Tom McCaffrey (political adviser)

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Sir
Tom McCaffrey
Downing Street Press Secretary
In office
1976–1979
Prime MinisterJames Callaghan
Preceded byJoe Haines
Succeeded byHenry James
Personal details
Born
Thomas Daniel McCaffrey

(1922-02-20)20 February 1922
Glasgow
Died8 July 2016(2016-07-08) (aged 94)
Spouse
Agnes (Nancy) Douglas
​
​
(m. 1949)​
Children6
EducationHyndland Secondary School
St Aloysius college, Glasgow
OccupationCivil servant
Military service
AllegianceUnited Kingdom
Branch/serviceRoyal Air Force
Years of service1940–1945
Battles/warsWorld War II

Sir Thomas Daniel McCaffrey (born 20 February 1922; died 8 July 2016), was a British former civil servant who served as Downing Street Press Secretary under James Callaghan from 1976 to 1979.[1][2]

Early life

Tom McCaffrey was born in Glasgow and educated at the local Hyndland Secondary School.[3] Later he would attend the Jesuit St Aloysius college. He was the son of a travelling salesman, William McCaffrey and his wife Bridget (nee McCafferty). During World War II he joined the Royal Air Force and served as a wireless radio operator.

Career

After demobilisation in 1945 he commenced his career with the civil service, eventually going on to serve as Downing Street Press Secretary for Labour prime minister James Callaghan. After the defeat of Callaghan in the 1979 general election, he went to work for the new Labour party leader, Michael Foot.[4]

Tom McCaffrey was knighted in the 1979 dissolution honours list.[5]

Personal life

In 1949, he married Agnes Douglas, known as Nancy. The union bore four daughters and two sons.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b "Sir Tom McCaffrey obituary". the Guardian. 26 July 2016. Retrieved 10 February 2022.
  2. ^ "Sir Tom McCaffrey". ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 10 February 2022.
  3. ^ "Sir Tom McCaffrey, Callaghan's press secretary – obituary". The Telegraph. 12 July 2016. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 10 February 2022.
  4. ^ "Obituary - Sir Tom McCaffrey, Glaswegian who served as James Callaghan's press secretary at height of union strife". HeraldScotland. Retrieved 10 February 2022.
  5. ^ "Page 7600 | Supplement 47868, 14 June 1979 | London Gazette | The Gazette". www.thegazette.co.uk. Retrieved 10 February 2022.
Government offices
Preceded by Downing Street Press Secretary
1976–1979 		Succeeded by
Henry James
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