William Westwood, 1st Baron Westwood facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Lord Westwood
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| Born | 28 August 1880 |
| Died | 13 September 1953 |
| Nationality | English |
| Children | William Westwood, 2nd Baron Westwood |
William Westwood, 1st Baron Westwood (born 28 August 1880, died 13 September 1953) was an important figure in British politics. He was a trade unionist, which means he worked to protect the rights of workers. He was also a member of the Labour Party.
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Who Was William Westwood?
William Westwood was born in 1880. His father, also named William Westwood, was from Dundee, Scotland. William Westwood became well-known for his work with trade unions. He later became a Baron, which is a special title in the British system.
Early Life and Career
Westwood started his career helping workers. He joined the Ship Constructors' and Shipwrights' Association. This group helped people who built and repaired ships. He worked his way up in this organization.
A Leader in Trade Unions
From 1913 to 1929, Westwood was a national supervisor. This meant he oversaw the work of the union across the country. He then became the general secretary in 1929. This was a very important leadership role. He held this position until 1945. During World War II, from 1942 to 1945, he was also a chief industrial adviser. This meant he gave advice on industry matters. In 1920, he received an award called the Order of the British Empire (OBE). This award recognized his important work.
Becoming a Baron and Politician
On January 29, 1944, William Westwood received a special honor. He was made a Baron Westwood. This title meant he became a member of the House of Lords. The House of Lords is part of the British Parliament. After this, he joined the Labour government led by Clement Attlee. From 1945 to 1947, he served as a lord-in-waiting. This role meant he helped manage government business in the House of Lords. He also led the Mineral Development Committee from 1946 to 1949. This committee looked at how minerals were used.
Family Life
Lord Westwood was married twice. His first wife was Margaret Young. They married in 1905. Margaret passed away in 1916. He then married Agnes Helen Downie in 1918. Agnes died in 1952. Lord Westwood passed away a year later, in September 1953. He was 73 years old. His eldest son, also named William, became the next Baron Westwood.
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