Charles Wakefield, 1st Viscount Wakefield

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The title of Baron Wakefield was created in the Peerage of the United Kingdom on 20 January 1930 for Charles Cheers Wakefield, (1859 – 1941), who was created Viscount Wakefield on 28 June 1934. On his death in 1941, both titles became extinct.

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[edit] Early life

Charles Cheers Wakefield was born in Liverpool, in 1859, the son of John Wakefield, and his wife Margaret, née Cheers, and was educated at the Liverpool Institute.

[edit] Castrol

In 1899 Wakefield founded the Wakefield Oil Company, but subsequently changed its name to Castrol. The name Castrol was chosen because of the castor oil that was added to the company's lubricating oils. This title has since become a household name in the United Kingdom. The Castrol brand lubricants produced by Wakefield's company were used in the engines of motor cars, aeroplanes, and motorcycles.

[edit] City of London

Wakefield was an Alderman, a member of the Court of Common Council, Sheriff (1907), and for 1915-1916 Lord Mayor. He received a Knighthood for services to the City of London. He was involved with a huge number of City institutions and charities, and was a co-founder of the Wakefield Trust,[1] along with his friend the Rev'd "Tubby" Clayton, better known as the founder of the Toc H charity.

[edit] Hythe (Kent)

In his day, Wakefield was one of the most prominent and well-known characters in the town of Hythe, Kent, and the official Year Book of Hythe Town Council, in its list of Freemen of the Borough describes him as "Hythe's greatest benefactor".[2] He was created a Freeman of the Borough on 30 May 1930, under the provisions of the 1885 Honorary Freedom of the Boroughs Act. On his elevation to the peerage (initially as a Baron, and later a Viscount) Wakefield took Hythe as his titular seat. His name appears on many memorial inscriptions in Hythe today, and also lives on as the name of one of the town's masonic lodges.

[edit] Additional Notes

It is often erroneously reported that Wakefield was commonly known by the nickname, or colloquial name, of "Cheers". Although he did prefer this name, it was in fact a given (baptismal) name, his middle name, having been the maiden name of his mother.

[edit] References

  1. ^ The Wakefield Trust website includes detailed biographical information
  2. ^ Hythe Town Council website with link to PDF version of Year Book (see page 14 of 2007/2008 edition).