Sidney Arnold Pakeman

Colonel Sidney Arnold Pakeman, CBE, MC, ED (4 January 1891 – 15 June 1975) was a British academic and a member of the Parliament of Ceylon.[1]

Hon. Sidney Arnold Pakeman CBE, MC, ED
Member of the Ceylon Parliament for Community (appointed member)
In office 1947–1952
Preceded by	seat created
Personal details
Born	4 January 1891 Bristol, Gloucestershire, England
Died	15 June 1975 (aged 84) Hammersmith, London, England
Nationality	British
Alma mater	Bristol Grammar School, Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge
Profession	Professor (History)

Early life and education

Sidney Arnold Pakeman was born in Bristol, England on 1 April 1891, the son of Thomas Lovell Pakeman, a draper and undertaker. He attended Bristol Grammar School between 1903 and 1910.[2]

Military service

He served in the British army in the Wiltshire Regiment 4th Battalion, attached to the Gloucestershire Regiment, during the First World War. On the 18 June 1917 he was awarded the Military Cross as a lieutenant for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He led his company in the most gallant manner and personally tried to cut gaps in the enemy’s wire. Later, although wounded, he remained at his post[3][4] during a battle on 6–7 April 1917 at Maissemy, France.[5]

Academic career

He obtained a Master of Arts degree from Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge and joined the Ceylon University College in 1921 serving as lecturer and thereafter Professor of Modern History and Economics till 1942.[6]

Ceylon Defence Force

He joined the Ceylon Defence Force as a volunteer officer in the Ceylon Cadet Battalion. Promoted to Brevet Colonel, he served as the Commanding officer of the Ceylon Cadet Battalion from 1932 to 1938 and was confirmed in the rank of Colonel. In 1937 he received an OBE (Military Division) for his role as Officer Commanding, Ceylon Cadet Battalion, Ceylon Defence Force.[7]

Parliament

Following Ceylon's first parliamentary elections in 1947, Pakeman was appointed as a member of the Ceylon House of Representatives. He was one of six members appointed by the Governor-General, to represent important interests which were not represented or inadequately represented in the House.[8]

In the 1951 King's Birthday Honours Pakeman was awarded a CBE (Civil Division) for his service as a member of parliament and as a professor at the Ceylon University College.[9]

Bibliography

• Mendis, C. G.; Pakeman, S. A. (1937). Our Heritage. A Ceylon and World History up to 1500. Colombo: Colombo Apothecaries Co.
• Pakeman, S. A. (1964). Ceylon: Nations of the Modern World. New York: Frederick A. Praeger Publishers.

References

1. "Hon. Pakeman, Sidney Arnold, M.P." Directory of Past Members. Parliament of Sri Lanka. Retrieved 23 October 2017.
2. "Through the Great War". Bristol Grammar School. 8 July 2014. p. 101. Retrieved 24 October 2017.
3. United Kingdom :"No. 30135". The London Gazette (Supplement). 15 June 1917. p. 5997.
4. "Decorations Roll". Bristol Grammar School. 8 July 2014. p. 10. Missing or empty |url= (help)
5. Jones, Simon. "Who was Ivor Gurney's 'The Silent One'? The night attack by the 2/5th Glosters on 6-7 April 1917". Retrieved 24 October 2017.
6. Grey, Ian (1986). The Parliamentarians: The History of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, 1911-1985. Gower Publishing. p. 84. ISBN 9780566051999.
7. Ceylon :"No. 34396". The London Gazette. 11 May 1937. p. 3086.
8. "62nd Anniversary of Independence". Daily News. 4 February 2010. Retrieved 24 October 2017.
9. Ceylon :"No. 39246". The London Gazette (Supplement). 1 June 1951. pp. 3103–3104.