Thomas Sandys (Conservative politician) facts for kids
Colonel Thomas Myles Sandys (born May 12, 1837 – died October 18, 1911) was an important British army officer. He also became a politician for the Conservative Party. He served in the House of Commons, which is like the main meeting place for politicians in the UK, from 1885 to 1911.
Early Life and Army Career
Thomas Sandys was born in Blackheath, London. He was the only son of Captain Thomas Sandys, who served in the Royal Navy. Thomas went to Shrewsbury School for his education.
After school, he joined the army. He became an officer in the 73rd Bengal Native Infantry. This was a military group that worked for the Honourable East India Company. He fought in the Indian Rebellion of 1857.
Later, he joined the regular British Army. He served in the 7th (or Royal Fusiliers) Regiment of Foot for twenty years. He retired from the army with the rank of captain.
Life in Lancashire
After leaving the regular army, Thomas Sandys moved. He went to his family's old home, Graythwaite Hall, near Ulverston. This area was in Lancashire at the time. He even had the gardens at Graythwaite Hall redesigned by a famous person named Thomas Hayton Mawson.
He stayed involved with the army even after retiring. He became an honorary colonel for two different army groups. These were the 3rd (Militia) Battalion and the 1st Volunteer Battalion of the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment.
Thomas Sandys was also a very strong Protestant. He became the Grand Master of the Loyal Orange Lodge of England. He was also a deputy lieutenant for the county of Lancashire. This meant he helped represent the King or Queen in the county.
Mining and Politics
In 1852, Thomas Sandys leased the rights to mine on his land at Roanhead. He rented these rights to a company called Kennedy Brothers. The mines there were very successful. They produced a lot of materials until 1942.
In 1885, a new law created a new area for politicians to represent. This area was called Bootle. Thomas Sandys was chosen to be the first Member of Parliament (MP) for Bootle. An MP is a person elected to represent their local area in the House of Commons.
He kept his seat in Parliament in many elections. Sometimes, he was even elected without anyone running against him. He stopped being an MP in March 1911.
Later Life and Death
Thomas Sandys passed away later in 1911. He was 74 years old. He died at his home in London, on Jermyn Street. He is buried at Brookwood Cemetery in Surrey.
