John Morrice Cairns James, Baron Saint Brides, GCMG, CVO, MBE, PC (30 April 1916 – 26 November 1989), normally known as Morrice James, was a senior British diplomat. He served as British High Commissioner to Pakistan, India and Australia, and was known as a specialist in the affairs of the Indian Subcontinent.[1]
The Lord Saint Brides | |
|---|---|
 | |
| British High Commissioner to Australia | |
| In office 1971–1976 | |
| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Prime Minister | Edward Heath Harold Wilson |
| Preceded by | Sir Charles Johnston |
| Succeeded by | Sir Donald Tebbit |
| British High Commissioner to India | |
| In office 1968–1971 | |
| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Prime Minister | Harold Wilson Edward Heath |
| Preceded by | John Freeman |
| Succeeded by | Sir Terence Garvey |
| British High Commissioner to Pakistan | |
| In office 1961–1965 | |
| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Prime Minister | Harold Macmillan Alec Douglas-Home Harold Wilson |
| Preceded by | Sir Alexander Symon |
| Succeeded by | Sir Cyril Pickard |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 30 April 1916 |
| Died | 26 November 1989 (aged 73) |
| Nationality | British |
| Alma mater | Balliol College, Oxford |
| Occupation | Diplomat |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Branch/service | Royal Marines |
| Rank | Lieutenant Colonel |
| Battles/wars | Second World War |
| Awards | Member of the Order of the British Empire |
Early life and Second World War
editJames was born on 30 April 1916 and was educated at Bradfield College and Balliol College, Oxford. He joined the Dominions Office in London in 1939, and was Private Secretary to the Permanent Under-Secretary of State from April to August 1940. In August 1940 he joined the Royal Navy as an Ordinary Seaman, was commissioned in the Royal Marines in February of the following year, and ended the war as a lieutenant colonel.
Career
editJames returned to the Dominions Office (which merged with the India Office in 1947 to form the Commonwealth Relations Office) in 1945, and served in South Africa, London, and Pakistan, where he headed the Deputy High Commissions in both Lahore and Karachi during the 1950s. He then served as Deputy High Commissioner in New Delhi before returning to Pakistan as High Commissioner from 1962 to 1965. From 1968 to 1971 he served once more in New Delhi, as High Commissioner, and was appointed High Commissioner to Australia in 1971. He retired from the Diplomatic Service in 1976.[1]
Honours
editJames was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 1944,[2] a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG) in 1957,[3] a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (CVO) in 1961,[4] he was promoted to Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG) in 1962,[5] and to Knight Grand Cross (GCMG) in 1975.[6] He was appointed King of Arms of the Order of St Michael and St George in 1975.[7] He was appointed to the Privy Council in 1966, and was created a life peer as Baron Saint Brides, of Hasguard in the County of Dyfed on 8 February 1977.[8]
Arms
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References
edit- ^ a b "Sir James Morrice" (PDF). David Man. Retrieved 29 June 2006.
- ^ "No. 36544". The London Gazette (Supplement). 8 June 1944. p. 2573.
- ^ "No. 40960". The London Gazette (Supplement). 1 January 1957. p. 4.
- ^ "No. 42301". The London Gazette. 14 March 1961. p. 1923.
- ^ "No. 42552". The London Gazette (Supplement). 1 January 1962. p. 4.
- ^ "No. 46444". The London Gazette (Supplement). 1 January 1975. p. 4.
- ^ "No. 46592". The London Gazette. 6 June 1975. p. 7289.
- ^ "No. 47146". The London Gazette. 10 February 1977. p. 1879.
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