William Baldwin was working as a draper’s assistant in Ludlow when he and his wife Elizabeth emigrated to America to work in the timber industry. His son, Archer Ernest Baldwin, was reputedly born in a log cabin near Rugby, Tennessee. They returned to England a few years later and Archer was sent to Lucton School, Herefordshire. On leaving school he entered the family business as a cattle and sheep breeder.

In 1911 he married Minnie Powell and settled in Stoke Bliss, Tenbury Wells. He became an auctioneer and land agent with a well-established Leominster firm (see also Geoffrey Bright), of which he eventually became a partner.

He served in the Royal Horse Artillery in the First World War. During an attack on the Hindenburg Line in 1918 his battery were firing a barrage in support of the infantry when it was heavily shelled. Despite being wounded he continued to supervise the guns and would not leave his post until led away by another officer. He was awarded the Military Cross for this action.

Baldwin was active in the National Farmers Union, and was elected as a Conservative MP in 1945, serving as the Member of Parliament for Leominster until 1959. He was active in promoting farming interests and for part of this time he was the Conservative spokesman on Agriculture. He was a frequent speaker at events related to farming, and served as Vice President of the Poultry Association.

He was knighted in 1958, and was for a time Deputy Lieutenant of Herefordshire.

He died at his home in Tenbury Wells, Worcestershire, aged 82.

See all Leominster People