Bert Carless
Bert Carless | |
|---|---|
| Born | June 1933  |
| Died | 14 August 2003 (aged 69–70) |
| Occupation | Mechanic, politician |
| Political party | Labour Party |
| Awards | |
Egbert Sylvester Carless OBE was a politician in Birmingham, England.[1][2]
Carless was born in June 1933.[3] After working as diesel mechanic at a Jamaican sugar refining plant, he migrated to the United Kingdom, arriving in 1956.[2]
He was elected as the labour councillor for Aston ward in Birmingham, and was the first non-white councillor to sit on Birmingham City Council, serving until 1994.[2][1] He was re-elected, representing Ladywood Ward, in 1998, serving until 2002.[1] He was a member of the council's education committee.[4]
He was also chair of the board of governors of the city's Handsworth College, and oversaw its transition to be part of City College (now South & City College Birmingham.[2]
He was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 1998 Birthday Honours "For services to education and to the community in Birmingham".[5] He was also made an Honorary Alderman of the city of Birmingham, in 1994.[1]
He died as a result of cancer on 14 August 2003.[2][1] He had five children.[2]
A street in Perry Barr, Birmingham was named "Bert Carless Way"[a] in around 2021.[4]
In December 2023, Carless' achievements were marked by the erection of a blue plaque in his honour, in a building at the Handsworth College campus.
Notes[edit]
- ^ Bert Carless Way coordinates: 52°31′00″N 1°53′50″W / 52.516722°N 1.897348°W
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d e "Death of Birmingham's First Black Councillor". Local Government Chronicle. 20 August 2003. Retrieved 16 December 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f Jolly, Bradley; Clarke, Nathan (13 December 2023). "Brum's first Black councillor to be honoured - but activist says 'it's too late'". Birmingham Live. Retrieved 16 December 2023.
- ^ "Egbert Sylvester CARLESS personal appointments". UK Government.
- ^ a b "Perry Barr street to be named after Birmingham's first black councillor". Birmingham City Council. 18 December 2020. Retrieved 16 December 2023.
- ^ "No. 55155". The London Gazette (Supplement). 12 June 1998. p. 10.