Known as Carol, David Carol MacDonnell Mather was born in Adlington, near Macclesfield, in 1919. Son of Loris Emerson Mather. Grandson of Sir William Mather. Was briefly employed in the family firm of Mather & Platt before enlisting for service in the Welsh Guards during the Second World War. Fought under General Montgomery, who recommended him for the Military Cross after he infiltrated German-held Nijmegen during the Battle of Arnhem in September 1944. He continued his military career after the Second World War, serving in Palestine, Athens and with the War Office. He resigned his commission in 1962 and joined the Research Department of the Conservative Party. He was elected as Conservative MP for Esher in 1970. He was appointed opposition whip in 1975 and became government whip following the Conservative election victory in 1979. He was knighted in 1987 and retired from politics.

Carol Mather also worked for various local civic and industrial organisations. He was involved in creating the first environmental clean up of Manchester codenamed 'Operation Spring Clean'. He was also involved with the Civic Trust for the North West (CTNW), the North West Development Council and Trafford Park Development Corporation.

Carol Mather died in Lower Oddington, Gloucestershire in 2006.