Basil Sanderson, 1st Baron Sanderson of Ayot
Encyclopedia
Basil Sanderson, 1st Baron Sanderson of Ayot, MC
(19 June 1894 - 15 August 1971, was a British businessman and public servant.
Sanderson was the son of the businessman Harold Arthur Sanderson, general manager of the White Star Line
, and his wife Maud Blood of New York City
. He was educated at Rugby
and at Trinity College, Oxford
. Sanderson fought in the Duke of Lancaster's Own Yeomanry in the First World War and was awarded the Military Cross
. Like his father he became involved in business, especially the shipping trade, and held directorships with numerous company. During the Second World War he served as Director of Shipping in Port at the Ministry of Shipping
from 1939 to 1941 and as Head of Port Transit Control at the Ministry of War Transport from 1941 to 1945. After the war Sanderson was managing director of the Shaw Savill shipping line from 1945 to 1959 and the firm's chairman from 1947 to 1963. In 1960 he was raised to the peerage as Baron Sanderson of Ayot, of Welwyn in the County of Hertford. Lord Sanderson died in August 1971, aged 77. He was succeeded in the Barony by his eldest twin son Alan. However, he disclaimed
the peerage for life the same year.
In 1927 Sanderson married Evelyn Constance Ismay (1897 - 1940), daughter of shipbuilder J. Bruce Ismay
who was the managing director of the White Star Line
.
Military Cross
The Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries....
(19 June 1894 - 15 August 1971, was a British businessman and public servant.
Sanderson was the son of the businessman Harold Arthur Sanderson, general manager of the White Star Line
White Star Line
The Oceanic Steam Navigation Company or White Star Line of Boston Packets, more commonly known as the White Star Line, was a prominent British shipping company, today most famous for its ill-fated vessel, the RMS Titanic, and the World War I loss of Titanics sister ship Britannic...
, and his wife Maud Blood of New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. He was educated at Rugby
Rugby School
Rugby School is a co-educational day and boarding school located in the town of Rugby, Warwickshire, England. It is one of the oldest independent schools in Britain.-History:...
and at Trinity College, Oxford
Trinity College, Oxford
The College of the Holy and Undivided Trinity in the University of Oxford, of the foundation of Sir Thomas Pope , or Trinity College for short, is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England. It stands on Broad Street, next door to Balliol College and Blackwells bookshop,...
. Sanderson fought in the Duke of Lancaster's Own Yeomanry in the First World War and was awarded the Military Cross
Military Cross
The Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries....
. Like his father he became involved in business, especially the shipping trade, and held directorships with numerous company. During the Second World War he served as Director of Shipping in Port at the Ministry of Shipping
Minister of Shipping
The Minister of Shipping was a British government post created during the First World War and again during the Second World War. In 1941 it was merged into the position of Minister of Transport which was then renamed Minister of War Transport....
from 1939 to 1941 and as Head of Port Transit Control at the Ministry of War Transport from 1941 to 1945. After the war Sanderson was managing director of the Shaw Savill shipping line from 1945 to 1959 and the firm's chairman from 1947 to 1963. In 1960 he was raised to the peerage as Baron Sanderson of Ayot, of Welwyn in the County of Hertford. Lord Sanderson died in August 1971, aged 77. He was succeeded in the Barony by his eldest twin son Alan. However, he disclaimed
Peerage Act 1963
The Peerage Act 1963 is the Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom that permitted peeresses in their own right and all Scottish hereditary peers to sit in the House of Lords, and which allows newly inherited hereditary peerages to be "disclaimed".-Background:The Act resulted largely from the...
the peerage for life the same year.
In 1927 Sanderson married Evelyn Constance Ismay (1897 - 1940), daughter of shipbuilder J. Bruce Ismay
J. Bruce Ismay
Joseph Bruce Ismay was an English businessman who served as chairman and managing director of the White Star Line of steamships. He came to international attention as the highest-ranking White Star official among the 706 survivors Joseph Bruce Ismay (12 December 1862 – 17 October 1937) was...
who was the managing director of the White Star Line
White Star Line
The Oceanic Steam Navigation Company or White Star Line of Boston Packets, more commonly known as the White Star Line, was a prominent British shipping company, today most famous for its ill-fated vessel, the RMS Titanic, and the World War I loss of Titanics sister ship Britannic...
.