1945
(488)
(Company Director).
Son of the late Charles Thomas Worthington of Osbournby, Lincs. Born at Leicester on February 20th, 1897, educated at Wyggeston School, Leicester, and Heidelberg, Germany.
Commissioned in the Royal Flying Corps, 1916, and served as a fighter pilot in France and Belgium. Officially credited with several air victories.
Joined his father's multiple, shop provision business and became Chairman and Managing Director in 1925.
Founded in 1931 a margarine and edible oil business with extensive factories in Hull and Mitcham. Was in 1934 a joint, founder of the Odeon Circuit of Cinema Theatres.
President of the Leicester and County Chamber of Commerce, 1937, 39.
Elected to the Leicester City Council, as an Independent, at a Bye, election in St. Martin's Ward in September, 1936. Later represented Evington Ward as a Conservative.
Member of Watch, Water, Markets, Publicity and Development, Parliamentary and General Purposes Committees and Chairman of the Highway and Sewer, age Committee and a representative of Leicester on the Derwent Valley Water Board.
On the formation of the Air Raid Precautions Committee in 1938 he was appointed a member and there, after made this subject his particular study. Specially appointed by the Council in December, 1940, City Welfare Officer to coordinate "Post Raid" activities; created and built up an organization for this purpose. Appointed in July, 1941, Controller of Civil Defence, which Office he held until the War was over.
Created a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the King's Birthday Honours, June, 1943. When, in July, 1944, London was heavily attacked with flying bombs and rockets, he organized the reception, billeting, etc., of over 30,000 evacuees from that City in Leicester.
From 1941 to 1945 was an honorary Flight Lieutenant in the Royal Air Force and commanded the Leicester (Secondary) Schools Squadron of the Air Training Corps.
Appointed a Justice of the Peace in January, 1941. His year of Mayoralty is notable in that on October 30th, 1946, Their Majesties King George VI and Queen Elizabeth paid an official visit to Leicester. This visit was in response to the personal request of Councillor Worthington to His Majesty.
Married in September, 1921, Winifred Boning Hextall Lovell, only daughter of Alderman Walter J. Lovell, J.P., (Mayor of Leicester, 1918-1919) by whom he has issue, one son and two daughters.
Residence- Barrington Road, Leicester.
