Minister of Defence (United Kingdom) Minister of Defence (United Kingdom) The post of Minister of Defence was responsible for co-ordination of defence and security from its creation in 1940 until its abolition in 1964. The post was a Cabinet-level post and generally ranked above the three service ministers, some of whom, however, continued to also serve in Cabinet. Prior to the outbreak of the Second World War, concerns about British forces being understrength led in 1936 to the creation of the post of Minister for Coordination of Defence by Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin. The post was abolished by Baldwin's successor Neville Chamberlain in April 1940.
Alfred Baldwin (politician) dissolved the partnership. Alfred then moved into Wilden House and took over the Wilden Works, changing the name of the business to "Baldwins Ltd". As well as being an ironmaster, Alfred also became a director and chairman of the Great Western Railway. At the 1892 general election, Baldwin was elected as MP for Bewdley in Worcestershire, holding the seat until his death, when he was succeeded by his only child, Stanley Baldwin, who later became prime minister of the United Kingdom. Other public offices held by Alfred Baldwin were those of Justice of the Peace (JP) for Staffordshire, JP for