Robert Burton-Chadwick

Who was Robert Burton-Chadwick?

Sir Robert Burton-Chadwick, 1st Baronet was a shipping magnate and an English Conservative politician.

Chadwick was born at Oxton, Cheshire, the son of Joseph Chadwick and Norah Irene Gibbs, being baptised with the name of Robert Chadwick. He was head of the shipping firm of Chadwick and Askew, of London and Liverpool and was eventually Director of Chadwick, Weir and Company, of London.

Chadwick served with the Duke of Lancaster's Own Yeomanry in the Second Boer War from 1900 to 1901. During World War I, he became an Honorary Captain in the Hospital service of Royal Naval Reserve. He was decorated with the Royal Humane Society certificate for saving life.

Chadwick was elected as M.P. for Barrow in Furness in 1918 and in 1922 took the seat of Wallasey which he held until 1931. He held membership of a number of political organisations associated with the right of the Conservative Party, notably the British Fascists and the Middle Class Union. He was Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade between 1924 and 1928. In 1935, he was created a baronet, of Bidston, Cheshire. He changed his name by deed poll to Robert Burton-Chadwick in 1936.