Charles Wakefield, 1st Viscount Wakefield
Charles Cheers Wakefield, 1st Viscount Wakefield, GCVO, CBE (12 December 1859 – 15 January 1941), was an English businessman who founded the Castrol lubricants company, was lord mayor of London and was a significant philanthropist.
The Viscount Wakefield
Early life and family[edit]
Wakefield was born in Cheshire, the son of John Wakefield, and his wife Margaret, née Cheers, and was educated at the Liverpool Institute.
He married Sarah Frances Graham.
Hythe (Kent)[edit]
In his day, Wakefield was one of the most prominent and well-known characters in the town of Hythe, Kent, and the official Year Book of Hythe Town Council, in its list of Freemen of the Borough describes him as "Hythe's greatest benefactor".[8] He was created a Freeman of the Borough on 30 May 1930, under the provisions of the Honorary Freedom of Boroughs Act 1885. His name appears on many memorial inscriptions in Hythe today, and also lives on as the name of one of the town's masonic lodges. Viscount Wakefield is buried at Spring Lane Cemetery, Seabrook, within the Borough of Hythe, from which he took his title.
Additional notes[edit]
It is often erroneously reported that Wakefield was commonly known by the nickname, or colloquial name, of "Cheers". Although he did prefer this name, it was in fact a given (baptismal) name, his middle name, having been the maiden name of his mother. Wakefield and his wife had a daughter, Freda Ware (née Wakefield). Freda accompanied her parents on many of their public engagements including Wakefield's business trip to America as part of the Sulgrave Institution. Wakefield left Freda, her husband Ivor and her four children a living each for their futures.
Sussex Motor Yacht Club[edit]
Wakefield was a member of Sussex Motor Yacht Club and in 1931 donated The Warwick Vase, "The International Championship of London, Challenge Trophy" to the club.
Czech Society of Great Britain[edit]
Wakefield was chairman of the Czech Society of Great Britain. He was awarded Order of the White Lion in 1923.
Howard 'Grace' Cup[edit]
In 1931 Lord Wakefield purchased a grace cup from the Howard family and donated it to the Victoria and Albert museum. The ivory bowl within the setting of the cup is said to have belonged to Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury who was murdered in Canterbury cathedral in 1170.