Walter Womersley facts for kids
Sir Walter James Womersley (born February 5, 1878 – died March 15, 1961) was a British politician. He belonged to the Conservative Party. He is best known for being the Minister of Pensions during World War II. This job meant he was in charge of helping people who were injured or affected by the war, like soldiers and their families.
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Early Life and Start in Business
Walter Womersley was born in Bradford, Yorkshire. His father was a carter, someone who drove a cart. Walter started working very young, at just 10 years old, in a mill. He worked part-time while still a child.
As he grew up, he became a very successful businessman. He was a senior partner in a company in Grimsby that sold jewelry and other goods. In 1922, he became the Mayor of Grimsby, which means he was the main leader of the town.
Becoming a Member of Parliament
In the 1924 general election, Walter Womersley was elected as a Member of Parliament (MP) for the Grimsby area. An MP is someone who is chosen by people to represent them in the country's government, called Parliament.
During his time as an MP, he held several important roles:
- He was a Junior Lord of the Treasury, which involved helping with the country's money matters.
- He was a Parliamentary Private Secretary to Sir Kingsley Wood, helping him with his work.
- From 1935 to 1939, he was the Assistant Postmaster General, helping to manage the postal service.
He was also known as "Fish Womersley" because he strongly supported fishermen and their industry.
Minister During World War II
In 1939, when World War II began, Sir Walter Womersley became the Minister of Pensions. He was the only government minister who kept the same job throughout the entire war, from 1939 to 1945. This shows how important his role was in supporting people during a very difficult time.
After the war, in the 1945 general election, he lost his seat as an MP for Grimsby. He was the last Conservative MP for Grimsby until 2019, when Lia Nici was elected.
Awards and Recognition
Walter Womersley received several honors for his service:
- He was made a Knight in 1934, which means he was given the title "Sir."
- In 1945, he received a special title called a baronet.
- In 1946, he was given an award from Denmark called the Order of the Dannebrog. He received this for his help to the Danish fishing industry and fishermen, especially during the war.
Family Life
Sir Walter Womersley's daughter, Dorothy Moseley (1911–2003), also became involved in politics. She worked in local government in Market Harborough, Leicestershire.
