Walter Nutt Explained

Honorific Prefix:The Honourable
Walter Frederick Nutt
Honorific Suffix:OBE
Birth Date:1874
Birth Place:London, England
Death Date:14 November 1940
Death Place:London, England
Known For:Managing Director of The Straits Trading Company
Nationality:British

Walter Frederick Nutt (1874 – 14 November 1940) was Managing Director of The Straits Trading Company (1918–21),[1] at the time one of the largest tin smelting companies in the world,[2] a member of the Federal Malay States Legislative Council[3] and a prominent freemason who was District Grand Master of the Eastern Archipelago (1919–23).[4] [5]

Early life

Walter Nutt was born in Kensington, London in 1874.[6] He was the son of William Henry Rothery Nutt, an official of the Bank of England, and his wife Kathleen Laura (née Bloxham).[6] Like his brothers, Arthur Nutt and Harold Nutt, he was educated as a boarder at Bedford Modern School.[6] [7]

Career

Nutt was an expatriate in Malaysia and Singapore for much of his commercial life. He was a director of several commercial concerns including the Bagan River Rubber Company [8] and Managing Director of The Straits Trading Company (1918–21). He was a member of the Federal Malay States Legislative Council.[3]

In 1918, Nutt was awarded an OBE for services in connection with war charities.[9]

In 1919, Nutt successfully speculated in the tin market on behalf of the Straits Trading Company. However, similar efforts in 1921 resulted in the company having to miss a semiannual dividend for the first time in its history. Nutt was forced to resign in January 1922.[10]

Masonic and yachting interests

Nutt was a prominent Freemason becoming District Grand Master of the Eastern Archipelago (1919–23)[4] He was also the first Commodore of the Republic of Singapore Yacht Club.[11]

Personal life

On 16 May 1905, Nutt married Gertrude Isabel Cowper at St Andrew's Cathedral, Singapore.[12] Gertrude Nutt was an artist and the portrait she painted of her husband in full masonic regalia is included in the BBC’s Your Painting series.[13]

Death

On 27 February 1937, Gertrude Nutt died and Walter Nutt died three years later, on 14 November 1940, following an operation in London.[1] [14] Walter and Gertrude Nutt were survived by two daughters.[1]

External links

Notes and References

  1. http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19401116-1.2.62.aspx
  2. http://www.stc.com.sg/abt_profile.html
  3. https://books.google.com/books?id=Yn25FY2pY3EC&dq=walter+frederick+nutt&pg=PA288
  4. http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19200529-1.2.40.aspx
  5. Web site: Walter Frederick Nutt (1874–1940). Art UK. 4 July 2015.
  6. Web site: Genealogy, Family Trees & Family History Records at Ancestry.co.uk. ancestry.co.uk. 4 July 2015.
  7. 1891 England Census
  8. http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19191104.2.77.1.aspx
  9. https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/30935/supplement/11776/data.pdf
  10. Book: Baldwin. William Lee. The World Tin Market : Political pricing and economic competition.. 1983. Duke University Press. Durham, NC. 9780822305057. 197–198.
  11. Web site: HISTORY. rsyc.org.sg. 4 July 2015.
  12. http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/singfreepressb19050517-1.2.35.aspx
  13. http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19370315-1.2.96.aspx
  14. England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1966