Leopold Ernest Stratford George Canning, 4th Baron Garvagh

Leopold Ernest Stratford George Canning, 4th Baron Garvagh (21 July 1878 – 16 July 1956) was a British nobleman, motorist, fighter pilot and politician, being the co-founder of the British Fascisti alongside Rotha Lintorn-Orman in 1923.

Biography Canning was among the first motorists in Ireland – he imported a six hp Panhard to Ireland from France in 1898. Later he participated in several auto races using motor-powered tricycles. He was also among the founders of the Motor Cycle Union of Ireland and the Irish Automobile Club. Motoring Annual and Motorist’s Year Book 1904 records him owning four Ormonde motorcycles and having high hopes about the future of motor industry in Britain.

Canning became a lieutenant in the 2nd Battalion of the Highland Light Infantry and participated in the First World War. He later transferred to the Royal Flying Corps, having also been a founder member of the Aéro-Club de France.

On 8 January 1915 Canning's father died, and he succeeded him as Baron Garvagh. Historian Robert Skidelsky characterized the British Fascisti as

Members of the new party, later known as British Fascists, included generals Ormonde Winter, Julian Tyndale-Biscoe, Roland Erskine-Tulloch, James Spens and Thomas Pilcher; admirals Edmund Fremantle, Reginald Tupper and William Ernest Russell Martin; Lieutenant Colonels Daniel Burges and Edward Russell, as well as senior diplomat Arthur Henry Hardinge.

In 1928 Canning became one of the first members of the Fellowship of Nineteenth Century Motorists.

Canning married for the first time in 1904 to Caroline Grace Elizabeth Rube, daughter of Charles Ernest Rube. The marriage was annulled in 1909 due to it not being consummated.

Dora Valerie Patricia Canning (31 October 1919 – 17 May 2002), married Philip Anthony Wellesley-Clark, who was killed in action in the Normandy landings on 6 June 1944 Daphne Rose Canning (born 16 December 1922) Lieutenant Victor Stratford de Redcliffe Canning (7 February 1924 – 7 May 1944), killed in action in Cassino, Italy

Lady Garvagh continued to live at Lyzzick Gate in Millbeck near Keswick, where she died on 27 January 1982.

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