Alan Gomme-Duncan
Encyclopedia
Colonel Sir Alan Gomme Gomme-Duncan MC
, originally Alan Gomme Duncan (5 July 1893–13 December 1963) was a British
army
officer who served in both World Wars; he was recalled to the army at the age of 45 in advance of World War II
. In a brief break in his career he was Inspector of Prisons for Scotland. After the liberation of Europe he went into politics and served for fourteen years as a Conservative
Member of Parliament
in Scotland, becoming known for humorous remarks combined with a lively partisanship.
. At the outbreak of the First World War, Duncan joined the London Scottish
, serving in France
and Belgium
. At the beginning of January 1917, while holding the rank of Lieutenant
(and temporary Captain
), he was awarded the Military Cross
. He was later transferred to the Black Watch
for whom he served in Germany
after the armistice and into 1919. During the war, Duncan was twice Mentioned in Despatches, and was also wounded in action. He ended the war with the substantive rank of Captain.
. He married Mary Bourne on 2 April 1919 at Leavesden, Hertfordshire
. However, Duncan, still an officer in the Black Watch, was posted to India
later in 1919; he decided to remain in the army and not to pursue his business, and so the partnership with his father was dissolved on 1 July 1921.
In India, Duncan was a staff officer with the Western Command in Quetta
from 1923 to 1927. He returned to Britain in 1927, and was a staff officer on the Northern Command based in York
from 1929 to 1933. He returned to India in 1933 for four more years with the Black Watch, before retiring from the army, with the rank of Major, in 1937. He moved to Bridge of Earn
in Perthshire
, and in 1938 he assumed by Authority the surname of Gomme-Duncan instead of Duncan.
. This was to be a brief appointment, for Gomme-Duncan was "recalled to the Colours" as a reservist in June 1939. He was appointed Deputy Assistant Adjutant-General
at the War Office
.
1940 saw Gomme-Duncan placed in command of the 70th Battalion of the Black Watch. In 1941 he was attached to the Royal Air Force
, and in 1942 he became Assistant Adjutant-General at the War Office. Preparing for the invasion of France, Gomme-Duncan commanded 101 Reinforcement Group within 21 Army Group
from 1943 to 1944; he went across to France with the Second Army, where he held a command in Normandy
and also served in Belgium and Holland. He finally left the Army, as a Colonel, in 1945.
, Gomme-Duncan was chosen as Conservative
candidate for Perth
, which included his home at Bridge of Earn, and where the sitting Member was retiring. Gomme-Duncan easily won election to the House of Commons
, obtaining a majority of 10,867.
In November 1945 Gomme-Duncan seconded a motion calling on the Government to withdraw a proposal to build a hydro-electric
scheme on a particularly picturesque highland
lake; he asserted that Parliament should not be led by the Electricity Commissioners in deciding which schemes to progress, and urged the government to consult the people of Scotland. He opposed the Civil Aviation Bill, arguing that it abrogated the Treaty of Union
which guaranteed Scotland freedom of navigation in England.
consisted of "moneylenders and landlords" who did not recognise their responsibilities to the peasants, while the British were the only people for 200 years who protected the "toiling masses". He also defended the landlord and tenant system in Scotland. He succeeded in May 1948 in getting a pledge from Secretary of State for War
Emanuel Shinwell that the Highland regiments would once again be supplied with kilt
s.
He was a critic of the Government's policy in Palestine
when the British mandate was surrendered, arguing that the withdrawal of British troops had been mishandled and that the Government's orders had favoured Jews over Arabs. On 30 November Gomme-Duncan presented a petition signed by 530,000 housewives who called on the Government to provide a fuller ration of fresh and varied meat, and a larger share of unrationed meat. In addition to serious points, however, Gomme-Duncan became known for making humorous remarks in Parliament, frequently provoking laughter.
, Gomme-Duncan's constituency was subjected to boundary changes and renamed Perth and East Perthshire
. Gomme-Duncan increased his majority to 13,144, although the constituency saw the Scottish National Party
obtain its highest vote of that election.
Gomme-Duncan was gratified by the overall electoral failure of the SNP but urged that the signing of the Covenant
by a million people be recognised as a sign of dissatisfaction and a commission established to look at the facts and figures. When the Stone of Scone
was recovered after its kidnap by Scottish nationalists, he called for a tactful response including leaving the stone in Scotland; when it was eventually returned to Westminster Abbey
, he voiced his opposition.
. After the Conservatives returned to power in the 1951 general election
, he asserted that there was a serious lessening in the high reputation of the House of Commons due to the "factious opposition". He good-humouredly suggested sending Hewlett Johnson
, the "Red" Dean of Canterbury
, to a psychiatrist
when the Dean circulated Communist propaganda.
Gomme-Duncan ran into controversy in late 1952, when he claimed that the Chairman of British European Airways
, Lord Douglas of Kirtleside, had made a political speech to BEA workers claiming that a Labour government would increase their wages. Lord Douglas denied making any such speech and the Minister of Civil Aviation
Alan Lennox-Boyd
accepted his denial and issued a statement of confidence. Gomme-Duncan was obliged to withdraw his remarks. However his popularity did not suffer and soon after he was elected a vice-chairman of the 1922 Committee
.
He returned to the issue of hydroelectricity in early 1953, moving to cancel a project in Breadalbane, Perthshire. He was re-elected in the 1955 general election
with a majority of 13,721 over the Scottish National Party candidate, the party's former MP Dr Robert McIntyre
. In the new Parliament he opposed proposals to increase the school leaving age to 16, saying it would, without qualification, be a disaster.
"for political and public services". He was "staunchly" loyal to the Government over the Suez Crisis
, complaining at the outset that some broadcasts by the BBC
to Egypt
contained "complete nonsense" in presenting the British case. After the invasion he supported a motion critical of United States
policy towards Suez for endangering the Atlantic alliance. He was appointed a Senior Grand Deacon in the United Grand Lodge
of Freemasons
in April 1956.
resigned as Prime Minister, Gomme-Duncan announced that he would retire at the end of the Parliament. Given the high political tension, the chairman of the Perth and East Perthshire Unionist Association stressed that there was no connection between the two events, and when Gomme-Duncan next spoke it was to attack the Labour
MP Edith Summerskill
for remarks which Gomme-Duncan asserted had disparaged British troops. He got into a shouting match with the Labour spokesman George Brown
who defended Summerskill and disputed that she had made any such remarks. Gomme-Duncan duly retired at the 1959 general election
.
In Scotland, Gomme-Duncan held several positions of honour, including membership of the Royal Company of Archers
(the Sovereign's Bodyguard
in Scotland); he was a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland
. Gomme-Duncan was President of the Perthshire Musical Festival Association and Vice-President of Perthshire Agricultural Society and of the Boy Scouts
in Perth District.
Military Cross
The Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries....
, originally Alan Gomme Duncan (5 July 1893–13 December 1963) was a British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
army
British Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
officer who served in both World Wars; he was recalled to the army at the age of 45 in advance of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. In a brief break in his career he was Inspector of Prisons for Scotland. After the liberation of Europe he went into politics and served for fourteen years as a Conservative
Conservative Party (UK)
The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House...
Member of Parliament
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
in Scotland, becoming known for humorous remarks combined with a lively partisanship.
Early life and First World War
Duncan was the only son of Alfred Edward Duncan, and was sent to Merchant Taylors' SchoolMerchant Taylors' School, Northwood
Merchant Taylors' School is a British independent day school for boys, originally located in the City of London. Since 1933 it has been located at Sandy Lodge in the Three Rivers district of Hertfordshire ....
. At the outbreak of the First World War, Duncan joined the London Scottish
London Scottish (regiment)
The London Scottish is a unit of the British Army. Formerly a regiment, the unit is now a company of The London Regiment.-Founding of the regiment:...
, serving in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
and Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
. At the beginning of January 1917, while holding the rank of Lieutenant
First Lieutenant
First lieutenant is a military rank and, in some forces, an appointment.The rank of lieutenant has different meanings in different military formations , but the majority of cases it is common for it to be sub-divided into a senior and junior rank...
(and temporary Captain
Captain (OF-2)
The army rank of captain is a commissioned officer rank historically corresponding to command of a company of soldiers. The rank is also used by some air forces and marine forces. Today a captain is typically either the commander or second-in-command of a company or artillery battery...
), he was awarded the Military Cross
Military Cross
The Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries....
. He was later transferred to the Black Watch
Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment)
It all began in 1725 when General Wade, as leader of the King's Army in Scotland, and involved in his great project of building the military roads there, set up six companies of the Highland "Watch". These were formed to stop fighting among the clans; controlling the roads was an important part of...
for whom he served in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
after the armistice and into 1919. During the war, Duncan was twice Mentioned in Despatches, and was also wounded in action. He ended the war with the substantive rank of Captain.
Inter-war army career
After the end of the war, Duncan formed a business partnership with his father, who was a produce broker in the City of LondonCity of London
The City of London is a small area within Greater London, England. It is the historic core of London around which the modern conurbation grew and has held city status since time immemorial. The City’s boundaries have remained almost unchanged since the Middle Ages, and it is now only a tiny part of...
. He married Mary Bourne on 2 April 1919 at Leavesden, Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England. The county town is Hertford.The county is one of the Home Counties and lies inland, bordered by Greater London , Buckinghamshire , Bedfordshire , Cambridgeshire and...
. However, Duncan, still an officer in the Black Watch, was posted to India
British Raj
British Raj was the British rule in the Indian subcontinent between 1858 and 1947; The term can also refer to the period of dominion...
later in 1919; he decided to remain in the army and not to pursue his business, and so the partnership with his father was dissolved on 1 July 1921.
In India, Duncan was a staff officer with the Western Command in Quetta
Quetta
is the largest city and the provincial capital of the Balochistan Province of Pakistan. Known as the "Fruit Garden of Pakistan" due to the diversity of its plant and animal wildlife, Quetta is home to the Hazarganji Chiltan National Park, which contains some of the rarest species of wildlife in the...
from 1923 to 1927. He returned to Britain in 1927, and was a staff officer on the Northern Command based in York
York
York is a walled city, situated at the confluence of the Rivers Ouse and Foss in North Yorkshire, England. The city has a rich heritage and has provided the backdrop to major political events throughout much of its two millennia of existence...
from 1929 to 1933. He returned to India in 1933 for four more years with the Black Watch, before retiring from the army, with the rank of Major, in 1937. He moved to Bridge of Earn
Bridge of Earn
Bridge of Earn is a small town in Perthshire, Scotland.Often referred to simply as 'The Brig' by its inhabitants...
in Perthshire
Perthshire
Perthshire, officially the County of Perth , is a registration county in central Scotland. It extends from Strathmore in the east, to the Pass of Drumochter in the north, Rannoch Moor and Ben Lui in the west, and Aberfoyle in the south...
, and in 1938 he assumed by Authority the surname of Gomme-Duncan instead of Duncan.
Recall to the colours
On 1 November 1938 it was announced that Gomme-Duncan had been appointed HM Inspector of Prisons for ScotlandHer Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons for Scotland
Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons for Scotland is currently Brigadier Hugh Munro .The Inspectorate is directly funded by the Scottish Government.-Origins:...
. This was to be a brief appointment, for Gomme-Duncan was "recalled to the Colours" as a reservist in June 1939. He was appointed Deputy Assistant Adjutant-General
Adjutant-General to the Forces
The Adjutant-General to the Forces, commonly just referred to as the Adjutant-General , is one of the most senior officers in the British Army. He is in charge of administration, personnel and organisational matters. The Adjutant-General usually holds the rank of General or Lieutenant-General...
at the War Office
War Office
The War Office was a department of the British Government, responsible for the administration of the British Army between the 17th century and 1964, when its functions were transferred to the Ministry of Defence...
.
1940 saw Gomme-Duncan placed in command of the 70th Battalion of the Black Watch. In 1941 he was attached to the Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
, and in 1942 he became Assistant Adjutant-General at the War Office. Preparing for the invasion of France, Gomme-Duncan commanded 101 Reinforcement Group within 21 Army Group
Army group
An army group is a military organization consisting of several field armies, which is self-sufficient for indefinite periods. It is usually responsible for a particular geographic area...
from 1943 to 1944; he went across to France with the Second Army, where he held a command in Normandy
Normandy
Normandy is a geographical region corresponding to the former Duchy of Normandy. It is in France.The continental territory covers 30,627 km² and forms the preponderant part of Normandy and roughly 5% of the territory of France. It is divided for administrative purposes into two régions:...
and also served in Belgium and Holland. He finally left the Army, as a Colonel, in 1945.
Political career
For the 1945 general electionUnited Kingdom general election, 1945
The United Kingdom general election of 1945 was a general election held on 5 July 1945, with polls in some constituencies delayed until 12 July and in Nelson and Colne until 19 July, due to local wakes weeks. The results were counted and declared on 26 July, due in part to the time it took to...
, Gomme-Duncan was chosen as Conservative
Conservative Party (UK)
The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House...
candidate for Perth
Perth (UK Parliament constituency)
Perth was a constituency of the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom from 1832 to 1918, 1918 to 1950, and 1997 to 2005. From 1832 to 1918 it was a burgh constituency. From 1918 to 1950, and 1997 to 2005, it was a county constituency...
, which included his home at Bridge of Earn, and where the sitting Member was retiring. Gomme-Duncan easily won election to the House of Commons
British House of Commons
The House of Commons is the lower house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, which also comprises the Sovereign and the House of Lords . Both Commons and Lords meet in the Palace of Westminster. The Commons is a democratically elected body, consisting of 650 members , who are known as Members...
, obtaining a majority of 10,867.
In November 1945 Gomme-Duncan seconded a motion calling on the Government to withdraw a proposal to build a hydro-electric
Hydroelectricity
Hydroelectricity is the term referring to electricity generated by hydropower; the production of electrical power through the use of the gravitational force of falling or flowing water. It is the most widely used form of renewable energy...
scheme on a particularly picturesque highland
Scottish Highlands
The Highlands is an historic region of Scotland. The area is sometimes referred to as the "Scottish Highlands". It was culturally distinguishable from the Lowlands from the later Middle Ages into the modern period, when Lowland Scots replaced Scottish Gaelic throughout most of the Lowlands...
lake; he asserted that Parliament should not be led by the Electricity Commissioners in deciding which schemes to progress, and urged the government to consult the people of Scotland. He opposed the Civil Aviation Bill, arguing that it abrogated the Treaty of Union
Acts of Union 1707
The Acts of Union were two Parliamentary Acts - the Union with Scotland Act passed in 1706 by the Parliament of England, and the Union with England Act passed in 1707 by the Parliament of Scotland - which put into effect the terms of the Treaty of Union that had been agreed on 22 July 1706,...
which guaranteed Scotland freedom of navigation in England.
Indian independence
Gomme-Duncan spoke from experience in late 1946 when he opposed independence for India, contending that the Congress PartyIndian National Congress
The Indian National Congress is one of the two major political parties in India, the other being the Bharatiya Janata Party. It is the largest and one of the oldest democratic political parties in the world. The party's modern liberal platform is largely considered center-left in the Indian...
consisted of "moneylenders and landlords" who did not recognise their responsibilities to the peasants, while the British were the only people for 200 years who protected the "toiling masses". He also defended the landlord and tenant system in Scotland. He succeeded in May 1948 in getting a pledge from Secretary of State for War
Secretary of State for War
The position of Secretary of State for War, commonly called War Secretary, was a British cabinet-level position, first held by Henry Dundas . In 1801 the post became that of Secretary of State for War and the Colonies. The position was re-instated in 1854...
Emanuel Shinwell that the Highland regiments would once again be supplied with kilt
Kilt
The kilt is a knee-length garment with pleats at the rear, originating in the traditional dress of men and boys in the Scottish Highlands of the 16th century. Since the 19th century it has become associated with the wider culture of Scotland in general, or with Celtic heritage even more broadly...
s.
He was a critic of the Government's policy in Palestine
Palestine
Palestine is a conventional name, among others, used to describe the geographic region between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River, and various adjoining lands....
when the British mandate was surrendered, arguing that the withdrawal of British troops had been mishandled and that the Government's orders had favoured Jews over Arabs. On 30 November Gomme-Duncan presented a petition signed by 530,000 housewives who called on the Government to provide a fuller ration of fresh and varied meat, and a larger share of unrationed meat. In addition to serious points, however, Gomme-Duncan became known for making humorous remarks in Parliament, frequently provoking laughter.
Scotland within the United Kingdom
At the 1950 general electionUnited Kingdom general election, 1950
The 1950 United Kingdom general election was the first general election ever after a full term of a Labour government. Despite polling over one and a half million votes more than the Conservatives, the election, held on 23 February 1950 resulted in Labour receiving a slim majority of just five...
, Gomme-Duncan's constituency was subjected to boundary changes and renamed Perth and East Perthshire
Perth and East Perthshire (UK Parliament constituency)
Perth and East Perthshire was a county constituency of the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom from 1950 to 1983. It elected one Member of Parliament by the first past the post system of election.- Boundaries :...
. Gomme-Duncan increased his majority to 13,144, although the constituency saw the Scottish National Party
Scottish National Party
The Scottish National Party is a social-democratic political party in Scotland which campaigns for Scottish independence from the United Kingdom....
obtain its highest vote of that election.
Gomme-Duncan was gratified by the overall electoral failure of the SNP but urged that the signing of the Covenant
Scottish Covenant Association
The Scottish Covenant Association was a non-partisan political organisation in Scotland in the 1940s and 1950s seeking to establish a devolved Scottish Assembly...
by a million people be recognised as a sign of dissatisfaction and a commission established to look at the facts and figures. When the Stone of Scone
Stone of Scone
The Stone of Scone , also known as the Stone of Destiny and often referred to in England as The Coronation Stone, is an oblong block of red sandstone, used for centuries in the coronation of the monarchs of Scotland and later the monarchs of England, Great Britain and the United Kingdom...
was recovered after its kidnap by Scottish nationalists, he called for a tactful response including leaving the stone in Scotland; when it was eventually returned to Westminster Abbey
Westminster Abbey
The Collegiate Church of St Peter at Westminster, popularly known as Westminster Abbey, is a large, mainly Gothic church, in the City of Westminster, London, United Kingdom, located just to the west of the Palace of Westminster. It is the traditional place of coronation and burial site for English,...
, he voiced his opposition.
Political partisanship
In September 1950 Gomme-Duncan was made a delegate to the conference of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association in New ZealandNew Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
. After the Conservatives returned to power in the 1951 general election
United Kingdom general election, 1951
The 1951 United Kingdom general election was held eighteen months after the 1950 general election, which the Labour Party had won with a slim majority of just five seats...
, he asserted that there was a serious lessening in the high reputation of the House of Commons due to the "factious opposition". He good-humouredly suggested sending Hewlett Johnson
Hewlett Johnson
The Very Reverend Hewlett Johnson , was an English clergyman, Dean of Manchester and later Dean of Canterbury, where he acquired his nickname The Red Dean of Canterbury for his unyielding support for the Soviet Union and its allies.-Life:Born in Manchester, the third son of Charles Johnson, a wire...
, the "Red" Dean of Canterbury
Dean of Canterbury
The Dean of Canterbury is the head of the Chapter of the Cathedral of Christ Church, Canterbury, England. The office of dean originated after the English Reformation, and its precursor office was the prior of the cathedral-monastery...
, to a psychiatrist
Psychiatry
Psychiatry is the medical specialty devoted to the study and treatment of mental disorders. These mental disorders include various affective, behavioural, cognitive and perceptual abnormalities...
when the Dean circulated Communist propaganda.
Gomme-Duncan ran into controversy in late 1952, when he claimed that the Chairman of British European Airways
British European Airways
British European Airways or British European Airways Corporation was a British airline which existed from 1946 until 1974. The airline operated European and North African routes from airports around the United Kingdom...
, Lord Douglas of Kirtleside, had made a political speech to BEA workers claiming that a Labour government would increase their wages. Lord Douglas denied making any such speech and the Minister of Civil Aviation
Secretary of State for Transport
The Secretary of State for Transport is the member of the cabinet responsible for the British Department for Transport. The role has had a high turnover as new appointments are blamed for the failures of decades of their predecessors...
Alan Lennox-Boyd
Alan Lennox-Boyd, 1st Viscount Boyd of Merton
Alan Tindal Lennox-Boyd, 1st Viscount Boyd of Merton, CH, PC, DL was a British Conservative politician.-Background, education and military service:...
accepted his denial and issued a statement of confidence. Gomme-Duncan was obliged to withdraw his remarks. However his popularity did not suffer and soon after he was elected a vice-chairman of the 1922 Committee
1922 Committee
In British politics, the 1922 Committee is a committee of Conservative Members of Parliament. Voting membership is limited to backbench MPs although frontbench Conservative MPs have an open invitation to attend meetings. While the party was in opposition, frontbench MPs other than the party leader...
.
He returned to the issue of hydroelectricity in early 1953, moving to cancel a project in Breadalbane, Perthshire. He was re-elected in the 1955 general election
United Kingdom general election, 1955
The 1955 United Kingdom general election was held on 26 May 1955, four years after the previous general election. It resulted in a substantially increased majority of 60 for the Conservative government under new leader and prime minister Sir Anthony Eden against Labour Party, now in their 20th year...
with a majority of 13,721 over the Scottish National Party candidate, the party's former MP Dr Robert McIntyre
Robert McIntyre
Dr Robert Douglas McIntyre was the Leader of the Scottish National Party from 1947–1956 and a doctor by profession...
. In the new Parliament he opposed proposals to increase the school leaving age to 16, saying it would, without qualification, be a disaster.
Political and lodge honours
In the New Years' Honours list of 1956, Gomme-Duncan was created a Knight BachelorKnight Bachelor
The rank of Knight Bachelor is a part of the British honours system. It is the most basic rank of a man who has been knighted by the monarch but not as a member of one of the organised Orders of Chivalry...
"for political and public services". He was "staunchly" loyal to the Government over the Suez Crisis
Suez Crisis
The Suez Crisis, also referred to as the Tripartite Aggression, Suez War was an offensive war fought by France, the United Kingdom, and Israel against Egypt beginning on 29 October 1956. Less than a day after Israel invaded Egypt, Britain and France issued a joint ultimatum to Egypt and Israel,...
, complaining at the outset that some broadcasts by the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
to Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
contained "complete nonsense" in presenting the British case. After the invasion he supported a motion critical of United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
policy towards Suez for endangering the Atlantic alliance. He was appointed a Senior Grand Deacon in the United Grand Lodge
United Grand Lodge of England
The United Grand Lodge of England is the main governing body of freemasonry within England and Wales and in other, predominantly ex-British Empire and Commonwealth countries outside the United Kingdom. It is the oldest Grand Lodge in the world, deriving its origin from 1717...
of Freemasons
Freemasonry
Freemasonry is a fraternal organisation that arose from obscure origins in the late 16th to early 17th century. Freemasonry now exists in various forms all over the world, with a membership estimated at around six million, including approximately 150,000 under the jurisdictions of the Grand Lodge...
in April 1956.
Retirement
At the beginning of 1957, just after Sir Anthony EdenAnthony Eden
Robert Anthony Eden, 1st Earl of Avon, KG, MC, PC was a British Conservative politician, who was Prime Minister from 1955 to 1957...
resigned as Prime Minister, Gomme-Duncan announced that he would retire at the end of the Parliament. Given the high political tension, the chairman of the Perth and East Perthshire Unionist Association stressed that there was no connection between the two events, and when Gomme-Duncan next spoke it was to attack the Labour
Labour Party (UK)
The Labour Party is a centre-left democratic socialist party in the United Kingdom. It surpassed the Liberal Party in general elections during the early 1920s, forming minority governments under Ramsay MacDonald in 1924 and 1929-1931. The party was in a wartime coalition from 1940 to 1945, after...
MP Edith Summerskill
Edith Summerskill
Edith Clara Summerskill, Baroness Summerskill CH PC was a British physician, feminist, misandrist, Labour politician and writer. She was appointed to the Privy Council in 1949.-Early life:...
for remarks which Gomme-Duncan asserted had disparaged British troops. He got into a shouting match with the Labour spokesman George Brown
George Brown, Baron George-Brown
George Alfred Brown, Baron George-Brown, PC was a British Labour politician, who served as the Deputy Leader of the Labour Party from 1960 to 1970, and served in a number of positions in the Cabinet, most notably as Foreign Secretary, in the Labour Government of the 1960s...
who defended Summerskill and disputed that she had made any such remarks. Gomme-Duncan duly retired at the 1959 general election
United Kingdom general election, 1959
This United Kingdom general election was held on 8 October 1959. It marked a third successive victory for the ruling Conservative Party, led by Harold Macmillan...
.
In Scotland, Gomme-Duncan held several positions of honour, including membership of the Royal Company of Archers
Royal Company of Archers
The Royal Company of Archers is a ceremonial unit that serves as the Sovereign's Bodyguard in Scotland, a role it has performed since 1822 and the reign of King George IV, when the company provided a personal bodyguard to the King on his visit to Scotland. It is currently known as the Queen's...
(the Sovereign's Bodyguard
Sovereign's Bodyguard
Sovereign's Bodyguard is the name given to three ceremonial units in the United Kingdom who are tasked with guarding the Sovereign. These units are:*Her Majesty's Bodyguard of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen at Arms - formed 1509...
in Scotland); he was a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland
Society of Antiquaries of Scotland
The Society of Antiquaries of Scotland is the senior antiquarian body in Scotland, with its headquarters in the National Museum, Chambers Street, Edinburgh...
. Gomme-Duncan was President of the Perthshire Musical Festival Association and Vice-President of Perthshire Agricultural Society and of the Boy Scouts
The Scout Association
The Scout Association is the World Organization of the Scout Movement recognised Scouting association in the United Kingdom. Scouting began in 1907 through the efforts of Robert Baden-Powell. The Scout Association was formed under its previous name, The Boy Scout Association, in 1910 by the grant...
in Perth District.