Beresford Craddock

British politician (1898–1976)

For the Labour MP, see George Craddock.

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|

Sir

George Beresford Craddock

Craddock in 1950

Member of Parliament (MP) for Spelthorne
In office
1950–1970
Preceded by| George Pargiter
Succeeded by| Humphrey Atkins
Personal details
Born| (1898-10-07)7 October 1898
Dundee, Scotland
Died| 22 September 1976(1976-09-22) (aged 77)
Political party| Conservative
Spouse|

Ethel Martin Bradford

(m. 1936)​

Education| Harris Academy, Dundee
Alma mater| St Andrews University
Military career
Allegiance|  United Kingdom
Branch|  British Army
Years of service| 1914-1918
Unit| Royal Garrison Artillery
Royal Engineers Chemical Warfare
Battles / wars|

* World War I

Sir George Beresford Craddock (7 October 1898 – 22 September 1976) was a British Conservative politician. He was elected as Member of Parliament (MP) for Spelthorne at the 1950 general election, and held the seat until his retirement at the 1970 general election.

## Early life and career

[edit]

Craddock was educated at Harris Academy, Dundee and St Andrews University, Scotland,[1] where he gained a First in Physics and Chemistry (BSc), with special distinction in Chemistry, and an MA in Economics and Philosophy. In the First World War he first served in the Royal Garrison Artillery, then as a Staff Lieutenant, Royal Engineers Chemical Warfare Staff. He held major business executive posts in India and Africa, 1921–39. During the Second World War he was Assistant Director at the Ministry of Supply.

He became Barrister at Law, Gray's Inn, from 1947 with chambers in the Middle Temple.

## Political career

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His political ambitions had surfaced in the 1930s when he contested Lichfield, Staffordshire, for the National Government in a by-election (as National Labour) in 1938 and contested the same seat in 1945 as a National candidate. He was elected to Parliament as Conservative member for the Spelthorne Division of Middlesex in 1950 and held the seat until his retirement in 1970. He was Parliamentary Private Secretary to Harold Watkinson, Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation, 1956–9, and to Watkinson as Minister of Defence, 1959–62. He was a member of the Speaker's Panel of Chairmen, 1966–70.

He is often remembered for his controversial speech: “Let us remember that 95% of them are primitive people. One of the reasons why they are not generally accepted into hotels is because their sanitary habits are not all that could be desired… It is well known that a large number of Africans in East and Central Africa are riddled with a disease of a very unfortunate kind… I will not dwell on that very delicate subject but I think that Honorable Members who have experience will agree that the attitude of the African towards women and sexual matters is entirely different from the attitude of the general run of Europeans… it is a common practice among Africans to put children to sleep by excitation of their urogenital organs… The effect of alcohol upon an African is remarkable. I admit that sometimes alcohol has a remarkable effect on Europeans. But speaking generally, alcohol seems to bring out all the evil instincts in the African in the most astonishing way… these views and practices are due to the psychological makeup of those primitive people from time immemorial.” B. Craddock, House of Commons, May 1953.

## Personal life

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Craddock married Ethel Martin Bradford in 1936.

He was knighted on 8 July 1960.[2]

In the 1960's he lived in The Grove, Highgate[3] before moving towards the end of his life to Henley Down House, Battle, Sussex. Like many Conservative MPs he was a member of the Carlton Club.

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Times House of Commons 1951. London: The Times Office. 1951. p. 147.
2. ^ "Honours and awards" (PDF). The London Gazette. No. 42087\. 8 July 1960. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
3. ^ "Electoral Roll". St Pancras (North) Register of Electors. 1970.

* Leigh Rayment's Historical List of MPs
* Who's Who, London : A. & C. Black, 1974;

## External links

[edit]

* Hansard 1803–2005: contributions in Parliament by Sir Beresford Craddock

Parliament of the United Kingdom

Preceded by

George Pargiter

|  Member of Parliament for Spelthorne
1950–1970 | Succeeded by

Humphrey Atkins
*[m.]: married