Graeme Thomson facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sir Graeme Thomson GCMG KCB
26th Governor of British Ceylon
In office 11 April 1931 – 20 September 1933
Monarch	George V
Preceded by	Bernard Henry Bourdillon (Acting governor)
Succeeded by	Francis Graeme Tyrrell (Acting governor)
Governor of Nigeria
In office 13 November 1925 – 17 June 1931
Preceded by	Hugh Clifford
Succeeded by	Donald Charles Cameron
Governor of British Guiana
In office 4 April 1923 – 31 August 1925
Monarch	George V
Preceded by	Wilfred Collet
Succeeded by	Cecil Hunter-Rodwell
Personal details
Born	9 August 1875
Died	28 September 1933 (aged 58) Aden
Citizenship	British

Sir Graeme Thomson (born August 9, 1875 – died September 28, 1933) was an important British civil servant. He worked for the British Admiralty, which managed the Royal Navy. Later, he became a colonial civil servant and served as a governor in several British colonies around the world.

Early Life and Career

Graeme Thomson went to school at Winchester College and then studied at New College, Oxford university. In 1900, he started working for the government as a civil servant. His first job was at the Admiralty, which was in charge of the British Navy.

Helping During World War I

When World War I began in 1914, Graeme Thomson quickly received promotions. He became the Civil Assistant Director of Transport in September 1914. By December of the same year, he was promoted to Director of Transports at the Admiralty. This meant he was in charge of moving troops and supplies by sea.

Leading Transport Efforts

His work was very important during the war. Winston Churchill, who was a key leader at the time, praised him. Churchill noted that over a million troops had been moved safely. He called Thomson "one of the discoveries of the War." Churchill said Thomson had organized huge operations never seen before.

A newspaper, the Adelaide Advertiser, described him in 1915. They said he looked like a "soldierly-looking man with the face of a diplomat." They also mentioned his "organising ability" and "judgment." In 1917, he was put in charge of the Directorate of Shipping. This department managed all shipping for both the Ministry of Shipping and the Admiralty.

Serving the British Empire

After World War I ended, the government's need for shipping management decreased. So, Thomson's job at the Admiralty was no longer needed. He then joined the Colonial Service. This was a branch of the British government that managed its colonies.

Governor Roles

In 1919, he became the Colonial Secretary of Ceylon. Ceylon is now known as Sri Lanka. He then became the Governor of British Guiana in 1922. British Guiana is now the country of Guyana.

In 1925, he was appointed Governor of Nigeria. His final role was as Governor of Ceylon again, starting in 1931. Sir Graeme Thomson passed away in 1933 in Aden. He was on his way home from Ceylon at the time. He had received a high honor, being made a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George in 1928.