1937 – 7th April – Kenilworth Urban District Council – Election

Borrowell (3 seats)

*William Bostock	Independent	446
*Williams Hiorns	Independent	369
*Samuel Rollason	Independent	335
*Edwin Gee	Independent	283

Castle (3 seats)

*Henry Watling	Independent	u/o
*Leonard Smalley	Independent	u/o
*Frank Weetman	Independent	u/o

Abbey (3 seats)

George Tisdale	Independent	332
*William Griffiths	Independent	325
Frederick Faxon	Independent	294
Reginald Smith	Independent	207
Eric Bernard Smith	Independent	146

Park Hill (3 seats)

*Thomas Jackson	Independent	259
*James Leaver	Labour Party	251
*James Akerman	Independent	240
Benjamin Nicholls	Labour Party	107

*denotes retiring councillor

Council Losses Its ‘Father’ – But Tisdale is Back

82-year-old, Edwin Gee of Castle Farm lost his seat in Borrowell Ward having been on the council for 39 consecutive years and was affectionately known as the ‘Father of the Council’. His 39 years makes him the longest serving member on the KUDC, beating Edward Hodges by two years. He had been a great servant to the town.

The local press reported that voting was of a very quiet character and the poll was small. Also, some ‘plumbing’ had apparently taken place. Strangely, some voters were led to believe that they only had one vote (instead of three).

George Tisdale came top in Abbey Ward after a year away from council following his defeat in the annual election to Mr Naylor, who did not seek re-election this year.

Frederick Faxon, a former councillor, was also returned in Abbey Ward. Leaver retained his seat for the Labour party, and is the only socialist on the council.

The counting was done by Returning Officer, Mr. Whittaker and his staff. Only one spoilt ballot paper was reported, with the words ‘with love’ written on it? The results were declared outside the council house in Upper Rosemary Hill, to an expectant crowd, at 9.50pm.

The first meeting of the new council was on 20th April when Mr. Jackson, the retiring chairman was re-elected. But what the councillors didn’t know at the time, this would be the last election for 9 years. The Second World War was looming……

KUDC Councillors

11 Independents (Mr Bostock, Mr Hiorns, Mr Rollason, Mr Watling, Mr Smalley, Mr Weetman, Mr Tisdale, Mr Griffiths, Mr Faxon, Mr Jackson, Mr Akerman)

1 Labour (Mr Leaver)

Council Clerk – Mr. J. C. Whittaker

Chairman 1937-46

Chairmans Chain of Office – Courtesy of Warwickshire County Records Office. (ref PH (N) 600/147/3)