Fred Kershaw, 1st Baron Kershaw
Encyclopedia
Fred Kershaw, 1st Baron Kershaw (6 November 1881-5 February 1961), was a British
Labour
politician.
Kershaw was the son of John Joseph Kershaw of Prestwich
, Lancashire
. He was Governor of Westminster Hospital
, Chairman of Gordon Hospital, Vice-President of the Workers' Temperance League and a Founder Member of the Manor House Hospital. In 1947 he was raised to the peerage as Baron Kershaw, of Prestwich in the County Palatine of Lancaster. He then served in the Labour government
of Clement Attlee
as a Lord-in-Waiting
(government whip in the House of Lords
) from 1949 to 1951. He was also a Deputy Speaker of the House of Lords.
Lord Kershaw married Frances Edith, daughter of James Thomas Wigmore, in 1903. She died in 1960. Lord Kershaw survived her by a year and died in February 1961, aged 79. He was succeeded in the barony by his eldest son Herbert.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
Labour
Labour Party (UK)
The Labour Party is a centre-left democratic socialist party in the United Kingdom. It surpassed the Liberal Party in general elections during the early 1920s, forming minority governments under Ramsay MacDonald in 1924 and 1929-1931. The party was in a wartime coalition from 1940 to 1945, after...
politician.
Kershaw was the son of John Joseph Kershaw of Prestwich
Prestwich
Prestwich is a town within the Metropolitan Borough of Bury, in Greater Manchester, England. It lies close to the River Irwell, north of Manchester city centre, north of Salford and south of Bury....
, Lancashire
Lancashire
Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
. He was Governor of Westminster Hospital
Westminster Hospital
Westminster Hospital was a hospital in London, England, founded in 1719. In 1834 a medical school attached to the hospital was formally founded....
, Chairman of Gordon Hospital, Vice-President of the Workers' Temperance League and a Founder Member of the Manor House Hospital. In 1947 he was raised to the peerage as Baron Kershaw, of Prestwich in the County Palatine of Lancaster. He then served in the Labour government
Labour Government 1945-1951
The Labour Party came to power in the United Kingdom after their unexpected victory in the July 1945 general elections. Party leader Clement Attlee became Prime Minister and hastily replaced his predecessor Winston Churchill at the Potsdam Conference in late July. Ernest Bevin was Foreign Secretary...
of Clement Attlee
Clement Attlee
Clement Richard Attlee, 1st Earl Attlee, KG, OM, CH, PC, FRS was a British Labour politician who served as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1945 to 1951, and as the Leader of the Labour Party from 1935 to 1955...
as a Lord-in-Waiting
Lord-in-Waiting
Most Lords in Waiting are Government whips in the House of Lords who are members of the Royal Household of the Sovereign of the United Kingdom. As members of the Royal Household their duties are nominal, though they are occasionally required to meet visiting political and state leaders on visits...
(government whip in the House of Lords
House of Lords
The House of Lords is the upper house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Like the House of Commons, it meets in the Palace of Westminster....
) from 1949 to 1951. He was also a Deputy Speaker of the House of Lords.
Lord Kershaw married Frances Edith, daughter of James Thomas Wigmore, in 1903. She died in 1960. Lord Kershaw survived her by a year and died in February 1961, aged 79. He was succeeded in the barony by his eldest son Herbert.