Oliver Lyttelton, 1st Viscount Chandos, KG, DSO, MC, PC (15 March 1893 – 21 January 1972) was a British businessman from the Lyttelton family who was brought into government during the Second World War, holding a number of ministerial posts.
For conspicuous gallantry in action. He showed great bravery in the attack, led a company forward, and was largely instrumental in taking 100 prisoners. He stuck to his position for five hours under fire, till obliged to retire to prevent being surrounded.[1]
From 1947 to 1955 he served as the first President of Farnborough Bowling Club, Hampshire, in his Aldershot parliamentary constituency.
In August 1920 Lyttelton was invited to join the British Metal Corporation, a firm established at the instigation of the British government with the long-term strategic objective of undermining Germany's domination of the metal trade and making the British Empire self-supporting in non-ferrous metals. After a brief apprenticeship Lyttelton served as general manager of the corporation and subsequently as managing director. He also became chairman of the London Tin Corporation and joined the boards of a number of foreign companies, including that of the German firm Metallgesellschaft. He became one of a small group of individuals who through their multiple, interlocking directorships, effectively controlled the global metal trade. . . . On the outbreak of war in September 1939 he was appointed controller of non-ferrous metals. He set about exploiting his extensive network of personal contacts and his intimate knowledge of the mining industry in order to secure for Britain vital supplies of metals at highly advantageous rates. His unconventional methods caused some anxiety at the Treasury, but over the course of the war they saved Britain a substantial amount of money.
Lyttelton was strongly anti-communist and in 1953 said "Her Majesty's Government are not prepared to tolerate the setting up of Communist states in the British Commonwealth".[5]
During the 1963 Conservative Party leadership contest, Lyttelton favoured Rab Butler, but he no longer carried much influence in the party.[6]
Family home
In 1948, the 5th Earl Nelson sold Trafalgar Park, Wiltshire, to John Osborne, 11th Duke of Leeds, whose brother-in-law Oliver Lyttelton, 1st Viscount Chandos, lived there while he was an MP. Eventually Lyttleton bought the estate and lived there until 1971, when Jeremy Pinckney bought the house.
Later career
After ending his career as an MP, Chandos returned to Associated Electrical Industries, and steered it to become a major British company. In 1961 he was invited to deliver the MacMillan Memorial Lecture to the Institution of Engineers and Shipbuilders in Scotland. He chose the subject "Jungle – or Cloister? – Some Thoughts on the Present Industrial Scene".[7]
National Theatre
In 1962, Chandos became the first chairman of the National Theatre, serving until 1971. He then served as president until his death. His parents had been active campaigners for its development, and the Lyttelton Theatre, part of the National's South Bank complex, was named after him.
During Laurence Olivier's tenure as director of the National, Chandos was a central figure in the controversy over a proposed production of Rolf Hochhuth's Soldiers. The production had been championed by Olivier's dramaturg, Kenneth Tynan. Though Olivier, a great admirer of Winston Churchill (who essentially is accused of assassinating Polish Prime Minister General Władysław Sikorski by Hochhuth) did not particularly like the play or its depiction of Churchill (whom Tynan wanted him to play), he backed his dramaturg. There was a potential problem with the Lord Chamberlain, who might not have licensed the play due to its controversial stand on Churchill. The National's board vetoed the production and Lord Chandos damned the play as a "grotesque and grievous libel".[8]
The Hon Nicholas Adrian Oliver Lyttelton (born 26 March 1937)
Lord Chandos died in Marylebone, London, in January 1972, aged 78, and was succeeded by his eldest son, Antony. Lady Chandos died in May 1976, aged 84.
Arms
Coat of arms of Oliver Lyttelton, 1st Viscount Chandos, KG, DSO, MC, PC
Coronet
A Viscount's Coronet
Crest
A moor's head in profile couped at the shoulders proper wreathed around the temples Argent and Sable the ear ringed Argent and charged on the neck with a cross moline for difference Gules.
Escutcheon
Argent a chevron between three escallops Sable in centre chief a cross moline for difference Gules.
Supporters
On either side a merman proper holding in the outer hand a trident pendant from a rope around the inner shoulder an escutcheon Or charged with a pile Gules, being the original arms of Chandos.
Motto
FAIS CE QUE DOIT; ADVIENNE QUE POURRA (Do what one must, come what may).
^Select Documents on the Constitutional History of the British Empire and Commonwealth: The end of empire: dependencies since 1948. Indiana University. 1985. p. 238.
^"Garter Banner Location"(PDF). College of St George - Windsor Castle. June 2015. Archived from the original(PDF) on 18 November 2015. Retrieved 17 November 2015.
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