1451 Robert Ratcliff

Constituency  : Burton  1900-12  ( Liberal  Unionist ), 1912-18  Conservative

Robert  gained  Burton  for  the  Liberal  Unionists, replacing  Sydney  Evershed.

Robert  was  born  in  the  town  where  his  father  was  a  partner  in  a  brewing  firm. He  was  educated  at  Rossall  School  and  Cambridge. Robert  became  involved  in  the  family  business  and   also  became  a  Territorial  Army Officer.

In  1914  of  course , the  territorial  reserves  were  mobilised  and  Major  Ratcliffe  took  command  of   the  1/6  North  Staffordshires   in  the  Battle  of  Loos. He  mas  made  a  Companion  of  the  Order  of  St  Michael  and  St  George  in  1916.

In  1916  Robert  acquired  an  interest  in  the  Burton  Mail  newspaper.

Robert  stood  down  as  an  MP  in  1918  but  continued  to  be  active  in  the  TA  until 1925.

He  died  in  1943  aged 65.

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