WILLIAM CROSS WRITES: Biography of Tom Mitford. Sex and Scandal

A TRIBUTE TO

THE HON. THOMAS DAVID FREEMAN-MITFORD

A NEW BOOK FROM WILLIAM CROSS, FSA SCOT

Tom Mitford died 80 years ago this year (2025) on Good Friday, 30 March 1945. It is therefore a most fitting time to give him a retrospective glance, a biographical sketch, and this is why this narrative has been compiled.

It first takes the form and outline of a chronology/timeline from Tom’s birth in 1909 onwards, through his early childhood days growing up in wartime London, then to the Cotswolds countryside alongside his somewhat dysfunctional parents and sisters. Then, in 1919, on to prep School at Locker’s Park, Hemel Hempstead, where he made several friends for life amongst his contemporaries, some of whom are themselves minor historical figures. Next, in 1922, onward to Eton College, and in 1928 to Tom’s serious study of music and law and facing the growing pangs of temptation and love in Hungary, Austria and Germany, followed by his return home to train at the bar and become a barrister, and was some time a Judge.

Later on in the 1930s Tom’s glorified chaperone role to serve his Nazi-loving sisters Diana and Unity in sometimes driving them though Nazi Germany where he was compelled to meet Adolf Hitler and attend propaganda rallies. Drawn into the politics of the time in the flare path of his sisters’ alarming beliefs, he does seem vulnerable to accusations of sharing more than a curiosity about the Nazis, particularly based on some pro-Nazi remarks he made in the 1940s, a confession of his beliefs to an old school friend, James Lees-Milne. That disclosure has been taken as confirming Tom’s much truer posture, yet it may also be an example of Tom’s ability to twist things round so that people hear what they want to hear.

Other aspects of Tom’s life are considered, too. Central to them is his branding as being a pleasure-seeker of sexual experiences, some of them on the edge of being decadent and depraved. Tom’s many “love” (read carnal) affairs with men and women are covered. Also previously unpublished letters, written by Tom in his long, fiery relationship with the Austrian ballet dancer Tilly Losch.

Besides all that, there is passing mention of some of Tom’s court cases as a lawyer, and as Judge Advocate presiding over Army Court Martials. Also his Territorial Army days, his wartime exploits and his weeks in the jungle in Burma before being hit by a sniper’s bullet.

THE MEMORIAL TO TOM MITFORD AT ST MARY'S CHURCH, SWINBROOK

ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE BOOK PLEASE EMAIL THE COMPILER WILLIAM CROSS

williecross@aol.com

THE BOOK CAN BE BOUGHT ON EBAY

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/205693505961

WILLIAM CROSS WRITES

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Monday, 17 March 2025

TOM MITFORD : A FEARFUL OLD TWISTER