In 1845, a prominent new name is established in Berkhamsted history. The younger brother of Augustus Smith, Robert Algernon Smith marries Mary Ann Drever, a daughter of the wealthy, high-standing Dorrien Family. Among Mary Ann’s ancestors are John Dorrien, a German merchant banker and chairman of the East India Company, and George Dorrien, Governor of the Bank of England 1818–1820. Robert changes his surname to Smith-Dorrien by Royal Licence, assuming the prestigious family name of his mother-in-law.
The Smith-Dorriens have 15 children, establishing an influential dynasty of Berkhamsted gentry. They live at Haresfoot near Berkhamsted. Robert serves as a churchwarden of St Peter’s 1862-1879, and plays a key role in the Butterfield restoration. Among their offspring are several notable figures. Thomas Algernon Smith-Dorrien-Smith, succeeds his Uncle Augustus as Lord Proprietor of the Isles of Scilly, while his brothers see distinguished military service. General Sir Horace Lockwood Smith-Dorrien serves in the Second Boer War and World War I, and later becomes Governor of Gibraltar, while two other brothers serve in the Royal Navy: Lieut. Commander Henry Theophilus Smith-Dorrien and Rear Admiral Arthur Hale Smith Dorrien. Horace’s wife Olive founds a Hospital Bag Fund in support of wounded soldiers during WWI. The last Lord Proprietor of the Isles of Scilly is Major Arthur Algernon Dorrien-Smith.
Although the Smith-Dorriens leave Berkhamsted after WWI, many memorials, adornments and stained-glass windows can be found today all around St Peter’s which have been donated by the family, bearing witness to their generosity.
