Irene Mary Bewick Ward CH DBE (1895 - 1980)

Born 23 Feb 1895 in St George Hanover Square, Middlesex, England, United Kingdom

Ancestors

Died 26 Apr 1980 at age 85 in London, England, United Kingdom

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Biography

Wikidata: Item Q6069293, en:Wikipedia - UK Conservative MP and peer

Irene was born in 1895 in Westminster. She was the daughter of Newcastle-born architect Alfred John Bewick Ward and Elvina Ellis. Irene's birth was registered in the Apr-May-Jun quarter of 1895 in the St. George Hanover Square district.^[1]

After her father's unexpected death in 1901, her mother took her from London to Newcastle where she could be supported by her husband's family. An uncle paid for her education at Newcastle Church High School.

In the 1911 census Irene (age 16), School, was the single daughter of Elvira Ward in Tynemouth, Northumberland, England.^[2]

In the 1921 census, Irene (age 26) was living in Gosforth, Northumberland.

Irene was mentioned in her mother's probate on 12 February 1945 in Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland, England.^[3]

Despite joining the Newcastle Conservative Association, she found early work in politics as the secretary of Liberal MP Cecil Algernon Cochrane.

She fought unsuccessfully for the Parliamentary seat of Morpeth in 1924 and 1929 before successfully winning Wallsend in 1931. She lost her seat in the Labour landslide of 1945, but returned in the neighbouring seat of Tynemouth in 1950, which she held until 1974.

She was made a life peer, Baroness Ward of North Tyneside in 1975, and took her seat in the House of Lords.

She was made a CBE in 1929, a DBE in 1955 and a Companion of Honour in 1973.

Irene's death (age 84) was registered in 1980 in London, England.^[4] She passed away in London 1980. She asked to be cremated and her ashes taken to the fishermen of Tyneside to be scattered in the North Sea.

Find A Grave: Memorial #143148259

Sources

1. ↑ Birth Registration: "England and Wales Birth Registration Index, 1837-2008"
   citing Birth Registration, St. George Hanover Square, London, England, citing General Register Office, Southport, England
   FamilySearch Record: 2F38-86S (accessed 27 November 2023)
   Irene Mary B Ward birth registered Apr-May-Jun 1895 in St. George Hanover Square.
2. ↑ 1911 Census: "England and Wales Census, 1911"
   citing PRO RG 14, The National Archives of the UK, Kew, Surrey
   FamilySearch Record: XWMF-996 (accessed 27 November 2023)
   FindMyPast Image
   Irene Ward (16), single daughter, School, in household of Elvira Ward (39) in Tynemouth registration district in Northumberland, England. Born in Westminster London, London.
3. ↑ "England and Wales, National Index of Wills and Administrations, 1858-1957"
   citing Probate, Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland, England, United Kingdom, Her Majesty's Stationery Office, Great Britain.; FHL microfilm
   FamilySearch Record: 7XFY-GN6Z (accessed 27 November 2023)
   Name: Irene Mary Bewick Ward.
4. ↑ Death Registration: "England and Wales Death Registration Index 1837-2007"
   citing UK General Register Office. Volume: 13; Page: 1620
   FamilySearch Record: QVZ9-LGN7 (accessed 27 November 2023)
   Irene Mary B Ward death registered 1980 in London, England, United Kingdom (born 23 Feb 1895).

• Familysearch: Irene Mary Bewick Ward
• https://archives.blog.parliament.uk/2023/02/08/there-is-nothing-like-a-dame-the-irene-ward-story/