1931 – 31st March – Kenilworth Urban District Council – Election

Elected (12 seats)

*Charles Randall	Ratepayers Association	1261
*John Clarke	Unattached	1254
*Capt. A. Wilson	Ratepayers Association	1254
*Edward Hodges	Independent	1059
*William Hiorns	Unattached	1009
Warrington Bennett	Ratepayers Association	1002
Allen Spaven	Ratepayers Association	979
*William Bostock	Independent	975
Thomas Jackson	Ratepayers Association	916
Elizabeth Lily Randall	Ratepayers Association	903
*Edwin Gee	Independent	889
H. Wells Lawrence	Ratepayers Association	848

Not Elected

S. Rollason	Ratepayers Association	794
W. Griffiths	Ratepayers Association	776
George Hughes	Ratepayers Association	736
*Charles Carter	Independent	715
Major B.Thomas	Independent	688
George Tisdale	Independent	682
Capt. G. Savage	Independent	642
Mrs M. Chapman	Ratepayers Association	642
Frank Weetman	Independent	565
R. H. Seekings	Ratepayers Association	471
J. Smith	Independent	259

*denotes retiring councillor

Electorate 3690

Turnout 2122

Ratepayers Day – Former Chairman Gone

The election was somewhat over shadowed by the recent death of James Everett Jackson who had served on the council from 1894 to 1925, apart from one year (1901/1902). By trade, he was a cabinet maker, coffin maker and undertaker for over 54 years. He was also a volunteer in the local Fire Brigade for 40 years. He was 79 years-old.

The Ratepayers Association, had formed due to the inconsisent rates within the town, fielded twelve candidates. They were successful in gaining seven seats, including the first ever woman to be elected to the council, Mrs Elizabeth Lily Randall.

The ‘Independent Party’, who fielded nine candidates, gained just three seats.

The remaining two seats were filled by re-elected members, Hiorns and Clarke, who, not wishing to get involved in party politics, ran as ‘unattached’ candidates.

One member that did not seek re-election was Alfred Keeling who was first elected at a by-election in 1925. Due to business commitments, he was absent from many meetings, especially over the last couple of years. (He later died in Perth, Austrailia in 1934 whilst on a business trip, he was only 52 years-old)

Charles Carter, who ran as an Independent, had been the chairman for the last two years, was not re-elected, coming well down the list. It came as a shock and disappointment to a lot of people. (apart from his political rivals)

KUDC Councillors

7 Ratepayers Association (H. Lawrence, C. Randall, Lily Randall, A. Spaven, W. Bennett, Capt. Wilson, T. Jackson)

3 Independents (E. Gee, W. Bostock, E. Hodges)

2 Unattached (J. Clarke, W. Hiorns)

Chairman

photo courtesy of Warwickshire County Records Office. (ref. PH (N) 600/147/3)