Sir Tom McCaffrey | |
|---|---|
| Downing Street Press Secretary | |
| In office 1976–1979 | |
| Prime Minister | James Callaghan |
| Preceded by | Joe Haines |
| Succeeded by | Henry James |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Thomas Daniel McCaffrey (1922-02-20)20 February 1922 Glasgow, Scotland |
| Died | 8 July 2016(2016-07-08) (aged 94) |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 6 |
| Education | Hyndland Secondary School St Aloysius college, Glasgow |
| Occupation | Civil servant |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Branch/service | Royal Air Force |
| Years of service | 1940–1945 |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
Sir Thomas Daniel McCaffrey (20 February 1922 – 8 July 2016) was a British civil servant who served asDowning Street Press Secretary underJames Callaghan from 1976 to 1979.[1][2]
Tom McCaffrey was born inGlasgow and educated at the localHyndland Secondary School.[3] Later he would attend the JesuitSt Aloysius college. He was the son of a travelling salesman, William McCaffrey and his wife Bridget (nee McCafferty). DuringWorld War II he joined theRoyal Air Force and served as a wireless radio operator.
After demobilisation in 1945 he commenced his career with thecivil service, eventually going on to serve as Downing Street Press Secretary for Labour prime ministerJames 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 the1979 dissolution honours list.[5]
In 1949, he married Agnes Douglas, known as Nancy. The union bore four daughters and two sons.[1]
| Government offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Downing Street Press Secretary 1976–1979 | Succeeded by Henry James |