15 Facts About Audrey Callaghan

Audrey Callaghan served as a Labour councillor and later became a campaigner and fundraiser for children's health and welfare.

Audrey Callaghan was born in Maidstone, Kent, where her father was a director of the Lead Wool Company, a tool company.

Audrey Callaghan joined the Labour Party while in her teens and met her future husband in the early 1930s at the Baptist church Sunday school where they both worked, then at the Labour Party, but they did not marry until 28 July 1938, her 23rd birthday.

Audrey Callaghan worked as a dietician at an antenatal clinic in Greenwich during the Second World War, a young mother herself.

Audrey Callaghan made a special study of malnutrition in children and its remedies.

Audrey Callaghan's husband was elected a Member of Parliament for Cardiff in 1945.

Audrey Callaghan appeared publicly during his career, but generally remained private.

In 1958, Audrey Callaghan was elected as the Labour member for Lewisham North for the London County Council.

Audrey Callaghan took a special interest in children's homes and the Children's Committee.

Audrey Callaghan was an alderman of the Greater London Council from 1964 and became chairman of Lewisham Council's children's committee, where she was an alderman, when the GLC was abolished.

In 1969, Audrey Callaghan became the chair of the board of governors of Great Ormond Street Hospital for Sick Children.

Audrey Callaghan continued raising funds for the hospital for the next thirty years, most notably securing an extension of copyright on Peter Pan for the hospital by a Lords amendment moved by her husband.

Audrey Callaghan herself declined a damehood from Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.

James Callaghan died on 26 March 2005, eleven days after Audrey's death, and the day before his 93rd birthday.

Audrey Callaghan had three children: Margaret Jay, Baroness Jay of Paddington, Julia and Michael.