Theodore Pike

Sir Theodore Ouseley Pike KCMG (2 August 1904 – 27 December 1987) was an Irish colonial administrator and a sports international.

Sir Theodore Pike KCMG
Governor of British Somaliland
In office 1954–1959
Preceded by	Sir Gerald Reece
Succeeded by	Sir Douglas Hall
Personal details
Born	2 August 1904 Thurles, Ireland
Died	27 December 1987 (aged 83) Guildford, England
Citizenship	British

Early life

Pike was born in Thurles in County Tipperary in 1904. In 1904, Ireland was a part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.

Rugby international

In his youth, Pike was a keen sportsman: he played rugby union, usually as prop. He was good enough to play to international standard and represented Ireland, by then a divided nation politically but still fielding an All-Ireland rugby team, for two seasons.[1] In 1927 and in 1928, Pike took part in 7 matches in the Five Nations Championship, playing against France and all the other Home Nations. In addition, Pike played for Britain in a test against Australia.

Career

Pike made his career in colonial administration, rising to become Governor and Commander-in-Chief of British Somaliland, now a part of Somalia, from 1954 to 1959. In 1956, he was knighted, as a Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George, to become Sir Theodore Pike.

Later life

Sir Theodore retired to Guildford in Surrey and died in 1987.

References

1. Theodore Pike player profile Scrum.com