Francis Willey, 1st Baron Barnby

Francis Willey, 1st Baron Barnby (27 February 1841 – 16 February 1929) was an English wool merchant.

"Francis Willey" redirects here. For his son, Francis Vernon Willey, see Vernon Willey, 2nd Baron Barnby.

Willey was born in Bradford and joined his father's wool business, which later became Francis Willey & Co Ltd and had agencies all over the Dominions and the United States. Willey was also a great horseman, huntsman and racehorse owner. He was created Baron Barnby in the 1922 New Year Honours.[1]

Willey was commissioned Sub-Lieutenant in the 2nd West Riding of Yorkshire Artillery Volunteers in December 1874.[2] He was promoted Major in May 1888[3] and resigned in April 1891.[4]

His seat was Blyth Hall, Nottinghamshire. He was appointed High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire for 1908. He was succeeded in the barony by his only son, Vernon.

His encounter in Perth Sheriff's Court, with Francis Metcalfe, is described in The River Runs Red by Mark Bridgeman, published in 2020.

Coat of arms of Francis Willey, 1st Baron Barnby

Crest In front of a reindeer’s head erased Proper two crosses patée Gules. Escutcheon Per pale Or and Gules three chevronels counterchanged over all a pale Ermine charged with three martlets Sable. Supporters On either side a reindeer Proper charged on the shoulder with a rose Gules. Motto Propositi Tenax [5]

Footnotes

1. "No. 32563". The London Gazette (Supplement). 30 December 1921. p. 10709.
2. "No. 24162". The London Gazette. 15 December 1874. p. 6227.
3. "No. 25812". The London Gazette. 1 May 1888. p. 2471.
4. "No. 26153". The London Gazette. 17 April 1891. p. 2119.
5. Burke's Peerage. 1959.

References

• Obituary, The Times, 18 February 1929

Peerage of the United Kingdom
Preceded by New Creation	Baron Barnby 1922–1929	Succeeded by Vernon Willey