William Carron, Baron Carron
William John Carron, Baron Carron | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1902-11-19 Kingston upon Hull, England |
| Died | 1969-12-03 |
| Occupation | Trade union leader |
| Years active | 1918–1967 |
| Known for | President of the Amalgamated Engineering Union (1956–1967) |
William John Carron, Baron Carron, KSG, FRSA (19 November 1902 – 3 December 1969), was a prominent British trade union leader who served as president of the Amalgamated Engineering Union (AEU) from 1956 until 1967.
Early life
Carron was born in Kingston upon Hull to parents John Carron and Frances Ann Richardson. His education included attendance at St Mary's Roman Catholic Primary School and Hull Technical College, culminating in a Master of Arts degree from Oxford University.
Career
Starting his professional journey in 1918, Carron worked as an apprentice turner at Downs and Thompson Ltd., achieving journeyman status by 1923. In 1935, he transitioned to Reckitt and Coleman's maintenance department, where he took on the role of AEU shop steward.
His involvement with the AEU began in 1924. Over time, he held multiple positions: branch secretary (1932–1945), district president, divisional organizer (1950), executive councillor (1956), and ultimately president from 1956 to 1967. Additionally, he was a member of the General Council of the Trades Union Congress between 1954 and 1968.
Beyond his union responsibilities, Carron was appointed to the board of the Bank of England in 1963 and later joined the board of the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority in 1967.
Honours and awards
In recognition of his service, Carron was made a Knight of the Order of St. Gregory the Great by the Catholic Church in 1959 and received a knighthood as a Knight Bachelor in 1963.
He was granted a peerage as Baron Carron, of Kingston upon Hull, on 11 July 1967.
Personal life
Carron married Mary Emma McGuire on 5 August 1931. The couple had two daughters: Hilary Mary Carron and Patricia Anne Carron.
After retirement, he lived in Forest Hill, London until his death in 1969 at the age of 67.