McAra, Sir Thomas Wilson, JP
1864-1942

Born at Crieff, Tayside on 8 Jauuary 1864, he rose from being an apprentice printer to beome a leading figure in the world of Fleet Street as the Secretary of the Newspapr Proprietors Association from 1918 to1936. As chairman of its Technical Committee, he showed a keen and effective interest in working conditions in the industry, especially during the General Strike of 1926. He received a knighthood in the 1933 New Year Honours, He was 'a Scotsman who took London to his heart, a man of the people [whose] broad human sympathies were manifest.'

Living in Peckham and Forest Hill, he and his family worshipped at St. James Parish Church, where he led the Men's Meeting and was chairman of the House Committee of the Royal Free Hospital. On his retirement to Wokingham they joined the Methodist society there. He died on 10th December 1942.

Sources
  • Times, 12th, and 16th December 1942
  • Methodist Recorder, 17 December 1942

See also

Entry written by: JAV
Category: Person
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