John Nicoll (colonial administrator)
British colonial administrator
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sir John Fearns Nicoll KCMG KStJ (26 April 1899 – 12 January 1981) was a British colonial administrator who served as Governor of Singapore from 1952 to 1955.
Wilfred Lawson Blythe (acting)
Robin Black
Sir John Nicoll | |
|---|---|
Nicoll in 1952 | |
| 2nd Governor of Singapore | |
| In office 21 April 1952 – 2 June 1955 | |
| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Chief Minister | David Marshall |
| Preceded by | Franklin Gimson Wilfred Lawson Blythe (acting) |
| Succeeded by | William Goode (acting) Robin Black |
| 18th Colonial Secretary of Hong Kong | |
| In office 25 May 1949 – 23 January 1952 | |
| Monarchs | George VI Elizabeth II |
| Preceded by | David Mercer MacDougall |
| Succeeded by | Robin Black |
| Acting High Commissioner for the Western Pacific | |
| In office 21 March 1947 – 8 October 1947 | |
| Monarch | George VI |
| Preceded by | Alexander Grantham |
| Succeeded by | Brian Freeston |
| Acting Governor of Fiji | |
| In office 4 May 1944 – 23 October 1944 | |
| Monarch | George VI |
| Preceded by | John Rankine (acting) |
| Succeeded by | John Rankine (acting) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | John Fearns Nicoll 26 April 1899 |
| Died | 12 January 1981 (aged 81) Wimbledon Common, London, England |
| Spouse(s) |
Irene, Lady Nicoll (m. 1939) |
| Children | 1 |
| Alma mater | Pembroke College, Oxford |
| Occupation | Colonial administrator |
Early years and colonial service
Nicoll was born in 1899 and attended Carlisle Grammar School, Pembroke College, Oxford and University of Oxford and embarked on a colonial career in British Protectorate of North Borneo in 1921.[2]
Nicoll became Deputy Colonial Secretary of the British Crown Colony Trinidad and Tobago in 1937, the Colonial Secretary of the British Colony of Fiji from 1944 to 1949. During this time, he served as Acting Governor twice, in 1944 and 1947. This was followed by his appointment as administrator and Colonial Secretary of Hong Kong in 1949.[2]
Nicoll became Governor of Singapore in 1952[3] and was present during the 1954 National Service riots. After the Hock Lee bus riots in May 1955, Nicoll retired from the Governorship and Colonial Service in June.[4][5] He returned to Britain.[5]
Awards and honours
Nicoll was invested as Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG) in the 1946 New Year Honours[6] and was promoted to Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG) in 1953 New Year Honours.[7]
He was knighted with Order of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem (KStJ) in 1952.[8]
Personal
Nicoll and his wife, Irene, had one son, Anthony Nicoll.
Nicoll died on 12 January 1981 at Scio House Hospital, Putney Heath, London, United Kingdom.[9]
Legacy
Nicoll Highway was named in his honour[10] and a portrait of Nicoll by Elliott & Fry hangs in the National Portrait Gallery.
.svg){kind=small}
