distillers, whose home is at Redburn Holywood has died suddenly at Johannesburg which he was visiting on an extensive tour. A cablegram was received in Belfast today announcing his death, which has taken place at the early age of 38.

(Information same as The Times, London and the Northern Whig and Belfast Post, except for the following extract)

WAS GOING TO AUSTRALIA

A pathetic feature of his tragically sudden death is the fact that Mr. Dunville intended to pay a visit to his only surviving brother Mr. W.G. Dunville who is living in Australia. The Head Office of Dunville and Co. in Belfast and also the London Office will be closed on Monday as a mark of sympathy.

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LAST MODIFIED: 16 FEBRUARY 2005