Edward Dudley Metcalfe, MVO, MC, (1887–1957), known as Fruity Metcalfe, was an officer in the British Indian Army and a close friend and equerry of Edward VIII.[1]
Metcalfe was commissioned into the Indian Army in 1907 and joined 3rd Skinner's Horse as a Lieutenant in 1909. He was awarded the Military Cross in 1917. He was promoted to Major in 1922 and retired in 1927.
Metcalfe first met Edward VIII when the king, as Prince of Wales was touring India in 1922. Edward was impressed with Metcalfe's knowledge of horses and made him a member of his personal staff.[2]
In 1940, Metcalfe was commissioned a Pilot Officer in the Administrative and Special Duties Branch of the Royal Air Force. He was promoted to Flying Officer in 1941 but resigned his commission in 1942.
With his wife he attended meetings of the January Club[3] (as well as a Fascist Blackshirt dinner at London's Savoy Hotel in May 1934),[4] of which he was a member.[5]
In 1925, Metcalfe married Alexandra Naldera Curzon ("Baba") (1904–1995),[6] 18 years younger than he and the third daughter of George Curzon, 1st Marquess Curzon of Kedleston and Viceroy of India, and Lord Curzon's first wife, the American mercantile heiress Mary Victoria Leiter.
Baba gave him a son, David Metcalfe, and twin daughters. They divorced in 1955.[7]
Metcalfe's home was a grey stone house in Ashdown Forest, about 40 miles south of London.[8]