Donald Kaberry, Baron Kaberry of Adel, MC, TD (18 August 1907 – 13 March 1991), known as Sir Donald Kaberry, 1st Baronet, from 1960 to 1983, was a Conservative Party politician in the United Kingdom. He served as a Member of Parliament (MP) for 33 years and was later a life peer. In 1990, he was injured in the Carlton Club bombing by the Provisional Irish Republican Army, leading to his death the following year.
The Lord Kaberry of Adel | |
|---|---|
| In office 23 February 1950 – 13 May 1983 | |
| Preceded by | Constituency established |
| Succeeded by | Keith Hampson |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Donald Kaberry 18 August 1907 |
| Died | 13 March 1991 (aged 83) Leeds, England |
| Spouse |
Lily Scott (m. 1940) |
| Children | 3 |
| Profession | Solicitor |
Biography
editDonald Kaberry was the son of Abraham Kaberry. He was educated at Leeds Grammar School and became a solicitor (a partner in Ford and Warren, Leeds) and company director, becoming chairman of W.H. Baxter Ltd and E. Walker & Co Ltd. He served as a councillor on Leeds City Council 1930–50, except for his period of army service during World War II. He was eventually made an honorary Alderman of the City Council. He also served from 1974 as special trustee of the Leeds Teaching Hospitals and in 1976 was made a Deputy Lieutenant of the West Yorkshire metropolitan county.[1]
Kaberry enlisted in the Royal Artillery and commanded a battery at Dunkirk, receiving a Mention in Despatches. The citation at National Archives indicates that the decoration was a Military Cross for "... a courageous example of calm leadership to all ranks."[citation needed] After the war he was, as lieutenant-colonel, president of the military governing board at Hamburg. In 1947 he was awarded the Territorial Decoration (TD).[1]
Kaberry was Member of Parliament (MP) for Leeds North West from 1950 to 1983, preceding Dr. Keith Hampson.[2] He was a member of the Speaker's panel of chairmen in the House of Commons and an assistant government whip from 1952 to 1955 and parliamentary secretary at the Board of Trade 1955. He served as Conservative Party Vice-Chairman Organisation, 1955–61, and chairman of the Association of Conservative Clubs in 1961. During his time as vice-chairman, he was in position to receive a note from future British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher following the birth of her twin children informing him that Thatcher was interested in a "return to active politics."[3]
Personal life
editHe was created a baronet, of Adel cum Eccup in the City of Leeds, in 1960,[4] and on his retirement from the House of Commons in 1983 he was made a life peer as Baron Kaberry of Adel, of Adel in the City of Leeds.[5]
Kaberry married in 1940 Lily, daughter of Edmund Scott of Morley, West Yorkshire, by whom he had three sons.[1]
Death
editLord Kaberry of Adel was injured by smoke inhalation in the IRA bombing of London's Carlton Club in June 1990, leading to a terminal decline in his health which resulted in his death, at Leeds General Infirmary, on 13 March 1991.[6][7] The life barony became extinct on his death while he was succeeded in the baronetcy by his son Christopher.
Legacy
editKaberry appears as a character in The Long Walk to Finchley, on Margaret Thatcher's early career – he is played by Oliver Ford Davies.[8]
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References
edit- ^ a b c Mosley, Charles, ed. (1982). Debrett's Handbook, 1982. Distinguished People in British Life. Debrett's Peerage Limited. p. 857. ISBN 0-905649-38-9.
- ^ "Mr Donald Kaberry, former MP, Leeds North West – TheyWorkForYou". TheyWorkForYou. Retrieved 20 June 2018.
- ^ "1949-59 (candidate): MT to Donald Kaberry (asks to meet) | Margaret Thatcher Foundation". www.margaretthatcher.org. Retrieved 20 June 2018.
- ^ "No. 41945". The London Gazette. 2 February 1960. p. 858.
- ^ "No. 49491". The London Gazette. 28 September 1983. p. 12669.
- ^ "U.K. lawmaker Jo Cox dead after shooting attack". Retrieved 20 June 2018.
- ^ "Lord Kaberry dies". The Times. 14 March 1991. p. 7.
- ^ "Oliver Ford Davies". IMDb. Retrieved 20 June 2018.
- ^ Debrett's Peerage. 1985.
- Times Guide to the House of Commons, 1950, 1966 and 1979
- Leigh Rayment's Peerage Pages [self-published source] [better source needed]
- Leigh Rayment's Historical List of MPs