Clinton Pelham
British diplomat (1898–1984)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sir George Clinton Pelham (20 May 1898 – 17 June 1984) was a British diplomat who served as ambassador to Saudi Arabia from 1951 to 1955 and ambassador to Czechoslovakia from 1955 to 1957.
Sir Clinton Pelham | |
|---|---|
| British Ambassador to Czechoslovakia | |
| In office 1955–1957 | |
| Preceded by | Sir Derwent Kermode |
| Succeeded by | Sir Paul Grey |
| British Ambassador to Saudi Arabia | |
| In office 1951–1955 | |
| Preceded by | Alan Trott |
| Succeeded by | Sir Harold Beeley |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 20 May 1898 |
| Died | 17 June 1984 (aged 86) |
| Children | 2 |
| Occupation | Diplomat |
Early life and education
Career
After serving during World War I from 1915 to 1918, Pelham joined the Foreign Office in 1920[3] after working briefly at the Customs and Excise Department.[4] In 1923, he transferred to the Far Eastern Consular Service as a student interpreter,[5] and in the following year was appointed vice-consul in China.[6] In 1934, he served as commercial secretary at Peking.[1][2][7]
In 1943, Pelham was appointed acting consul-general in Madagascar. He then served at Baghdad as first secretary (commercial) in 1945,[8] promoted to counsellor (commercial) the following year, and counsellor (commercial) at Madrid from 1948 to 1951.[1][2][9]
Pelham then served as Ambassador to Saudi Arabia from 1951 to 1955,[10] and Ambassador to Czechoslovakia from 1955 to 1957.[1][2][9][11]
In retirement Pelham became a Fellow of the Royal Geographic Society (FRGS), and was a county councillor for West Sussex from 1963 to 1970.[1][2]
Personal life and death
Honours
Pelham was appointed Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG) in the 1949 New Year Honours.[12] He was appointed Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE) in the 1957 New Year Honours.[13]