Gerald Nabarro

Sir Gerald David Nunes Nabarro (29 June 1913 – 18 November 1973) was a British businessman and latterly Conservative Party politician of the 1950s to 1970s.

Early life

Nabarro was born in Willesden Green, London, the son of an unsuccessful shopkeeper. He was born to a prominent Sephardi Jewish family but later converted to Christianity. Until age 14 he was educated at London County Council schools.

Career

Nabarro left school at 14, and ran away from home into the Merchant Navy. He later enlisted in the British Army's King's Royal Rifle Corps in 1930, rising to the rank of staff sergeant instructor. After some self-education he was accepted for commissioning as an officer but believed he had insufficient private means and, having served his time, he was honourably discharged in 1937. He went into the timber-supply industry, where he made his fortune, able to later claim to have served in every grade from labourer to managing director.

He also served in the Territorial Army from 1937 and at the start of World War II, he was commissioned as an officer in the Royal Artillery. During the war he was seconded for special industrial production processes in the United Kingdom He left full time military service in favour of industrial employment in 1943 but remained on the Reserve of Officers until 1946.