Wilfred Paling facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Wilfred Paling
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| Postmaster General | |
| In office 17 April 1947 – 28 February 1950 |
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| Prime Minister | Clement Attlee |
| Preceded by | William Hare |
| Succeeded by | Ness Edwards |
| Minister of Pensions | |
| In office 3 August 1945 – 17 April 1947 |
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| Prime Minister | Clement Attlee |
| Preceded by | Walter Womersley |
| Succeeded by | John Hynd |
| Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Pensions | |
| In office 1941–1945 |
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| Preceded by | George Tryon |
| Succeeded by | William Sidney |
| Member of Parliament for Dearne Valley |
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| In office 23 February 1950 – 8 October 1959 |
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| Preceded by | Constituency created |
| Succeeded by | Edwin Wainwright |
| Member of Parliament for Wentworth |
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| In office 1933–1950 |
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| Preceded by | George Henry Hirst |
| Succeeded by | Constituency abolished |
| Member of Parliament for Doncaster |
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| In office 1922–1931 |
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| Preceded by | Reginald Nicholson |
| Succeeded by | Hugh Molson |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Wilfred Paling
7 April 1883 Marehay, Derbyshire, England, UK |
| Died | 17 April 1971 (aged 88) |
| Political party | Labour |
| Spouse | Elizabeth Hunt |
| Children | 2 |
| Alma mater | University of Nottingham |
Wilfred Paling (born April 7, 1883 – died April 17, 1971) was an important British politician. He was a member of the Labour Party.
He was born in Marehay, Derbyshire, England. Wilfred was one of eight children in his family. His father worked as a coal miner.
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Early Life and Education
Wilfred Paling left school at 13 years old. He started working odd jobs. These jobs were with local plumbing and building companies.
His family later moved to Huthwaite in Nottinghamshire. There, Wilfred began working in a coal mine called New Hucknall Colliery. He also went to night classes. These classes were about politics, economics, and the history of trade unions. They were organized by the Workers Educational Association.
Wilfred later won a scholarship. This allowed him to study mining at University College Nottingham.
Starting a Political Career
After college, Wilfred returned to the Nottinghamshire coal mining area. He became an official in the local miners' group. He also joined the Independent Labour Party.
In 1912, he left Nottinghamshire. His union and political work made it hard for him to find a job there. He moved to West Riding of Yorkshire. He started working at Bullcroft Colliery near Doncaster.
Soon after, he was chosen to be on the committee of the Yorkshire Miners' Association. In 1917, he became a "colliery checkweighman." This person makes sure miners are paid fairly for the coal they dig.
Wilfred entered local politics in 1919. He was elected to the West Riding County Council. He also joined the Bentley with Arksey Urban District Council.
Becoming a Member of Parliament
In the 1922 general election, Wilfred Paling was elected as a Member of Parliament (MP). An MP is a person elected to represent a group of people in the UK Parliament. He represented the area of Doncaster.
He was re-elected for Doncaster in 1923, 1924, and 1929. From 1929 to 1931, Paling served as a Junior Lord of the Treasury. This was a role in the government that helped manage money.
He lost his seat in the 1931 general election. Many Labour Party members lost their seats that year. This happened because the National Government gained power.
Returning to Parliament
In 1933, Wilfred Paling returned to the House of Commons. He won a special election in Wentworth without anyone running against him.
He was re-elected for Wentworth in the general elections of 1935 and 1945. In the 1945 election, he had the largest majority of any MP. This meant he won by a very large number of votes.
Government Roles
During World War II, Wilfred Paling joined the wartime government. From 1940, he was a Lord Commissioner of the Treasury. From 1941 to 1945, he was the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Pensions. This role helped manage payments to people who were injured or affected by war.
In 1944, he became a Privy Counsellor. This is a special honor given to important people who advise the King or Queen.
After the war, the Labour Government was formed. Wilfred Paling held two important jobs:
- Minister of Pensions: From 1945 to 1947, he was in charge of the department that handled pensions.
- Postmaster General: From 1947 to 1950, he was responsible for the postal service and communications in the UK.
Later Political Career and Retirement
The Wentworth area he represented changed in 1950. A new area called Dearne Valley was created. Wilfred Paling was elected as the MP for this new area in the 1950 general election. He was re-elected again in 1955.
He retired from Parliament in the 1959 general election.
Personal Life
Wilfred Paling married Elizabeth Hunt. They had two children together. He passed away at his home in Scawthorpe, near Doncaster, in April 1971.
