Sir Alfred Law Mowat, Bart., DSO, OBE, MC, DL, JP

At the inauguration of the Spenborough Branch of The Royal British Legion on 4 July 1921, Founder Member Sir Alfred Law Mowat was elected as the first President.

Only some four years had passed since the Armistice marking the end of The Great War, and it was fitting that the popular election of Sir Alfred should fall to not only one of the best-known public figures in Spen Valley and the wider West Riding, but also to a man with a distinguished military career.

Born in 1890, the elder son of Sir John Gunn Mowat, he was educated at Bradfield College near Reading. Afterwards, he had the choice of going to University before entering the family business of S Law, Moorland Mills, Cleckheaton, or going through all departments to gain practical knowledge before going to Germany to learn the language. He chose the latter.

He must certainly have made an impact on the men he was working alongside, since at a "coming of age" event held at Moorland Mills on Saturday 18 March 1911, he was presented with a "massive" rose bowl on an ebony stand and a gold-plated pen. These were purchased with a collection from the workforce of over £40—a considerable sum in 1911.

The presentation was made in the presence of hundreds of workers in the spacious packing room in what was believed to be the largest factory of its kind in the world. Cleckheaton was, of course, the world’s manufacturing centre of card wire for the textile industry.

At the outbreak of The Great War in 1914, Sir Alfred was Officer Commanding of the Cleckheaton Company of the 1/4th Duke of Wellington's Regiment. He went to Great Coates, near Grimsby, where the Battalion was tasked with coastal defence duties (Immingham and Grimsby docks, etc.), on to Doncaster for training and re-equipping, and then proceeded via Boulogne to the front, where they became part of the 147th (2nd West Riding) Brigade, 49th (West Riding) Division.

Ready for war, leaving Halifax station – Capt Mowat seated centre.

He had a distinguished military career, being awarded the DSO, MC and Bar, and was twice mentioned in despatches. The citation for his DSO reads:

"For conspicuous gallantry and devotion during operations east of Naues, lasting from the 11th to the 17th October 1918. Always regardless of personal danger, he continually moved about his battalion area, by day and night during every phase of the action, and on one occasion, when the enemy attacked with tanks and the line withdrew, he rallied the men and led them forward again. Throughout the whole operation, his gallantry and coolness set a magnificent example to all ranks under his command."

Amongst many actions undertaken by the 1/4th Battalion were the defence of Ypres, the long-drawn-out Battle of the Somme, and the attack on Passchendaele.

He went out to France as a Captain and returned as Lieutenant Colonel.

On Waterloo Day, 18 June 1919, Lt Col Sir Alfred Mowat led the remaining cadre of the 1/4th Battalion through a crowd of some 25,000 people from the Railway Station to the Town Hall in Halifax. The battalion had suffered casualties during its distinguished time in the trenches, and most of the surviving men had already been demobilised. It was a proud but sad day when the remaining five officers and some 30 men made this last journey.

Lt Col Mowat bringing home the cadre of the 1/4th Battalion. Centre group.

Lt Col Mowat acknowledged the civic welcome and suggested that an Old Comrades Association be created and was indeed instrumental in its inauguration. The first meeting was on 5 July 1919, and Sir Alfred acted as its Secretary for many years.

At the inaugural meeting of the Spenborough Branch of The Royal British Legion in 1922, Sir Alfred was a founder member and elected to the office of our first President, a position he held for 46 years.

Upon the death of his father, Sir John Gunn Mowat, in 1935, Sir Alfred succeeded to the Baronetcy; however, on his death, the title became extinct.

During the inter-war years, Sir Alfred was with the Territorial Army Officers Reserve and was immediately on active service at the outbreak of World War II. In 1939, he raised the 38th Light Anti-Aircraft Brigade of the Royal Artillery, headquartered at Bradford. He resigned this in 1941, and with the rank of Colonel, he commanded the West Riding Home Guard Group.

He was awarded the OBE in 1944 and, on 28 January 1959, Sir Alfred had Honorary Freedom of the Borough of Spenborough conferred on him at a ceremony at Cleckheaton Town Hall. His civic duties also included service as a Justice of the Peace.

Sir Alfred's deep interest in the welfare of ex-servicemen and women returning from conflict continued after the war with his Legion activities. Right up to the time of his death, he was President of the West Riding County Branch. His expertise and experience were also valued at national level, as he was elected a national Vice-President and was accorded the signal honour of being awarded the Gold Badge and life membership, one of the Legion's highest honours for meritorious service.

In 1968, the Spenborough Guardian reported:

"Until recently he was Poppy Day organiser for Spenborough, and he, more than anyone else, kept alive the interest in Remembrance Day in the Spen District. It was seldom that his tall, erect, and distinguished figure was not to be seen on the Remembrance Day parades."

His local and regional service continued, with his appointment as Vice Lord Lieutenant of the West Yorkshire Lieutenancy, a position he eventually relinquished due to ill health, but he remained a Deputy Lieutenant until his death.

His involvement in local activities is almost too numerous to mention, and as an example:

• Founder Governor of Whitcliffe Mount Grammar School
• County President of the West Yorkshire Boy Scouts
• Treasurer of Spenborough Ex-Servicemen's Club for 30 years
• Member of Dewsbury and Batley War Pensions Committee
• Committee for financial help to Bradford hospitals
• President of Spenborough Amateur Operatic Society
• President of Spen Valley Chamber of Commerce
• President of Hartshead Moor Cricket Club, 1921 to 1968
• Director of the Halifax Building Society
• President of the West Yorkshire region of the Economic League

Sir Alfred and, indeed, the Mowat family, have been household names in Spenborough and beyond, being well known especially for their public work and gifts for the good of the community. This included not only the gift of the Cleckheaton Public Library in 1928 but also all the books within it.

Cleckheaton Library in 2014.

His house at Kenmore, opposite the Library, was donated to Leonard Cheshire Homes in 1960, and his former home at Moorland House, Cleckheaton, was given to the Spenborough Ex-Servicemen's Club, where The Royal British Legion Spenborough Branch still holds their meetings in 2012. Spenborough's civic mace was donated in 1954, along with numerous trophies for a number of annual events.

Sir Alfred Law Mowat died on 20 October 1968. His daughter, Lady Shaw, had married the Conservative Member of Parliament for Scarborough and Whitby and formerly Brighouse and Spenborough, Mr Michael N Shaw, now Lord Shaw of Northstead. Both Lord and Lady Shaw still actively support the Spenborough Branch (and Women's Section) of The Royal British Legion.

The last word must belong to the Spenborough Guardian in Sir Alfred's obituary:

"It can be said that Sir Alfred was a very worthy son of a very worthy father and, indeed, a worthy son of Spenborough."

By kind permission of Lady J Shaw (2012) and The Spenborough Guardian.