Shenton Thomas
| Sir Shenton Thomas GCMG, GCStJ | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Governor of Straits Settlements | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 10, 1879 Southwark, London, United Kingdom |
| Died | January 15, 1962 (aged 82) London, United Kingdom |
| Nationality | British |
| Spouse(s) | Lucy Marguerite (Daisy) Montgomery |
| Children | Mary Bridget Thomas |
Sir Thomas Shenton Whitelegge Thomas (1879-1962), GCMG, GCStJ, commonly known as Sir Shenton Thomas, was the last Governor of the Straits Settlements. He served from 1934 to 1942 during which time World War II began.
Life
Shenton Thomas was born on 10 October 1879, in Southwark, London to The Rev Thomas William Thomas and his wife Charlotte Susanna (Susie) née Whitelegge.[1][2][3] He was educated at St. John's School, Leatherhead[4] and Queens' College, Cambridge.[5] Before he went to Malaya as the colonial administrator, Thomas was the Governor of Nyasaland from 1929 to 1932. He was made a Knight Grand Cross of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George (GCMG) in 1930.
Thomas was a prisoner-of-war during the Japanese occupation of Singapore, 15 February 1942 - 15 August 1945, having decided to stay in Singapore during the war. He was imprisoned in Cell 24 of Changi Prison along with Ernest Tipson. Thomas established the King George V Park in Malaya (later renamed the National Park of Malaysia). Today, Shenton Way, located in Singapore's business district, is named after him. After the war, Thomas remained as the 11th British High Commissioner in Malaya (9 November 1934 - 1 April 1946), until the Malayan Union was established and succeeded the British administration in the Straits Settlements (except for Singapore, which was created a separate colony), Federated Malay States and Unfederated Malay States, where the post of Governor-General of the Malayan Union was created.
Thomas died on 15 January 1962, at his home in London. He was 82.
Family
He married Lucy Marguerite (Daisy) Montgomery on 11 April 1912 at St Jude's Church, Kensington, London,[3] with issue:
- Mary Bridget Thomas (1914 - 1998), born in Nairobi, Kenya, who married 1st Lt-Col Jack Leslie Harry Lotinga and married 2nd in 1965 Nicholas Eliot, 9th Earl of St Germans.
In popular culture
Wallas Eaton portrayed Shenton Thomas in the Australian drama serial, Tanamera – Lion of Singapore.
References
- ↑ 1881 UK Census: Aged 1 of St John Villas, Park Lane, Heigham, Norfolk - RG11/1951 f.9 p.11 - Thomas Shenton Whitelegge Thomas born Southwark
- ↑ 1901 UK Census: Aged 21 of The Vicarage, St Barnabas Road, Cambridge - RG13/1530 f.32 p.14 - Thomas Shenton W. Thomas born London
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 GRO Register of Marriages: JUN 1912 1a 348 KENSINGTON - Thomas S. W. Thomas = Lucy M. Montgomery
- ↑ 1891 UK Census: Pupil, aged 10, of St John's School, Leatherhead Surrey - RG12/549 f.98 p.8 - Thomas Shenton Thomas born St Bride's London
- ↑ "Thomas, Thomas Shenton Whitelegge (THMS898TS)". A Cambridge Alumni Database. University of Cambridge.
External links
| Government offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Wilfred Bennett Davidson-Houston |
Governor of Nyasaland 1929–1932 |
Succeeded by Sir Hubert Winthrop Young |
| Preceded by Geoffrey Northcote, acting |
Governor of the Gold Coast 1932–1934 |
Succeeded by Geoffrey Northcote, acting |
| Preceded by Sir Cecil Clementi |
Governor of Straits Settlements & British High Commissioner in Malaya 1934–1942 |
Succeeded by British High Commissioner in Malaya Sir Gerard Edward James Gent & Governor of Singapore Sir Franklin Charles Gimson |