EDWARD GEORGE VILLIERS STANLEY, I ; th earl of Derby (1865 ), was educated at Wellington college, and served in the Grenadier Guards from 1885 to 1895. During the South African War he acted first as press-censor, then as A.D.C. to Lord Roberts. He sat in the House of Commons for West-Houghton, was a Lord of the treasury (1895-19oo), financial secretary to the War Office (1900-03) and postmaster general (19o3–o5) . He was the recipi ent of many honours, including the Garter (1914). In Oct. 1915 he became director of recruiting for the army, and as such was responsible for a new scheme for a final effort on behalf of voluntary service known as the Derby scheme. In Feb. 1916 Lord Derby became chairman of the naval and military air service joint committee, but resigned in April, becoming under-secretary for war in July. On the formation of D. Lloyd George's Government in Dec. 1916 he became secretary for war, and in April 1918 was appointed British ambassador to France. He retired from the latter office in Nov. 192o. In Oct. 1922 he became secretary for war in Bonar Law's cabinet, retaining this position under Baldwin until Jan. 1924.