Oliver Marks facts for kids

Oliver Marks CMG (born September 10, 1866 – died May 24, 1940) was an English first-class cricketer. He also worked as a colonial administrator, helping to manage areas that were part of the British Empire.

A Life of Service

Oliver Marks was born in September 1866 in Surrey, England. His father was John George Marks. Oliver also had famous relatives: his uncle Henry Stacy Marks and Frederick Walker were well-known painters. Oliver went to school at Whitgift School.

After finishing school, Oliver traveled to British Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) in 1887. There, he worked as a tea planter for four years. In 1891, he moved to British Malaya (now part of Malaysia). He became a superintendent at a government plantation in Perak.

Working for the British Empire

In 1894, Oliver joined the administrative service. This meant he helped govern parts of the British Empire. He held many important jobs. He was an assistant magistrate until 1896. Then, he became an Assistant Secretary to the government in Perak until 1898.

From 1898 to 1903, he was an Assistant Secretary in the Federated Malay States. After that, he served as Secretary to the High Commissioners for Malaya. He was also the Private Secretary to the governor of the Straits Settlements. By 1914, he was the Acting Resident of Perak.

Important Roles and Recognition

One of his duties in Perak was laying the foundation stone for St. George's Institution, Taiping. By the 1920s, Marks was the British Resident in Selangor. For his hard work in the colonial service, he was given an honor. He was made a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George in 1922.

Later in his life, Marks was the secretary of the British Malaya Association. He passed away in England in May 1940. His brother, Geoffrey, was also a first-class cricketer.

Cricket Career

Oliver Marks loved cricket. He played minor matches for Ceylon in 1890 and 1891. In 1901, he visited England. During this visit, he played one first-class cricket match.

He played for the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC). Their opponents were the London County Cricket Club at Crystal Palace Park Cricket Ground. Marks batted once in the MCC's only innings. He scored just one run before being dismissed by the famous cricketer W.G. Grace. When London County batted, Marks bowled nine overs. He did not take any wickets in that match.

Family Life

In 1905, Oliver Marks married Violet Catherine Murray. Violet was the daughter of Colonel Alexander Murray. Colonel Murray was the Colonial Engineer and Surveyor of Malaya. Oliver and Violet had one son, named Geoffrey Noel Marks.