Orlando Oxford in 1916.
Orlando Oxford, Duke of Oxford (1865 - 1938) was a British noblemen and diplomat who founded the Kingsman Agency during World War I.
Biography[]
In his younger years, British aristocrat Orlando, Duke of Oxford, wanting to serve his country, became a soldier and received the Victoria's Cross for his actions in Afghanistan. However, he realized they were invading and killing people who were just trying to defend their homeland, which caused him to swear off fighting, instead joining the Red Cross and bringing humanitarian aid to those in need.
In 1902, Orlando, his wife Emily, and their young son Conrad, visited a Second Boer War concentration camp while working for the British Red Cross. Emily was mortally wounded during a Boer sniper attack on the camp.
Twelve years later, in 1914, Orlando, having become disillusioned with politicians and established military leaders and the way in which they dealt with domestic and international threats and injustice, decided to channel his enormous wealth and influence into combating these threats himself, and to that end, he recruited two members of his staff to aid him in his endeavours; his personal maid Polly Wilkins and his Nigerian aide-de-camp Shola.
His son Conrad had become determined to fight for his country and be a solider. However, Orlando was determined to maintain his promise to Emily, and kept Conrad at their home. Orlando later took Conrad to the Kingsman Tailor Shop for his first suit, where he met up with his old friend, Herbert Kitchener, and his right hand man, Morton. At the behest of Kitchener, Conrad and Orlando travel to Orlando's friend Archduke Franz Ferdinand.
In the aftermath of World War One, Orlando decided to officially establish his own private intelligence agency, and purchased controlling interest in the Kingsman Tailors company and repurposed its London branch as their primary meeting place to cover their activities and disguise their true purpose.