James Chichester-Clark

(1923-2002)

James Chichester-Clark was born on 12 February 1923 at the family home, Moyola Park, Castledawson, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland, the eldest of three children of James and Marion Clark. In 1924 James Clark changed the family name to Chichester-Clark by deed poll, thus preventing the old ascendancy name Chichester (his wife's maiden name) from dying out.

Educated at Eton College, he fought with the Irish Guards during World War Two, during which he was wounded in action.

After the War he continued in the Army, serving from 1947 to 1950 in Canada as ADC to the Governor General, Earl Alexander of Tunis. He continued in the Army until the late 1950s during which time he married a young widow, Moyra Haughton (nee Morris). He had two daughters and one step-son. He returned to Castledawson to farm.

In 1960 in an uncontested by-election he took over the South Londonderry seat in the Northern Ireland parliament held by his aunt Dame Dehra Parker since 1932.

His political appointments were:

Assistant Whip 1963

Chief Whip 1963-67

Leader of the House 1966-67

Minister of Agriculture 1967-69

Prime Minister 1969-71

He resigned in 1971 and was created Lord Moyola in the same year.

He died on 17 May 2002

Reading:

Clive Scoular, 'James Chichester-Clark: Prime Minister of Northern Ireland', 2000