Diana Elles, Baroness Elles facts for kids

Diana Louie Elles, also known as Baroness Elles (born July 19, 1921 – died October 17, 2009), was an important British woman. She was a lawyer, worked for the United Nations, and was a representative in the European Parliament for more than ten years. Her son is James Elles.

Growing Up and Early Life

Diana was born as Diana Newcombe in Bedford, England. Her father, Colonel Stewart Francis Newcombe, was a close friend of T.E.Lawrence, also known as Lawrence of Arabia. T.E. Lawrence was even the godfather to Diana's brother.

Diana went to private schools in London, Paris, and Florence. She then studied at the University of London, where she earned a degree in French and Italian in 1941.

Serving During World War II

During the Second World War, Diana Elles joined the Women's Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF). She became a Flight Officer in 1944. She was very good at math and worked at Bletchley Park. This was a secret place where skilled people worked to break enemy codes. Diana was part of a team that helped break these codes. In 1944, she also took a special course in Japanese at Bletchley Park.

Career in England

After the war, Diana Elles became a lawyer in 1956. She worked to help people in the community. She also directed the National Institute of Houseworkers, which opened a training college in 1963.

Leading Women's Groups

In 1970, Diana became the head of the British section of the European Union of Women. Three years later, she led the entire organization. This group worked to bring women together across Europe.

Becoming a Baroness

In 1972, Edward Heath, who was the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom at the time, made her a life peer. This meant she became a Baroness for life. On May 2, she was given the title Baroness Elles, of the City of Westminster.

When the Labour Party took power in 1974, Baroness Elles became a spokesperson for foreign and European affairs in the House of Lords. This is part of the UK Parliament.

Later Roles and Support

From 1977 to 1986, she was a council member of the Royal Institute of International Affairs. She also served as a governor of the University of Reading until 1996. Diana Elles supported many good causes. She was a trustee for the Industry and Parliament Trust and the Caldecott Community. The Caldecott Community helps children who need care. After she retired from politics, she spent her time supporting the British Institute of Florence.

Working on the World Stage

Diana Elles also had an important career working with other countries.

Work with the United Nations

In 1972, she joined the British group at the United Nations General Assembly. This is where countries discuss global issues. A year later, she joined a special UN group that worked to prevent discrimination and protect minorities. In 1975, she was named the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights. This meant she investigated human rights issues around the world. She left her roles with the UN in 1979.

Role in the European Parliament

In 1973, Edward Heath also sent her to the European Parliament. This is where laws for European countries are made. She led the international office there until 1978.

In 1979, the European Parliament held its first direct elections. Diana Elles won a seat for the Conservative Party in the Thames Valley area. She was re-elected in 1984 for another five years, along with her son James Elles.

From 1982, she served as the Parliament's vice-president. She tried to become the president two years later but was not successful. She left the Parliament in 1989. After leaving politics, she worked for a law firm in Belgium.

Family Life

In 1945, Diana married Neil Patrick Moncrieff Elles. They had two children: Elizabeth Rosamund, born in 1947, and James Edmund Moncrieff, born in 1949. Her husband passed away before her. Diana Elles died on October 17, 2009, at the age of 88.

Her Books

Diana Elles wrote several books during her life, including:

• The Housewife and The Common Market (1971)
• Procedural Aspects of Competition Law (1975)
• UN Human Rights of Non-Citizens (1984)
• Legal Issues of the Maastricht Treaty (1995)
• European and World Trade Law (1996)