Clive Bossom


Sir Clive Bossom, 2nd Baronet, was a British Conservative politician and Member of Parliament.

Early life and political career

Bossom was the son of Alfred Charles Bossom and Emily Bayne. Born in New York City, he was educated at Eton. As a regular soldier he served throughout the Second World War in The Buffs in Europe and the Far East rising to the rank of Major. He resigned his commission in 1948.
His political career began in 1949 when he became a County Councillor in Kent until 1951 and he was subsequently Conservative Member of Parliament for Leominster from 1959 to 1974. During this time he was also Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance from 1960 to 1961, to the Secretary of State for Air from 1962 to 1964, to the Minister of Defence in 1964 and to the Home Secretary from 1970 to 1972. Bossom succeeded to the baronetcy as Sir Clive Bossom on 4 September 1965.

Other interests

Outside politics he was a director of Vosper from 1973 to 1988, chairman of Europ Assistance Ltd, chairman of the Anglo-Eastern Bank, director of the Northern Star Insurance Co, chairman of the Royal Automobile Club, the British Motor Sports Council, vice-chairman of the British Roads Federation, vice-president of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile, president of IFPA, and Master of the Worshipful Company of Grocers. Bossom was also active in international relations. He was president of the Anglo-Netherlands Society, Anglo-Belgian Society and the Iran Society. He received several awards from these countries.
In the social fields, he was international president of the International Social Service for Refugees, chairman of the Ex-Servicemens War Disabled Help Committee and vice-chairman Joint Committee of the Red Cross and St John. He was Almoner of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem between 1987 and 1993. Bossom was a patron of the charity Children and Families Across Borders.

Private life

Bossom married Lady Barbara Joan North on 28 September 1951; the couple had four children.

Awards and decorations