Sir John McEwen, 1st Baronet facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sir
John McEwen
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| Member of Parliament for Berwick and Haddington |
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| In office 1931–1945 |
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| Preceded by | George Sinkinson |
| Succeeded by | John Robertson |
| Lord Commissioner of the Treasury |
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| In office 1942–1944 |
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| Prime Minister | Winston Churchill |
| Under-Secretary of State for Scotland |
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| In office 1939–1940 |
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| Prime Minister | Neville Chamberlain |
| Preceded by | Henry Wedderburn |
| Succeeded by | Joseph Westwood |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
John Helias Finnie McEwen
21 June 1894 |
| Died | 19 March 1962 (aged 67) |
| Political party | Conservative |
| Spouses |
Brigid Mary Lindley
(m. 1923) |
| Children | 7, including Rory, Mary |
| Parents | Robert Finnie McEwen Mary Frances Dundas |
| Residence | Marchmont House |
| Alma mater | Eton College Trinity College, Cambridge |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Rank | Captain |
| Battles/wars | World War I |
Sir John Helias Finnie McEwen, 1st Baronet (born June 21, 1894 – died April 19, 1962) was a British politician. He was also known as Jock McEwen. He served in the House of Commons as a Conservative MP. He represented the area of Berwick and Haddington from 1931 to 1945.
Contents
Who Was Sir John McEwen?
Sir John McEwen was the son of Robert Finnie McEwen. His family lived at Marchmont in Berwickshire, Scotland. His mother was Mary Frances Dundas.
Sir John's Education and Family Life
He went to two well-known schools. First, he studied at Eton College. After that, he attended Trinity College, Cambridge.
Sir John had a sister named Katherine Isobel McEwen. She married Roger Lumley in 1922. They had five children together.
Sir John's Career and Public Service
Sir John McEwen had an interesting career. He served in the military and worked as a diplomat. Later, he became a politician.
Serving in the Military
During the First World War, he joined the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders. He became a captain in 1915. Later, he moved to the Royal Flying Corps, which was an early air force. He was captured during the war and became a prisoner.
Working as a Diplomat
After the war, Sir John joined the Diplomatic Service. This meant he worked for the government in other countries. In 1920, he was a 3rd Secretary. By 1925, he was a 2nd Secretary. He worked in London, Athens, and Rome.
Becoming a Member of Parliament
In 1929, he tried to become a Member of Parliament for Berwick-upon-Tweed and Haddington. He did not win that election. However, two years later, in 1931, he was elected. He became a Conservative MP for Berwick and Haddington. He held this position until 1945, when he lost the election.
Roles in Government
Sir John McEwen held several important roles in the government.
- He was an Assistant Government Whip from 1938 to 1939 under Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain. A whip helps make sure party members vote together.
- He served as Under-Secretary of State for Scotland from 1939 to 1940. This role involved helping to manage Scottish affairs.
- Under Prime Minister Winston Churchill, he was a Lord of the Treasury from 1942 to 1944. This meant he helped manage government money.
- From December 1944 to June 1945, he was Chairman of the Conservative Members' Committee in the House of Commons.
What is a Baronetcy?
In 1953, Sir John McEwen was given a special title. He was made a baronet by Queen Elizabeth II. This title is passed down through the family. His full title became Sir John McEwen, 1st Baronet, of Marchmont and Bardrochat.
Passing Down the Title
When Sir John died in 1962, his eldest son, Sir James, became the 2nd Baronet. When Sir James died in 1971, the title went to his brother, Sir Robert. This happened because Sir James had no sons, only daughters. Today, the current holder of the title is Sir John Roderick Hugh McEwen, the 5th Baronet, who was born in 1965.
Sir John's Personal Life
In 1923, Sir John McEwen married Brigid Mary Lindley. Her father was Sir Francis Oswald Lindley, a British diplomat. Her grandfather, John Lindley, was a famous botanist. He helped save The Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew from being destroyed.
Sir John and Brigid raised their family at Marchmont House. This historic home is located in Scotland. They had seven children together:
- Sir James Napier Finnie McEwen (1924–1971)
- Sir Robert Lindley McEwen (1926–1980)
- Christian Mary McEwen (1929–2006)
- Roderick McEwen (1932–1982), who was a folk singer.
- Alexander Dundas McEwen (1935–2008), a musician.
- David Fraser McEwen (1938–1976)
- John Sebastian McEwen (born 1942)
Sir John McEwen passed away in April 1962 at the age of 67.
Images for kids
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Sir John McEwen in 1937.
