George Hemmant

George Hemmant CMG (13 October 1880 – 31 December 1964)[6][9] was a colonial administrator. He joined the Malayan Civil Service and was a cadet on 27 November 1903.[10] He served most of his civil service career in Federated Malay States and Straits Settlements.

George Hemmant CMG
Chief Secretary of Nigeria
In office October 1930[1] – 1934
Preceded by	Sir Frank Baddeley[2]
Succeeded by	John Alexander Maybin[3]
Acting Colonial Secretary of Straits Settlements
In office 16 December 1928 – 12 February 1929
Monarch	George V
Governor	Sir Hugh Clifford
Preceded by	Sir Hayes Marriott
Succeeded by	Sir John Scott
In office 19 March 1924[4] – 2 April 1924[5]
Monarch	George V
Governor	Sir Laurence Guillemard
Preceded by	Sir Frederick Seton James
Succeeded by	Edward Shaw Hose
Personal details
Born	13 October 1880[6]
Died	31 December 1964 (aged 84)[6]
Spouse(s)	Gladys Evelyn[7] ​ ​ (m. 1925⁠–⁠1964)​
Children	Maurice Hemmant (son)
Mother	Lucy Elizabeth Ground[8]
Father	William Hemmant[8]
Profession	Colonial administrator

Career

Federated Malay States

Hemmant joined the Malayan Civil Service and was a cadet on 27 November 1903. In June 1904, he was the acting Assistant District Treasurer (Kuala Lumpur) and the following year was Acting Revenue Auditor (Negri Sembilan) and Acting Assistant District Officer (Kuala Pilah and Tampin).[9] In 1908, he held the positions of Acting District Officer (Jelebu) and Acting Assistant District Officer (Kuala Pilah and Tampin).[9] In 1910, he was the Assistant Collector of Land Revenue (Seremban)[9] and District Officer (Temerloh) in 1911.[11] In 1914, he was transferred to Kedah as Acting Legal Adviser before he became the Acting Assistant Adviser (Muar) in 1916 till 1918.[9] In November 1919, he was appointed as the Collector of Land Revenue (Kuala Lumpur) and Registrar of Titles (Selangor).[9] In 1922, he was the Magistrate in Kuala Lumpur (till March 1923)[12] and was on special duty in work connected with the introduction of the Valuation of Land Enactment (1922) in Federated Malaya States (FMS) in March 1923.[9] He was later revert to his duties as Secretary to the Resident of Selangor.[9] In 1924, he was the Acting Under-Secretary when Sir Frederick James became Governor of the Windward Islands.[13]

Straits Settlements

In 1923, Hemmant was transferred to the Straits Settlements and held offices of Acting Under-Secretary and Acting Colonial Secretary for various periods.[9] Between 1924 and 1930, he was the Under-Secretary and was appointed Acting Colonial Secretary of Straits Settlements, twice in 1924 and 1928.[9]

Chief Secretary of Nigeria

In 1930, Hemmant was appointed Chief Secretary to the Government of Nigeria to replace Sir Frank Baddeley who was retiring.[2][9]

Personal life and education

George Hemmant was born on 13 October 1880 and his parents were Mr and Mrs William Hemmant[8] of Bulimba, Sevenoaks.[6][7] He married Gladys Evelyn, younger daughter of Mr and Mrs E. A. Knight of Oaklands, St Leonards on 11 June 1925 in London.[7]

Hemmant had a son, Maurice Hemmant.[14]

Hemmant had his education in Cambridge where he took his B.A. degree.[2]

Retirement

Hemmant and his wife retired in 1934 and settled in Sevenoaks.[15]

Awards and honours

George Hemmant was invested with Companion of the Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George (CMG) in 1929 Birthday Honours.[16][17]

Reference

1. "Untitled". The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser. 28 August 1930. p. 10.
2. "Mr. G. Hemmant's Appointment". The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser. 27 August 1930. p. 132.
3. "Untitled". The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser. 9 August 1934. p. 1.
4. "Social and Personal". The Straits Times. 20 March 1924. p. 8.
5. "The Hon. Mr. Edward Shaw Hose, C.M.G." Malayan Saturday Post. 29 March 1924. p. 5.
6. "Hemmant, George, (1880–31 Dec. 1964)". ukwhoswho. 1 December 2007.
7. "Domestics Occurrences. Wedding". The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser. 14 July 1925. p. 8.
8. "Hemmant, William (1837–1916)". Australian National University.
9. "Mr. Hemmant's New Position". Malaya Tribune. 26 August 1930. p. 8.
10. "Untitled". The Straits Times. 16 January 1904. p. 5.
11. "Social and Personal". The Straits Times. 14 November 1911. p. 8.
12. "Social and Personal". The Straits Times. 7 March 1923. p. 8.
13. "Sir Frederick James's Departure". The Straits Times. 7 March 1924. p. 8.
14. "Oldest & Youngest Malayans In London At A.B.M. At Home". The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser. 15 January 1938. p. 5.
15. "Personalities". Morning Tribune. 29 February 1936. p. 10.
16. "The Birthday Honours". The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser. 4 June 1929. p. 7.
17. "No. 33501". The London Gazette (Supplement). 3 June 1929. p. 3670.