John Fearns Nicoll

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.

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

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 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. "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.

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