The Harlaston man at the back of Lloyd George. 

Article taken from the Tamworth Herald 3rd July 2014 by Andy Winfield.

Youngsters in Harlaston will probably tell you that little ever happens there and that no one of any importance ever came from that neck of the woods.

But in February, 1890, the village's parish register records the baptism of a baby boy who grew up to become the right-hand man of Britain's World War I Prime Minister- David Lloyd George.

Albert James Sylvester (1889 - 1989) was also privy to the scandalous and intimate secrets of the 'Welsh Wizard' who is today regarded as one of the most controversial British politicians of all time. 

In the early years of the 20th century work was hard to find for a 14 year old school leaver in Harlaston. 

Most of the lads would become farm-hands, while girls went into 'service' in the wealthier households. 

Any boy or girl lucky enough to own a bicycle might well have found work in one of the mills in nearby Tamworth, or become a shop assistant.

For the average child the choices were stark, unless they could afford to take further education.

We know little aboout Albert's family, but the lad must have received a privileged education as he learned and excelled in shorthand and typing, which was very rare for a boy in those days.

David Lloyd George was a remarkable man.

Born in 1863, he studied law and became a solicitor. He was encouraged by his uncle, Richard Lloyd, who inspired him so much he added 'Lloyd' to his own name. 

He married Margaret Owen in 1888 and stood for liberals in 1890, in the constituency of Caernarvon Borough, winning by just 19 votes but holding the seat until just before his death in 1945.

Lloyd George was outraged and made a speech in which he said "...should 500 men, ordinary men, chosen accidently from among the unemployed, override the judgement of millions of people who are engaged in the industry which makes the wealth of this country?"

An ailing Edward VII dissolved Parliament, the budget was suspended and a General Election was called.

The liberals were returned, but only by the skin of their teeth, and the law on the Lords power of veto was weakened. 

But there was a darker side to the man.

Although already married, he became known as a womaniser, being nicknamed by his colleagues as 'The Goat'.

Harlaston's Albert Sylvester was appointed to cover a Royal Commission, a job requiring total accuracy. He must have done his job well as he was again employed by the government, keeping records for the war-time Cabinet Committee throughout the Great War and with complete discretion and secrecy. 

Lord Kitchener, the war minister, is believed to have said that he refrained from telling military secrets to Cabinet members as they would tell thier wives, except for Lloyd George - who would tell other men's wives.

The war did not begin well for the Britisg=h and a series of disasters put doubts into the minds of powerful people who questionned Herbert Asquith's leadership.

Asquith was forced to introduce conscription and was accused of being hesitant and muddled.

Then in 1916, Lord Kitchener was drowned near the Orkney Isles. Lloyed George was appointed in his place. 

In December Asquith resigned and a coalition was formed, with David Lloyd George, at the age of 53, becoming the new Prime Minister.

To enable the new government to function more efficiently, the Cabinnet Secretariat was established and Albert was a founder member.

Young Albert had proved his reliability and discretion, which Lloyd George must have noticed, as he signed him up as his Private Secretary.

From that moment on Albert would be 'joined at the hip' with his boss, attending conferences, cabinet meetings and touring the country as the great man delivered inspiring speaches to the masses.

When the war was over, Lloyd George fought and won a General Election in which women were allowed to vote for the first time. 

He became busier than ever, dealing with horrendous employment figures and the mammoth task of negotiating the 'Treaty of versailles' and the post-war resettlement of Europe. He was constantly travelling to the continent and it was Albert's duty to travel with him.

The young man from Harlaston soon became familiar with all the great leaders of Europe as well as Woodrow wilson, Presidet of the Uited States.

As Lloyd-George's Private Secretary and confidant, Albert witnessed many arguments between his boss and his mistreated wife over his philandering, but this was kept out of the public eye.

One of Lloyd George's office secretaryies, Frances Stevenson, became very special to the Prime Minister and a clandestine relationship ensued. But it wasn't long before tongues wagged.

In the 1923 General election Lloyd George's coalition were swept from power by the Conservatives, led by Stanley Baldwin. 

It sparked the beginning of the decline of the Liberal Party as they could only make third place behind a rapidly growing Labour Party.

Throughout the 1920's and 1930's Lloyd George's political ideals became marginalised although in 1929, he was appointed 'Father of the House'.

In the late 1930's, Lloyd george was explicit in his opposition to war against Germany, and even had meetings with Hitler.

During the Second World War he was seen as a defeatist.

His wife died in 1940, faithful to the end. 

In 1943, against his children's wishes, Lloyd George married his long-time mistress, Frances Stevenson. And in the New Years Honours list of 1945, he was elevated to the House of Lords.

He died of cancer on March 26th 1945, aged 82, Frances and his daughter Megan at his bedside.

Four days later, on Good Friday, he was burried beside the River Dwyfor in Llanystumdwy.

The death od Lloyd George spelt redundancy for Albert, although the great man had left him £1000 in his will.

Albert's aspirations to write a biography were thwarted by Frances, now known as the Countess of Dwyfor, who didn't want their 'dirty linnen' washed in public.

He did publish his memoires, however, the first one entitled The Real Lloyd George, followed by another, Secret Revelations.

Albert made two television interviews and even appeared on television as a gracefull 88-year-old ballroom dancer.

The people of Harlaston can be very proud of him.