[6] Although the history of Test cricket between England and Australia dates from 1877, it was after an English team led by Monkey Hornby lost to the Australians at The Oval in 1882, that The Sporting Times newspaper wrote a mock obituary to English cricket, noting that the body would be cremated and the ashes sent to Australia.

The year after his succession to the family titles, Lord Darnley was appointed a deputy lieutenant[11] and justice of the peace for Kent.

[3] He was appointed Honorary Colonel of the 4th Volunteer Battalion, The Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment) on 16 July 1902.

[14] Lord Darnley died at Shorne, Kent in April 1927, aged 68, being succeeded in the family titles by his eldest son, Esmé.

His wife, 'Florence, Dowager Countess of Darnley', presented the urn to the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) after her husband's death.

[citation needed] Ivo Bligh is buried in the family vault at the collegiate church of St Mary Magdalene, Cobham, Kent.