David Walder

Alan David Walder (13 November 1928 – 26 October 1978) was a British Conservative Party politician, author and barrister who was the Member of Parliament for High Peak from 1961 to 1966, and for Clitheroe from 1970 until his death.

Background Born in St Pancras, London, Walder was educated at Latymer School and Christ Church, Oxford. He was commissioned into the Royal Artillery in 1948. In 1953 he transferred to the 4th Hussars (Army Emergency Reserve) and was promoted lieutenant. He was promoted captain in 1956, and later promoted Major. He became a barrister, called to the bar by Inner Temple in 1956.

Career He unsuccessfully contested the Leicester South West constituency at the 1959 general election. He was elected Member of Parliament (MP) for High Peak at a 1961 by-election, but lost the seat at the 1966 general election, to Labour's Peter Jackson.

Walder's successor at the by-election following his death was David Waddington.

Walder was also a noted author and military historian. His works included humorous fiction relating primarily to his experiences in the army and politics, and comprised: Bags of Swank (1963) The Short List (1964) The House Party (1966) The Fair Ladies of Salamanca (1967) The Chanak Affair (1969) The Short Victorious War: Russo-Japanese Conflict 1904–5 (1973) Nelson (1978).

Personal life and death In 1956, Walder married Elspeth Milligan, and they had four children.

On 26 October 1978, Walder was dining at a London restaurant when he suffered an apparent heart attack; he died later that evening at St Stephen's Hospital, at the age of 49.