Donald Kaberry, Baron Kaberry of Adel

Template:Use dmy dates 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.

Biography

Donald 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.

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." 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).

Kaberry was Member of Parliament (MP) for Leeds North West from 1950 to 1983, preceding Dr. Keith Hampson. 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 she was interested in a "return to active politics."

Personal life

Kaberry was created a baronet, of Adel cum Eccup in the City of Leeds, in 1960, 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.

In 1940, Kaberry married Lily, daughter of Edmund Scott of Morley, West Yorkshire, with whom he had three sons.

Death

Kaberry 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. The life barony became extinct on his death while he was succeeded in the baronetcy by his son Christopher.

Representation in drama

Kaberry is portrayed in the 2008 television drama The Long Walk to Finchley, on Margaret Thatcher's early career; he is played by Oliver Ford Davies.

References

• Times Guide to the House of Commons, 1950, 1966 and 1979

External links

• Template:Hansard-contribs