Donald Kaberry, Baron Kaberry of Adel
Donald Kaberry, Baron Kaberry of Adel, MC, TD, known as Sir Donald Kaberry, 1st Baronet, from 1960 to 1983, was a Conservative Party politician in the United Kingdom.
Kaberry was educated at Leeds Grammar School and became a solicitor and company director. He served as a councillor on Leeds City Council 1930–50, except for a period during World War II when he enlisted in the Royal Artillery and commanded a battery at Dunkirk, receiving a Mention in Despatches. The citation at National Archives indicates that the decoration was a Military Cross for "... a courageous example of calm leadership to all ranks." After the war he was, as lieutenant-colonel, president of the military governing board at Hamburg.
Kaberry was Member of Parliament for Leeds North West from 1950 to 1983, preceding Dr. Keith Hampson. He was a member of the Speaker's panel of chairmen in the House of Commons and an assistant government whip from 1952 to 1955 and parliamentary secretary at the Board of Trade 1955. He served as Conservative Party Vice-Chairman Organisation, 1955–61, and chairman of the Association of Conservative Clubs in 1961. During his time as vice-chairman, he was in position to receive a note from future British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher following the birth of her twin children informing him that Thatcher was interested in a "return to active politics."
He was created a baronet, of Adel cum Eccup in the City of Leeds, in 1960, and on his retirement from the House of Commons in 1983 he was made a life peer as Baron Kaberry of Adel, of Adel in the City of Leeds.
Lord Kaberry of Adel was injured in the IRA bombing of London's Carlton Club in June 1990 and died in March 1991, aged 83. The life barony became extinct on his death while he was succeeded in the baronetcy by his son Christopher.
He appears as a character in The Long Walk to Finchley, on Margaret Thatcher's early career – he is played by Oliver Ford Davies.
