Arthur Richards, 1st Baron Milverton facts for kids

Quick facts for kids The Right Honourable The Lord Milverton GCMG
Governor of North Borneo
In office 1930–1933
Monarch	George V
Preceded by	Sir John Humphreys
Succeeded by	Sir Douglas Jardine
Governor of Gambia
In office 12 April 1933 – 22 October 1936
Monarch	George V Edward VIII
Preceded by	Sir Herbert Palmer
Succeeded by	Sir Thomas Southorn
High Commissioner for the Western Pacific
In office 28 November 1936 – August 1938
Monarch	Edward VIII George VI
Preceded by	Sir Cecil Barton (acting)
Succeeded by	Sir Cecil Barton (acting)
Governor of Fiji
In office 28 November 1936 – August 1938
Monarch	George VI
Preceded by	Sir Cecil Barton (acting)
Succeeded by	Sir Cecil Barton (acting)
Governor of Jamaica
In office 19 August 1938 – July 1943
Monarch	George VI
Preceded by	Charles Campbell Woolley (acting)
Succeeded by	William Henry Flinn (acting)
Governor of Nigeria
In office 1943 – 5 February 1948
Monarch	George VI
Preceded by	Sir Bernard Bourdillon
Succeeded by	Sir John Macpherson
Personal details
Born	21 February 1885 Bedminster, Bristol, England
Died	27 October 1978(1978-10-27) (aged 93) Cox Green, Berkshire, England
Spouse	Noelle Bënda Whitehead (m. 1927–1978; his death)

Arthur Frederick Richards, 1st Baron Milverton (born 21 February 1885 – died 27 October 1978) was an important British official. He worked as a colonial administrator, which meant he helped govern parts of the British Empire. During his career, he served as the Governor of several places, including North Borneo, Gambia, Fiji, Jamaica, and Nigeria.

Early Life and Education

Arthur Richards was born in Bristol, England, in 1885. His father was William Richards. He went to Clifton College in Bristol for his schooling. Later, he studied at Christ Church, Oxford, and finished his degree in 1907.

His Work as Governor

Arthur Richards began his career in 1908 in the Malayan Civil Service. This was a group of British officials who helped manage British territories in Malaya.

Roles in Asia and Africa

• By 1921, he was an important assistant in the Straits Settlements.
• He worked as an Under-Secretary for the Federated Malay States from 1927 to 1929.
• From 1930 to 1933, he served as the Governor of Northern Borneo.
• After that, he became the Governor of the Gambia from 1933 to 1936.

Governing Pacific and Caribbean Islands

• From 1936 to 1938, he was the Governor of Fiji. At the same time, he also held the title of High Commissioner of the Western Pacific. This meant he was in charge of several British islands in the Pacific.
• He then served as the Governor of Jamaica from 1938 to 1943.

Governor of Nigeria

• His last major role was as the Governor of Nigeria. He held this position from 1943 until 1948.
• In the Colonial Service, he was sometimes called 'Old Sinister'.
• He was the first official from the Colonial Office to be made a "peer" (a Lord) while still working.
• In 1986, his former private secretary wrote a book about him called Old Sinister: A Memoir of Sir Arthur Richards.

Awards and Titles

Arthur Richards received several important awards for his service:

• He was made a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG) in 1933.
• He became a Knight Commander (KCMG) in 1935, and then a Knight Grand Cross (GCMG) in 1942. These titles meant he was given the rank of "Sir".
• In 1947, he was given the title of Baron Milverton. This made him a member of the House of Lords, which is part of the British Parliament. His full title was Baron Milverton, of Lagos and of Clifton in the City of Bristol.
• He was also appointed as a Knight of the Order of Saint John (K.St.J.).
• He received the US Medal of Freedom with Silver Palm from the United States.

Family Life

In 1927, Arthur Richards married Noelle Bënda Whitehead. They were married until he passed away in 1978. He was 93 years old when he died. His eldest son, Fraser Arthur Richard Richards, inherited his title and became the Second Baron Milverton.

Images for kids

• 

  A coronet, a type of crown worn by a Baron.

• 

  The coat of arms for Baron Milverton.