John Allan Cecil Cecil-Wright

Air Commodore John Allan Cecil Cecil-Wright (28 August 1886 – 14 July 1982) was a British military aviator and Conservative Party politician.[1]

Early life and military service

Born as John Allan Cecil Wright in Knowle, Warwickshire, he was educated at Winchester School.[1][2]

In 1905 he was granted a commission in the 1st Volunteer Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment. Three years later, when the Territorial Force was created, he helped form a company of the Army Service Corps.[2] Following the outbreak of war, he accompanied his unit to France in 1915. In 1916 he transferred to the Royal Flying Corps in 1916.[2] He rose to become squadron leader of 605 (County of Warwick) Bomber Squadron, Royal Auxiliary Air Force, from 1926–1936.[1]

He was awarded the Air Force Cross in the New Year Honours, 1931.[3]

Industry and local government in Birmingham

Wright was an industrialist, and became chairman of Warne, Wright & Rowlands Limited, screw, nut and bolt manufacturers.[2] In 1934 he was elected to Birmingham City Council, where he was an advocate for the establishment of a municipal airport.[1][4]

Member of Parliament

In August 1936 John Frederick Eales, the Conservative Member of Parliament (MP) for the Birmingham constituency of Erdington died.[5] On 18 August the executive committee of Erdington Division Unionist Association unanimously chose Wright as their candidate to contest the resulting by-election.[2] The election was a straight fight with C J Simmons of the Labour Party, who had held the seat from 1929 – 1931.[4] The election was held on 20 October, and Wright was elected with a large majority of 6,234 votes over Simmons.[6] With the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939, elections were postponed, and Wright held the seat until the next general election in 1945, when he was defeated by his Labour opponent, Julius Silverman. From 1941–1945 he was Commandant of Midland Command Air Training Corps.[1]

Later life

Wright and his second wife, Lilian, had an interest in the breeding and showing of dogs. He was an early enthusiast of the German Shepherd, and was one of the founding members of the Alsatian League and Club of Great Britain in 1924.[7] After leaving parliament, he became chairman of the Kennel Club of Great Britain from 1948–1973, and its president from 1976 until his death.[7] He was president of Crufts Dog Show from 1962–1976.[1][7] He was also served as president of the Welsh Kennel Club and the Scottish Kennel Club. He was a supporter of the Birmingham Dog Show Society, and was instrumental in having it raised to championship status.[1][8]

In 1957 Wright altered his surname to Cecil-Wright by deed poll.[1] He returned to local politics as a member of Warwickshire County Council from 1958–1961.[1]

Cecil-Wright died in Milford-on-Sea in 1982 aged 95.[1]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 "Obituary. Air Cdre J. A. C. Cecil-Wright". The Times. 16 July 1982. p. 14.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 "Erdington By-Election Selection Of Unionist Candidate". The Times. 19 August 1936. p. 12.
  3. ↑ "New Year Honours". Flight (Royal Aero Club of the United Kingdom). XXIII (2): 24. 9 January 1931.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Erdington By-Election A Straight Fight With Labour". The Times. 10 October 1936. p. 14.
  5. ↑ "Obituary. Mr. J. F. Eales, K.C., M.P. Recorder Of Nottingham". The Times. 7 August 1936. p. 12.
  6. ↑ "Erdington Election Result". The Times. 21 October 1936. p. 14.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 "Air Commodore John Allan Cecil-Wright". Kennel Club. Retrieved 1 May 2010.
  8. ↑ "City of Birmingham Championship Dog Show". City of Birmingham Canine Association. Retrieved 1 May 2010.

External links

Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded by
John Frederick Eales		 Member of Parliament for Birmingham Erdington
1936–1945 		Succeeded by
Julius Silverman