Frederick Lister

Sir Thomas Frederick Lister CBE (23 November 1886 – 13 March 1966) was the first chairman of the British Legion. Along with Field Marshal The 1st Earl Haig, Lister was a leading advocate for the foundation of the British Legion in the aftermath of the First World War.

Early life Lister was born in Manchester, the son of insurance surveyor Thomas Lister. He was educated at Tranmere higher grade school, and worked as insurance clerk in Liverpool.

He married Isobel Lewis, daughter of a shipping clerk, on 31 July 1911. They had no children. and knighted in the 1961 New Year Honours.

Lister combined his duties with the British Legion with a full-time job as the accident department manager of an insurance company. He died at his home in Birkenhead, aged 79.