John Fearns Nicoll

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


John Fearns Nicoll

KCMG KStJ
John Fearns Nicoll2.jpg
Acting Governor of Fiji
In office
4 May 1944 – 23 October 1944
MonarchGeorge VI
Preceded bySir John Rankine (Acting)
Succeeded bySir John Rankine (Acting)
In office
21 March 1947 – 8 October 1947
MonarchGeorge VI
Preceded bySir Alexander Grantham
Succeeded bySir Brian Freeston
Acting High Commissioner for the Western Pacific
In office
21 March 1947 – 8 October 1947
MonarchGeorge VI
Preceded bySir Alexander Grantham
Succeeded bySir Brian Freeston
18th Colonial Secretary of Hong Kong
In office
25 May 1949 – 23 January 1952
MonarchGeorge VI
Elizabeth II
Preceded byDavid Mercer MacDougall
Succeeded bySir Robert Black
2nd Governor of Singapore
In office
21 April 1952 – 2 June 1955
MonarchElizabeth II
Preceded bySir Franklin Charles Gimson
Wilfred Lawson Blythe (Acting)
Succeeded bySir William Goode (Acting)
Sir Robert Black
Personal details
Born(1899-04-26)26 April 1899
Died12 January 1981(1981-01-12) (aged 81)
Wimbledon Common, England, United Kingdom
NationalityBritish
Spouse(s)
Irene Nicoll
(m. 1939)
[1]
Children1 son
Alma materPembroke College, Oxford
University of Oxford
OccupationColonial administrator

Sir John Fearns Nicoll, KCMG KStJ (26 April 1899 – 12 January 1981) was a British colonial governor. He was Colonial Secretary of Hong Kong from 1949 to 1952, and Governor of Singapore from 1952 to 1955.

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 and left the Governorship the following year. Nicoll retired from the Colonial Service and returned to Britain.

Awards and honours[]

Nicoll was invested as Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG) in the 1946 New Year Honours[4] and Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG) in 1953 New Year Honours.[5]

He was knighted with Order of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem (KStJ) in 1952.[6]

Personal[]

Nicoll was married to Irene and had one son, Anthony Nicoll.

Nicoll died on 12 January 1981 at Scio House Hospital, Putney Heath, United Kingdom.[7]

Legacy[]

Nicoll Highway was named in his honour[8] and a portrait of Nicoll by Elliott & Fry hangs in the National Portrait Gallery.

References[]

  1. ^ "Nicoll, Sir John (Fearns)". ukwhoswho. 1 December 2007.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b "John Fearns Nicoll". nlb.gov.sg.
  3. ^ "No. 39524". The London Gazette. 25 April 1952. p. 2240.
  4. ^ "No. 37407". The London Gazette. 28 December 1945. p. 9.
  5. ^ "No. 39732". The London Gazette (Supplement). 30 December 1952. p. 5.
  6. ^ "No. 39584". The London Gazette. 27 June 1952. p. 3520.
  7. ^ "No. 48503". The London Gazette. 23 January 1981. p. 1126.
  8. ^ "Nicoll built the road". The Straits Times. Singapore. 30 June 1956. p. 5. Retrieved 18 December 2019 – via NewspaperSG.

External links[]

  • Chua, Alvin (6 July 2009). "Sir John Fearns Nicoll". Singapore Infopedia. National Library Board Singapore. Retrieved 17 August 2010.
Government offices
Preceded by
Sir John Rankine (Acting)
Acting Governor of Fiji
1944
Succeeded by
Sir John Rankine (Acting)
Preceded by
Sir Alexander Grantham (Acting)
Acting Governor of Fiji
1947
Succeeded by
Sir Brian Freeston (Acting)
Preceded by
David Mercer MacDougall
Colonial Secretary of Hong Kong
1949-1952
Succeeded by
Sir Robert Black
Preceded by
Franklin Charles Gimson
Wilfred Lawson Blythe (Acting)
Governor of Singapore
1952-1955
Succeeded by
Sir William Goode (Acting)
Sir Robert Black


Retrieved from ""