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.
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) Robert 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 | Robert 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 | 26 April 1899 |
| Died | 12 January 1981 (aged 81) Wimbledon Common, London, England, United Kingdom |
| Nationality | British |
| Spouse(s) |
Irene, Lady Nicoll (m. 1939) |
| Children | 1 |
| Alma mater | Pembroke College, Oxford |
| Occupation | Colonial administrator |
Early years and colonial service
editNicoll 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
editNicoll 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
editNicoll 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
editNicoll Highway was named in his honour[10] and a portrait of Nicoll by Elliott & Fry hangs in the National Portrait Gallery.
References
edit- ^ "Nicoll, Sir John (Fearns)". ukwhoswho. 1 December 2007.
- ^ a b "John Fearns Nicoll". nlb.gov.sg.
- ^ "No. 39524". The London Gazette. 25 April 1952. p. 2240.
- ^ Singapore: the encyclopedia. Singapore: Editions Didier Millet : National Heritage Board. 11 September 2006. p. 383. ISBN 978-981-4155-63-2.
- ^ a b "Retiring Governor of Singapore Sir John Nicoll with Chief …". www.nas.gov.sg. Retrieved 5 November 2024.
- ^ "No. 37407". The London Gazette. 28 December 1945. p. 9.
- ^ "No. 39732". The London Gazette (Supplement). 30 December 1952. p. 5.
- ^ "No. 39584". The London Gazette. 27 June 1952. p. 3520.
- ^ "No. 48503". The London Gazette. 23 January 1981. p. 1126.
- ^ "Nicoll built the road". The Straits Times. Singapore. 30 June 1956. p. 5. Retrieved 18 December 2019 – via NewspaperSG.
External links
edit- Chua, Alvin (6 July 2009). "Sir John Fearns Nicoll". Singapore Infopedia. National Library Board Singapore. Retrieved 17 August 2010.
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