Sir John Simeon, 4th Baronet

He was born at Swainston Manor[b] in West Wight on 31 August 1850 and succeeded his father, the 3rd baronet, in 1870.

[1][2] He served as Ensign in the Rifle Brigade until he married Isabella Mary, daughter of the Hon Ralph Heanage Dutton, in 1872.

[1] In 1880 he became private secretary to the Rt Hon John Bright, MP, and entered parliament himself in 1895 as a Liberal Unionist.

Shortly after his election he commissioned a private railway station[3] at Watchingwell, some four miles (6 km) west of Newport.

[4] On 5 December 1903 he was appointed Honorary Colonel of the Southampton-based 1st Hampshire Royal Garrison Artillery (Volunteers).