Hervey Rhodes, Baron Rhodes facts for kids
Hervey Rhodes, Baron Rhodes (born August 12, 1895 – died September 11, 1987) was an important British politician from the Labour Party. He was known for his service in both World War I and World War II, and later for his work in the British government.
Rhodes was born in Saddleworth, a town in the West Riding of Yorkshire. He went to school at St Mary's School in Greenfield and then studied at Huddersfield Technical College. Before his political career, he worked in the wool industry.
Serving in World War I
During the First World War, Hervey Rhodes joined the army. He served with the King's Own Royal Lancashire Regiment and later the Yorkshire Regiment.
He then joined the Royal Flying Corps, which was the air force before the Royal Air Force was created. He worked as an observer and gunner in a plane called the RE 8 with No. 12 Squadron. Their main jobs were to look for enemy positions and help guide artillery fire.
Rhodes and his pilot, Lieutenant Croye Pithey, were a very successful team. They were credited with destroying five enemy aircraft and causing five more to go "out of control." For his bravery and skill, Rhodes was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and a Bar (which means he won it a second time).
In September 1918, he was badly wounded and walked with a limp for the rest of his life. He left the military as a Lieutenant-Colonel.
Leading in World War II
When the Second World War began, Hervey Rhodes was a mill-owner and a local council leader in Saddleworth. In 1940, he became a commanding officer for the Local Defence Volunteers (LDV). This group was formed to protect Britain from the German army, which had taken over much of Europe.
At first, the LDV was not very well equipped. People even joked that LDV stood for "Look, Duck & Vanish"! But soon, the name was changed to the Home Guard. Members were given rifles, uniforms, and proper officers.
Hervey Rhodes became the commanding officer of the 36th (West Riding) Battalion of the Duke of Wellington's Regiment. Even with his limp, he visited his troops, always with his stick and pipe. His battalion soon received better weapons like Thompson and Sten sub-machine guns. Rhodes led this battalion until the Home Guard was no longer needed.
A Career in Politics
After his military service, Hervey Rhodes focused on his political career, while also managing his business in Delph.
In the 1945 general election, he tried to become a Member of Parliament (MP) for Royton but was not successful. However, a few months later, he won a special election for the Ashton-under-Lyne area. This made him an MP for the Labour Party.
Rhodes worked as a special assistant to Hilary Marquand, who was a government minister. In 1950, Rhodes was promoted to a more senior role as Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade. He held this position until the Labour Party lost the election in 1951.
He continued to serve as an MP until the 1964 general election. After this, he was given a special honour and became a life peer on September 14, 1964. This meant he became Baron Rhodes, of Saddleworth.
Lord Rhodes continued to serve in government, again as Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade, from 1964 to 1967. He also held important local roles, such as Lord Lieutenant of Lancashire from 1968. He was made a Privy Counsellor in 1969 and a Knight of the Garter in 1972, which are very high honours. From 1974, he was also a Deputy-Lord Lieutenant of Greater Manchester.
Hervey Rhodes passed away in Oldham at the age of 92.
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See also
- Ashton-under-Lyne (UK Parliament constituency)
- Ashton-under-Lyne by-election, 1945
