John Chancellor (colonial administrator) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lieutenant-Colonel
Sir John Chancellor
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John Chancellor in 1931
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| Born | 20 October 1870 Edinburgh, United Kingdom |
| Died | 31 July 1952 (aged 81) Shieldhill Castle, Lanarkshire, United Kingdom |
| Allegiance | British |
| Service/ |
British Army |
| Rank | Lieutenant Colonel |
| Unit | Corps of Royal Engineers |
| Awards | Distinguished Service Order, Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George, Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George, GBE |
| Other work | Colonial Administrator |
Sir John Robert Chancellor (born October 20, 1870 – died July 31, 1952) was a British soldier and a leader who helped govern different parts of the British Empire. He was known for his work as a colonial administrator in places like Mauritius, Trinidad and Tobago, Southern Rhodesia, and Palestine.
Contents
Early Life and Military Career
John Chancellor was born in Edinburgh, Scotland. His family had lived in the Shieldhill area since the 1400s.
He went to the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, a famous military school. After graduating, he joined the British Army's Corps of Royal Engineers in 1890. This group specializes in military engineering tasks.
Military Service and Awards
Chancellor quickly moved up in rank. He became a lieutenant in 1893. He took part in the 1896 Dongola Expedition in Sudan, led by Sir Herbert Kitchener.
He also served in the Tirah campaign in British India from 1897 to 1898. For his bravery and service there, he was mentioned in official reports. He also received the India Medal and the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) in 1898. This award is given for excellent service in battle. He became a captain in 1901.
Life as a Colonial Administrator
After his military career, Sir John Chancellor became a colonial administrator. This meant he helped govern territories that were part of the British Empire.
Governorships in the Empire
He served as the Governor of several important British colonies:
- Mauritius: From 1911 to 1916.
- Trinidad and Tobago: From 1916 to 1921.
- Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe): From 1923 to 1928.
As a governor, he was responsible for the local government and well-being of these regions. He also worked for the Committee of Imperial Defence from 1922 to 1923. This committee advised the British government on defense matters.
Honors and Recognitions
Sir John Chancellor received many honors for his service.
- In 1898, he received the Distinguished Service Order (DSO).
- In 1909, he was made a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George.
- He was knighted in 1913, becoming a Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG).
- In 1922, he was promoted to Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George (GCMG).
- In 1928, he became a Knight of Justice in the Venerable Order of Saint John.
- In 1947, he was made a Knight Grand Cross in the Civil Division of the Order of the British Empire (GBE) for his work with the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries.
High Commissioner of Palestine
In 1928, Sir John Chancellor became the High Commissioner for the British Mandate of Palestine. This was a challenging role because of the complex situation between different groups of people living there.
Challenges in Palestine
During his time in Palestine, there were tensions and conflicts. While he was away in London in 1929, protests and violence broke out. When he returned, he spoke out against the attacks.
He helped write an important document called the White Paper of 1930. This document tried to clarify the British government's policies for Palestine. He left Palestine in 1931.
Legacy in Palestine
In 1931, a street in Jerusalem called Straus Street was renamed Chancellor Avenue in his honor. However, after the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, the street went back to its original name.
Later Life and Family
In 1937, Sir John Chancellor became the chairman of the Livestock Commission. This group was set up to help the livestock industry.
He married Mary Elizabeth Howard in 1903. They had three children:
- Christopher John Howard Chancellor (1904–1989)
- Robert Duff (Robin) Chancellor (1921-2010)
- Elizabeth Rosemary Alice Chancellor (1906–1971)
His grandson, Alexander Chancellor, later became a well-known journalist.
Images for kids
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John Chancellor in 1931
