Bill Deedes facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Lord Deedes
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| Minister without Portfolio | |
| In office 13 July 1962 – 16 October 1964 |
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| Prime Minister | |
| Preceded by | The Lord Mills |
| Succeeded by | Eric Fletcher |
| Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Housing and Local Government | |
| In office 18 October 1954 – 20 December 1955 |
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| Prime Minister | |
| Preceded by | Ernest Marples |
| Succeeded by | Enoch Powell |
| Member of the House of Lords Lord Temporal |
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| In office 23 September 1986 – 17 August 2007 Life peerage |
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| Member of Parliament for Ashford |
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| In office 23 February 1950 – 20 September 1974 |
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| Preceded by | Edward Percy Smith |
| Succeeded by | Keith Speed |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
William Francis Deedes
1 June 1913 Hampstead, London, England |
| Died | 17 August 2007 (aged 94) Aldington, Kent, England |
| Political party | Conservative |
| Spouse |
Evelyn Branfort
(died 2004) |
| Children | 5 |
| Relatives |
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| Education | Harrow School |
| Military career | |
| Service/ |
 British Army |
| Years of service | World War II |
| Rank | Major |
| Service number | 90126 |
| Awards |  Military Cross |
William Francis Deedes, Baron Deedes (born June 1, 1913 – died August 17, 2007) was a well-known British politician, army officer, and journalist. He was a member of the Conservative Party. William Deedes was the first person in Britain to have been both a government minister and the editor of a major newspaper, The Daily Telegraph.
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Early Life and Education
William Deedes was born in Hampstead, London, in 1913. He was the only son of Herbert William Deedes and Melesina Gladys. His family lived at Saltwood Castle until 1925.
He went to Harrow School. However, his family faced money problems after the Wall Street Crash of 1929. This meant he had to leave school earlier than planned. He finished his exams with a private tutor.
Starting His Career in Journalism
Because of his family's financial difficulties, William Deedes could not go to university. He started his career as a reporter in 1931. He worked for the Morning Post newspaper.
In 1937, The Daily Telegraph took over the Morning Post. William Deedes then joined The Daily Telegraph. He lived in Bethnal Green with his uncle, Wyndham Deedes, before World War II began.
Serving in World War II
William Deedes joined the British Army in June 1939. He became an officer in the 2nd Battalion, Queen's Westminsters. This was a Territorial Army unit of the King's Royal Rifle Corps.
He fought in the Second World War and showed great bravery. In April 1945, he earned the Military Cross near Hengelo, in the Netherlands. He became a Major during the war. He was the only officer to serve in his battalion for the entire war. His unit helped the 8th Armoured Brigade in Europe.
Life in Politics
William Deedes came from a family with a long history of public service. He was proud that a Deedes had been a member of parliament in every century since 1600.
He was elected as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Ashford in 1950. He was a Conservative MP. He first worked as a junior minister under Prime Minister Winston Churchill.
Later, in 1962, he joined Harold Macmillan's government. He became a Minister without Portfolio. This meant he was a minister without a specific department. He left the government in 1964. He stepped down as an MP in 1974.
Newspaper Editor and Public Figure
William Deedes became the editor of The Daily Telegraph in 1974. He held this important role until 1986. After that, he continued to work as a journalist.
He was known for his strong opinions on social and political issues. He wrote newspaper columns until he was very old. In his later years, he became popular with a new audience. This was after he appeared on the TV show Have I Got News for You. He was the oldest guest on the show for many years.
William Deedes also worked as an ambassador for UNICEF starting in 1998. He led important campaigns against landmines. He continued writing almost until his death. His last article, published in August 2007, was about Darfur.
Personal Life
William Deedes was married to Evelyn Hilary Branfoot. She passed away in 2004. They had two sons and three daughters.
He was a committed Christian. He lived a simple life in Romney Marsh, Kent. He preferred to use public transport whenever he could.
In 1986, he was given the title of Baron Deedes. This meant he became a life peer in the House of Lords. However, he always preferred to be called "Bill" instead of "Lord Deedes". In 1998, he was featured on the TV show This Is Your Life.
His son, Jeremy Deedes, is involved with the Telegraph Group. His daughter, Lucy Deedes, is the mother of magician Drummond Money-Coutts and journalist Sophia Money-Coutts.
Death
William Deedes died at his home in Aldington on August 17, 2007. He was 94 years old. He passed away from bronchopneumonia. There is a street named after him in Aldington, called Bill Deedes Way.
Images for kids
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Coronet of a British Baron
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Deedes family coat of arms
