John Fearns Nicoll Explained

Sir John Fearns Nicoll
Office4:Acting Governor of Fiji
Monarch4:George VI
Term Start4:4 May 1944
Term End4:23 October 1944
Predecessor4:John Rankine (acting)
Successor4:John Rankine (acting)
Office2:Acting High Commissioner for the Western Pacific
Monarch2:George VI
Term Start2:21 March 1947
Term End2:8 October 1947
Predecessor2:Alexander Grantham
Successor2:Brian Freeston
Order1:18th
Office1:Colonial Secretary of Hong Kong
Monarch1:George VI
Elizabeth II
Term Start1:25 May 1949
Term End1:23 January 1952
Predecessor1:David Mercer MacDougall
Successor1:Robert Black
Order:2nd
Office:Governor of Singapore
1Blankname:Chief Minister
1Namedata:David Marshall
Term Start:21 April 1952
Term End:2 June 1955
Predecessor:Franklin Gimson
Wilfred Lawson Blythe (acting)
Successor:William Goode (acting)
Robert Black
Birth Date:26 April 1899
Death Place:Wimbledon Common, London, England, United Kingdom
Nationality:British
Spouse:[1]
Children:1
Alma Mater:Pembroke College, Oxford
Occupation:Colonial administrator

Sir John Fearns Nicoll (26 April 1899 – 12 January 1981) was a British colonial administrator who served as 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 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 and was promoted to Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG) in 1953 New Year Honours.

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

Personal

Nicoll and his wife, Lady Irene, had one son, Anthony Nicoll.

Sir John Fearns Nicoll died on 12 January 1981 at Scio House Hospital, Putney Heath, London, United Kingdom.

Legacy

Nicoll Highway was named in his honour[3] and a portrait of Nicoll by Elliott & Fry hangs in the National Portrait Gallery.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Nicoll, Sir John (Fearns). 1 December 2007. ukwhoswho.
  2. Web site: John Fearns Nicoll. nlb.gov.sg.
  3. News: Nicoll built the road . The Straits Times . Singapore . 30 June 1956 . 18 December 2019 . NewspaperSG . 5 .