Charles Denman, 5th Baron Denman

Charles Spencer Denman, 5th Baron Denman, was a British businessman. His interest in the Middle East, formed during the Second World War, was the focus for most of his business endeavours.

Early life

Denman was born on 7 July 1916 in Penrith, Cumberland. He was the eldest son of Sir Richard Denman, 1st Baronet, who sat as Liberal Member of Parliament for Carlisle and then as Labour MP for Leeds. He was educated at Shrewsbury School. He left school at 16 with no qualifications.
Following school, he began working as a gardener in Luton Hoo and then in St Mawes, Cornwall. He then set up a market garden at Mylor, Cornwall.

Later life

He was chair of the Saudi-British Society for many years and a supporter of Medical Aid for Palestinians.
Denman died in Highden, West Sussex, aged 96 on 21 November 2012.

Honours and decorations

Denman succeeded to the baronetcy in 1957 on the death of his father and to the barony on the death of his first cousin in 1971.
He was awarded the Military Cross on 13 August 1942 'in recognition of gallant and distinguished service in the Middle East'.
He was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the New Year Honours of 1976. He was appointed Knight Commander of the Royal Order of Francis I in 2004.