Geoffry Alexander Stafford Northcote
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Sir Geoffry Alexander Stafford Northcote (羅富國 1881 - 1948) was a British colonial administrator.
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[edit] Early life, education, and early colonial services career
Northcote was born on 9 February, 1881 in London[citation needed]. He was educated at Blundell's School in Tiverton and Balliol College, Oxford. He entered the Colonial Service in 1904 and served in Kenya (formerly East African Protectorate) from 1904 to 1927. He became Chief Secretary of Northern Rhodesia a year later, and served there until 1930. Afterwards, Northcote served as the Chief Secretary of Gold Coast, until 1934 and as Governor and Commander-in-Chief of British Guiana from 1935 to 1937.
[edit] Hong Kong governorship
He became Governor and Commander-in-Chief of Hong Kong in 1937. During his tenure, the Second Sino-Japanese War broke out, and battles broke out throughout Mainland China. In order to safeguard the Colony, Northcote immediately declared Hong Kong a neutral zone. As the war proceeded, Guangzhou was occupied by the Japanese, causing a population boom as refugees rushed into Hong Kong. Meanwhile, the Japanese army also started encroaching upon Shenzhen, leading the Hong Kong government to adopt various measures to cope with the emergency, such as the construction of air-raid shelters and blackout practices.
After taking six-months' leave in the UK, Northcote returned to Hong Kong in March 1941. Poor health forced him to retire that year, and he left when his appointment expired in September 1941.
[edit] Personal life
Northcote married Edith Juliet Mary Adams on 27 October, 1910. The couple had three sons: Maxwell Adams Stafford, Arthur Geoffry Stafford, and Arnyas Henry Stafford. Northcote died on 10 July, 1948.
[edit] Honours
[edit] Places named after him
Northcote Close, a road on Hong Kong Island and Northcote Teachers' College (the premises is now occupied by Bonham Road Government Primary School) were named after him.
[edit] See also
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Sir Edward Brandis Denham |
Governor of British Guiana 1935 - 1936 |
Succeeded by Sir Wilfrid Edward Francis Jackson |
| Preceded by Sir Andrew Caldecott |
20th Governor of Hong Kong 28 October 1937 - 6 September 1941 |
Succeeded by Sir Mark Aitchison Young |
