Alan David Walder (13 November 1928 – 26 October 1978) was a British Conservative Party politician, author and barrister who was the Member of Parliament for High Peak from 1961 to 1966, and for Clitheroe from 1970 until his death.

Background

Born in St Pancras, London, Walder was educated at Latymer School and Christ Church, Oxford.[1] He was commissioned into the Royal Artillery in 1948. In 1953 he transferred to the 4th Hussars (Army Emergency Reserve) and was promoted lieutenant. He was promoted captain in 1956, and later promoted Major.[2] He became a barrister, called to the bar by Inner Temple in 1956.[3]

Career

He unsuccessfully contested the Leicester South West constituency at the 1959 general election. He was elected Member of Parliament (MP) for High Peak at a 1961 by-election, but lost the seat at the 1966 general election, to Labour's Peter Jackson.[3]

He was returned to the House of Commons at the 1970 general election as MP for Clitheroe, which he held until his death. Walder was an assistant government whip from 1973 to 1974.[3]

Walder coined "Walder's Law" which stated that the first three speakers at any meeting of the 1922 Committee were "Mad."[4]

Walder's successor at the by-election following his death was David Waddington.

Walder was also a noted author and military historian. His works included humorous fiction relating primarily to his experiences in the army and politics, and comprised:

  • Bags of Swank (1963)
  • The Short List (1964)
  • The House Party (1966)
  • The Fair Ladies of Salamanca (1967)
  • The Chanak Affair (1969)
  • The Short Victorious War: Russo-Japanese Conflict 1904–5 (1973)
  • Nelson (1978).

Personal life and death

In 1956, Walder married Elspeth Milligan, and they had four children.[3]

On 26 October 1978, Walder was dining at a London restaurant when he suffered an apparent heart attack; he died later that evening at St Stephen's Hospital, at the age of 49.[2]

References

  1. ^ Wilkinson, F.L. (2020). The Territorial Air Force: The RAF's Voluntary Squadrons, 1926–1957. Pen & Sword Books. p. 213. ISBN 978-1-5267-5105-8. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
  2. ^ a b "Tory MP dies after collapsing at dinner". Birmingham Mail. 28 October 1978. p. 7. Retrieved 13 March 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ a b c d "Mr David Walder". The Times. 28 October 1978. p. 14.
  4. ^ Critchley, Julian; Halcrow, Morrison (1997). Collapse of Stout Party: The Decline and Fall of the Tories (1st ed.). Victor Gollancz. ISBN 0575062770.
Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded by Member of Parliament for High Peak
1961–1966 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Member of Parliament for Clitheroe
1970–1978 		Succeeded by
Allikas: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Walder
No tags for this post.