Walter Crocker
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(as Governor)
(as Governor)
Douglas Nicholls (1976–1977)
Keith Seaman (1977–1982)
Donald Dunstan (1982)
Sir Walter Crocker | |
|---|---|
 Sir Walter Crocker in 1953 | |
| Administrator of South Australia | |
| In office 30 April 1977 – 1 September 1977 | |
| Preceded by | Douglas Nicholls (as Governor) |
| Succeeded by | Keith Seaman (as Governor) |
| Lieutenant-Governor of South Australia | |
| In office 3 September 1973 – 27 June 1982 | |
| Governor | Mark Oliphant (1973–1976) Douglas Nicholls (1976–1977) Keith Seaman (1977–1982) Donald Dunstan (1982) |
| Preceded by | Mellis Napier |
| Succeeded by | Condor Laucke |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Walter Russell Crocker 25 March 1902 |
| Died | 14 November 2002 (aged 100) |
| Spouse |
Claire Ward (m. 1951) |
| Occupation | Public servant, diplomat |
Sir Walter Russell Crocker KBE (25 March 1902 – 14 November 2002) was an Australian diplomat, writer and war veteran.
Crocker was born in Broken Hill, New South Wales, the eldest son of Robert Crocker and Alma Bray.[1] He served in World War II with the British Army, becoming a lieutenant colonel.[1]
He was ambassador or high commissioner to eleven countries, including India (twice), Indonesia, Canada,[2] Italy, Belgium, Nepal, the Netherlands, Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda.[3] He headed the Department of International Relations at the Research School of Pacific (and Asian) Studies, Australian National University, 1949–1954.[4]
Crocker was a Lieutenant-Governor of South Australia for more than nine years.[1] He and his wife, Claire, had two sons, Robert and Christopher.[5]
Crocker was interviewed in 1977, by T.B. Miller. The interview can be found at the National Library of Australia.[6]
Books
Crocker authored a well-received biography of Jawaharlal Nehru titled Nehru: A Contemporary's Estimate (1966).
Awards
Crocker was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1955 while Australian Ambassador to Indonesia.[7] He was later promoted to Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE) in 1977, in recognition of his service to the public.[8]
