Patricia Buller

Patricia Buller dovetailed her fencing career with that of studying art, and she eventually became a proficient artist, specialising in portraits and still-life, exhibiting in the London and Sussex areas.

Buller’s success as a fencer started in 1948 when she won the British junior title, and within two years was competing with the leading fencers of the day. In 1950, she finished third in the coveted Desprez Challenge Cup, won by Gillian Sheen. The following year Buller was runner-up to Sheen in the Desprez Cup, and at the British Ladies Foil Championship, was third behind Sheen and Mary Glen-Haig. Also in 1951, Buller made her Great Britain international début in Sweden at the World Championships. Buller was selected for the individual foil at the 1952 Helsinki Olympics, but was eliminated at the quarter-final stage.

Buller came from an influential family. She was the daughter of Admiral Sir Henry and Lady Hermoine Buller. Sir Henry was an extra equerry to His Majesty King George VI. In October 1952 Buller married Commander Peter William Beckwith Ashmore at Shipley, Sussex, and the wedding was attended by three leading members of the Royal Family; Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, her sister Princess Margaret, and The Queen Mother.

Ashmore was also an equerry to King George VI for two years before becoming an extra equerry to Queen Elizabeth II, and between 1973 and 1986 was Master of Household. Despite his loyal service at Buckingham Palace, Ashmore found unwanted fame in 1982 when intruder Michael Fagan broke into the Palace and sat on the Queen’s bed talking to Her Majesty. It was through the window of Ashmore’s office that Fagan broke in. Following a knighthood being bestowed upon her husband, Patricia Buller became Lady Ashmore.