Henry Wagstaffe Thomson CMG (22 February 1874 – 22 April 1941) was a British colonial administrator who served in Malaya from 1896 to 1928.
Henry Wagstaffe Thomson | |
|---|---|
| British Adviser Kelantan | |
| In office 1919–1921 | |
| Preceded by | John Whitehouse Ward Hughes |
| Succeeded by | Arthur Furley Worthington |
| British Resident Pahang | |
| In office 1921–1926 | |
| Preceded by | Cecil William Chase Parr |
| Succeeded by | Arthur Furley Worthington |
| British Resident Selangor (Acting) | |
| In office 1926–1926 | |
| Preceded by | Oswald Francis Gerard Stonor |
| Succeeded by | James Lornie |
| British Resident Perak | |
| In office 1926–1929 | |
| Preceded by | Oswald Francis Gerard Stonor |
| Succeeded by | Arthur Furley Worthington |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 22 February 1874 |
| Died | 22 April 1941 (aged 67) In Torquay in German air raid |
| Nationality | British |
| Spouse | Yvonne Mary Winn |
| Profession | Colonial administrator |
Early life
editHenry Wagstaffe Thomson was born on 22 February 1874, and was educated at Trinity College, Oxford.[1]
Career
editIn 1896, he entered the civil service of the Federated Malay States in Selangor as a cadet, was acting assistant Collector of Revenue in Kuala Lumpur (1899-1900), and District Officer at Serendah and then at Kuantan (1900-1903).[2]
In 1903, he was sent on secondment by the government of the Federated Malay States to act as assistant to the British adviser in Kelantan, Siam, where he remained until 1910, receiving from the King of Siam, on an official visit to Kelantan, the 4th Class of the Order of the Crown of Siam.[2][3]
In 1910, he returned to the Federated Malay States and occupied various positions including District Officer, Klang (1910-1913),[4] Collector of Land Revenue and Registrar of Titles, Selangor (1914-15),[5] District Officer, Larut (1915), and Registrar of Titles, Perak.
In 1919, whilst serving as Chairman of the Kinta Sanitary Board, he was appointed to the substantive position of British adviser to Kelantan having previously acted as assistant in the state for seven years.[6] He remained in office until 1921 when he was appointed British Resident of Pahang, and after five years occupied the same position in Perak, prior to which he briefly acted as British Resident in Selangor.[7] In 1927, he was made Acting Chief Secretary of the Federated Malay States.[8]
Retirement and death
editThomson retired in 1928 to England.[9] He was killed on 22 April 1941 in Torquay during a German bombing raid.[1][10]
Honours
editIn 1905, Thomson received the 4th Class Order of the Crown of Siam from the King of Siam whilst serving in Kelantan.[3][11]
In 1927, he was awarded the Order of St Michael and St George.[12][13]
References
edit- ^ a b "Former British Resident Of Pahang Dead". Sunday Tribune (Singapore). 27 April 1941. p. 16.
- ^ a b Who's who in the Far East, 1906-7, June. University of California Libraries. Hongkong, China mail. 1906. p. 391.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link) - ^ a b "Untitled". Pinang Gazette and Straits Chronicle. 14 July 1905. p. 5.
- ^ "Government Changes". The Straits Times. 29 January 1910. p. 7.
- ^ "Federal appointments". Straits Echo. 2 March 1914. p. 7.
- ^ "Social and personal". Pinang Gazette and Straits Chronicle. 8 February 1919. p. 5.
- ^ "Untitled". The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser. 29 December 1925. p. 11.
- ^ "Social and Personal". The Straits Times. 7 May 1927. p. 8.
- ^ "Hon. Mr. H. W. Thomson's Departure from Malaya". The Straits Budget. 6 December 1928. p. 16.
- ^ "Deaths". The Straits Times. 29 April 1941. p. 2.
- ^ "Page 1322 | Issue 11788, 22 December 1905 | Edinburgh Gazette | The Gazette". www.thegazette.co.uk. Retrieved 2024-03-14.
- ^ "Birthday Honours". Pinang Gazette and Straits Chronicle. 4 June 1927. p. 8.
- ^ "Supplement 33280, 31 May 1927 | London Gazette | The Gazette". www.thegazette.co.uk. Retrieved 2024-03-14.