Tom Boardman, Baron Boardman
Encyclopedia
Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas Gray Boardman, Baron Boardman MC
, TD
, DL
, PC
(12 January 1919 – 10 March 2003) was an English
Conservative
politician and businessman.
Boardman was born into a Northamptonshire
farming family, and lived in the county all his life, becoming Deputy Lieutenant
of the county in 1977, and High Sheriff of Northamptonshire
in 1979.
he served in the 1st Northamptonshire Yeomanry
. He joined the regiment as a trooper
, but was selected for training at Sandhurst and was commissioned as a second lieutenant
in the regiment on 14 September 1940. He won the Military Cross
(MC) in Normandy during Operation Overlord
, in the early part of the operation to trap German forces in the Falaise Pocket
. By this time he was an acting captain
, he was detailed to act as navigator for four armoured columns formed from his own regiment, and 1st battalion Black Watch
, the columns were to take Saint-Aignan-de-Cramesnil
, about 20 kilometres south of Caen
. On 6 and 7 August 1944 he conducted reconnaissance in no man's land
, despite German fire, to allow him to find the route in darkness. He then successfully led the columns forward on the night of 7/8 August, several times dismounting from his tank, and going back on foot to find parts of the columns which had lost touch, again he was under German mortar and machine gun fire. On 8 August his squadron (of which he was second in command) beat off a heavy counter-attack, the citation for his MC gives much of the credit for this, and the destruction of 12 German tanks, to him. His MC was gazetted
on 21 December 1944. Boardman was later the commander of the Yeomanry when they became part of the Territorial Army.
In peacetime he qualified and practised as a solicitor in Northampton
, and served on the boards of several companies, including Allied Breweries
. After two unsuccessful attempts, in a 1967 by-election
he won the parliamentary constituency of Leicester South-West
for the Conservative Party
, holding the seat in the subsequent general election in 1970
.
In 1972, he was made Minister for Industry, and a month before the February 1974 general election
(in which he was elected for the newly reconstituted Leicester South
), he became Chief Secretary to the Treasury
. In the October election of the same year
, he lost his parliamentary seat to the Labour Party
's Jim Marshall
.
for three years from 1977. He joined the board of the National Westminster Bank in 1979, and became chairman in 1983, leaving in 1989 in the wake of the Blue Arrow
scandal. Although not personally implicated in the fraud, and ignorant of any wrongdoing, Boardman chose to resign a few months before his term of office was due to end.
Although he never rejoined the House of Commons
after the 1974 defeat (he applied to become the Tory candidate for the Cities of London and Westminster
constituency, but was rejected), Boardman remained politically involved. In the 1980 Queen's Birthday Honours
, he was made a life peer
as Baron Boardman, of Welford in the County of Northamptonshire
, and the following year he became joint treasurer of the Conservative Party. After leaving the NatWest Bank, he was active in the House of Lords
almost until his death, being on the socially conservative and traditionalist wing of the party. He was a keen huntsman
, riding with the Pytchley Hunt
well into his retirement.
[1967] 2 AC 46 (House of Lords
) a leading case on fiduciary duty and constructive trusts
. Although he was ultimately required to account to the trust for additional benefits that accrued from his actions, the courts commended him for the service he had delivered to the beneficiaries, to whom the court held he owed fiduciary duties.
Military Cross
The Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries....
, TD
Efficiency Decoration
The Efficiency Decoration is a defunct medal of Britain and the Commonwealth awarded for long service in the Territorial Army of the UK, the Indian Volunteer Forces and Colonial Auxiliary Forces....
, DL
Deputy Lieutenant
In the United Kingdom, a Deputy Lieutenant is one of several deputies to the Lord Lieutenant of a lieutenancy area; an English ceremonial county, Welsh preserved county, Scottish lieutenancy area, or Northern Irish county borough or county....
, PC
Privy Council of the United Kingdom
Her Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council, usually known simply as the Privy Council, is a formal body of advisers to the Sovereign in the United Kingdom...
(12 January 1919 – 10 March 2003) was an English
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
Conservative
Conservative Party (UK)
The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House...
politician and businessman.
Boardman was born into a Northamptonshire
Northamptonshire
Northamptonshire is a landlocked county in the English East Midlands, with a population of 629,676 as at the 2001 census. It has boundaries with the ceremonial counties of Warwickshire to the west, Leicestershire and Rutland to the north, Cambridgeshire to the east, Bedfordshire to the south-east,...
farming family, and lived in the county all his life, becoming Deputy Lieutenant
Deputy Lieutenant
In the United Kingdom, a Deputy Lieutenant is one of several deputies to the Lord Lieutenant of a lieutenancy area; an English ceremonial county, Welsh preserved county, Scottish lieutenancy area, or Northern Irish county borough or county....
of the county in 1977, and High Sheriff of Northamptonshire
High Sheriff of Northamptonshire
This is a list of the High Sheriffs of Northamptonshire.The High Sheriff is the oldest secular office under the Crown. Formerly the High Sheriff was the principal law enforcement officer in the county but over the centuries most of the responsibilities associated with the post have been...
in 1979.
Military and political service
During the Second World WarWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
he served in the 1st Northamptonshire Yeomanry
Northamptonshire Yeomanry
The Northamptonshire Yeomanry was a unit of the British Army formed in 1794 as volunteer cavalry, it later served in an armoured role before being reduced to squadron level in 1956...
. He joined the regiment as a trooper
Trooper (rank)
Trooper from the French "troupier" is the equivalent rank to private in a regiment with a cavalry tradition in the British Army and many other Commonwealth armies, including those of Australia, Canada, South Africa and New Zealand. Today, most cavalry units operate in the armoured role, equipped...
, but was selected for training at Sandhurst and was commissioned as a second lieutenant
Second Lieutenant
Second lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer military rank in many armed forces.- United Kingdom and Commonwealth :The rank second lieutenant was introduced throughout the British Army in 1871 to replace the rank of ensign , although it had long been used in the Royal Artillery, Royal...
in the regiment on 14 September 1940. He won the Military Cross
Military Cross
The Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries....
(MC) in Normandy during Operation Overlord
Operation Overlord
Operation Overlord was the code name for the Battle of Normandy, the operation that launched the invasion of German-occupied western Europe during World War II by Allied forces. The operation commenced on 6 June 1944 with the Normandy landings...
, in the early part of the operation to trap German forces in the Falaise Pocket
Falaise pocket
The battle of the Falaise Pocket, fought during the Second World War from 12 to 21 August 1944, was the decisive engagement of the Battle of Normandy...
. By this time he was an acting captain
Captain (OF-2)
The army rank of captain is a commissioned officer rank historically corresponding to command of a company of soldiers. The rank is also used by some air forces and marine forces. Today a captain is typically either the commander or second-in-command of a company or artillery battery...
, he was detailed to act as navigator for four armoured columns formed from his own regiment, and 1st battalion Black Watch
Black Watch
The Black Watch, 3rd Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland is an infantry battalion of the Royal Regiment of Scotland. The unit's traditional colours were retired in 2011 in a ceremony led by Queen Elizabeth II....
, the columns were to take Saint-Aignan-de-Cramesnil
Saint-Aignan-de-Cramesnil
Saint-Aignan-de-Cramesnil is a commune in the Calvados department in the Basse-Normandie region in northwestern France.-Population:-Personalities:...
, about 20 kilometres south of Caen
Caen
Caen is a commune in northwestern France. It is the prefecture of the Calvados department and the capital of the Basse-Normandie region. It is located inland from the English Channel....
. On 6 and 7 August 1944 he conducted reconnaissance in no man's land
No man's land
No man's land is a term for land that is unoccupied or is under dispute between parties that leave it unoccupied due to fear or uncertainty. The term was originally used to define a contested territory or a dumping ground for refuse between fiefdoms...
, despite German fire, to allow him to find the route in darkness. He then successfully led the columns forward on the night of 7/8 August, several times dismounting from his tank, and going back on foot to find parts of the columns which had lost touch, again he was under German mortar and machine gun fire. On 8 August his squadron (of which he was second in command) beat off a heavy counter-attack, the citation for his MC gives much of the credit for this, and the destruction of 12 German tanks, to him. His MC was gazetted
London Gazette
The London Gazette is one of the official journals of record of the British government, and the most important among such official journals in the United Kingdom, in which certain statutory notices are required to be published...
on 21 December 1944. Boardman was later the commander of the Yeomanry when they became part of the Territorial Army.
In peacetime he qualified and practised as a solicitor in Northampton
Northampton
Northampton is a large market town and local government district in the East Midlands region of England. Situated about north-west of London and around south-east of Birmingham, Northampton lies on the River Nene and is the county town of Northamptonshire. The demonym of Northampton is...
, and served on the boards of several companies, including Allied Breweries
Allied Breweries
Allied Breweries was the result of a 1961 merger between Ind Coope , Ansells , and Tetley Walker .- Ansells :...
. After two unsuccessful attempts, in a 1967 by-election
By-election
A by-election is an election held to fill a political office that has become vacant between regularly scheduled elections....
he won the parliamentary constituency of Leicester South-West
Leicester South West (UK Parliament constituency)
Leicester South West was a borough constituency in the city of Leicester. It returned one Member of Parliament to the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom....
for the Conservative Party
Conservative Party (UK)
The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House...
, holding the seat in the subsequent general election in 1970
United Kingdom general election, 1970
The United Kingdom general election of 1970 was held on 18 June 1970, and resulted in a surprise victory for the Conservative Party under leader Edward Heath, who defeated the Labour Party under Harold Wilson. The election also saw the Liberal Party and its new leader Jeremy Thorpe lose half their...
.
In 1972, he was made Minister for Industry, and a month before the February 1974 general election
United Kingdom general election, February 1974
The United Kingdom's general election of February 1974 was held on the 28th of that month. It was the first of two United Kingdom general elections held that year, and the first election since the Second World War not to produce an overall majority in the House of Commons for the winning party,...
(in which he was elected for the newly reconstituted Leicester South
Leicester South (UK Parliament constituency)
Leicester South is a borough constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It elects one Member of Parliament , by the first past the post voting system...
), he became Chief Secretary to the Treasury
Chief Secretary to the Treasury
The Chief Secretary to the Treasury is the third most senior ministerial position in HM Treasury, after the Prime Minister and the Chancellor of the Exchequer . In recent years, the office holder has usually been given a junior position in the British Cabinet...
. In the October election of the same year
United Kingdom general election, October 1974
The United Kingdom general election of October 1974 took place on 10 October 1974 to elect 635 members to the British House of Commons. It was the second general election of that year and resulted in the Labour Party led by Harold Wilson, winning by a tiny majority of 3 seats.The election of...
, he lost his parliamentary seat to the Labour Party
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...
's Jim Marshall
Jim Marshall (UK politician)
James Marshall was a British Labour Party politician.-Education:Marshall was born into a working class family in the Attercliffe district of Sheffield...
.
Later life
Boardman returned to the world of business, rejoining Allied Breweries and several other companies, and was president of the Association of British Chambers of CommerceChamber of commerce
A chamber of commerce is a form of business network, e.g., a local organization of businesses whose goal is to further the interests of businesses. Business owners in towns and cities form these local societies to advocate on behalf of the business community...
for three years from 1977. He joined the board of the National Westminster Bank in 1979, and became chairman in 1983, leaving in 1989 in the wake of the Blue Arrow
Blue Arrow
Blue Arrow Limited is a United Kingdom based employment and recruitment agency that places individual jobseekers in employment and provides businesses with temporary and/or permanent staff in the industrial sector, catering sector, driving sector, logistics sector and office sector.The head office...
scandal. Although not personally implicated in the fraud, and ignorant of any wrongdoing, Boardman chose to resign a few months before his term of office was due to end.
Although he never rejoined the House of Commons
British House of Commons
The House of Commons is the lower house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, which also comprises the Sovereign and the House of Lords . Both Commons and Lords meet in the Palace of Westminster. The Commons is a democratically elected body, consisting of 650 members , who are known as Members...
after the 1974 defeat (he applied to become the Tory candidate for the Cities of London and Westminster
Cities of London and Westminster (UK Parliament constituency)
Cities of London and Westminster is a borough constituency covering the area comprising the City of London and southern portion of the City of Westminster in Central London...
constituency, but was rejected), Boardman remained politically involved. In the 1980 Queen's Birthday Honours
Queen's Birthday Honours
The Queen's Birthday Honours is a part of the British honours system, being a civic occasion on the celebration of the Queen's Official Birthday in which new members of most Commonwealth Realms honours are named. The awards are presented by the reigning monarch or head of state, currently Queen...
, he was made a life peer
Life peer
In the United Kingdom, life peers are appointed members of the Peerage whose titles cannot be inherited. Nowadays life peerages, always of baronial rank, are created under the Life Peerages Act 1958 and entitle the holders to seats in the House of Lords, presuming they meet qualifications such as...
as Baron Boardman, of Welford in the County of Northamptonshire
Northamptonshire
Northamptonshire is a landlocked county in the English East Midlands, with a population of 629,676 as at the 2001 census. It has boundaries with the ceremonial counties of Warwickshire to the west, Leicestershire and Rutland to the north, Cambridgeshire to the east, Bedfordshire to the south-east,...
, and the following year he became joint treasurer of the Conservative Party. After leaving the NatWest Bank, he was active 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....
almost until his death, being on the socially conservative and traditionalist wing of the party. He was a keen huntsman
Fox hunting
Fox hunting is an activity involving the tracking, chase, and sometimes killing of a fox, traditionally a red fox, by trained foxhounds or other scent hounds, and a group of followers led by a master of foxhounds, who follow the hounds on foot or on horseback.Fox hunting originated in its current...
, riding with the Pytchley Hunt
Pytchley Hunt
The Pytchley Hunt is a fox hunting organisation formerly based near the Northamptonshire village of Pytchley, but since 1966 has had kennels close to Brixworth. The Pytchley country used to include areas of the Rockingham Forest but was split to form the Woodland Pytchley Hunt...
well into his retirement.
Legal significance
Boardman is also noteworthy in being the 'Boardman' in Boardman v. PhippsBoardman v. Phipps
Boardman v Phipps [1966] is a landmark English trusts law case concerning the duty of loyalty and the duty to avoid conflicts of interest.-Facts:...
[1967] 2 AC 46 (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....
) a leading case on fiduciary duty and constructive trusts
Constructive trusts in English law
Constructive trusts in English law are a form of trust created by the courts primarily where the defendant has dealt with property in an "unconscionable manner", but also in other circumstances; the property will be held in "constructive trust" for the harmed party, obliging the defendant to look...
. Although he was ultimately required to account to the trust for additional benefits that accrued from his actions, the courts commended him for the service he had delivered to the beneficiaries, to whom the court held he owed fiduciary duties.