Donald Luddington
Encyclopedia
Sir Donald Collin Cumyn Luddington, KBE, CMG, CVO was a British
colonial government official and civil servant who served firstly in the Hong Kong Government and became District Commissioner, New Territories and the Secretary for Home Affairs
successively, during which he had also served as an official member of the Legislative Council
. He was later promoted to Oceania
and was High Commissioner for the Western Pacific and afterwards, Governor of the Solomon Islands during the period from 1973 to 1976. He returned to Hong Kong
in 1977 to replace Sir Ronald Holmes
as chairman of the Public Service Commission
. He was the second person, after Sir Jack Cater
, to hold the post of Commissioner of ICAC from 1978 until his retirement in 1980.
, Scotland
. His father, Norman John Luddington, was a civil servant in British Ceylon
and his mother was Myrtle Amethyst Payne. He studied at Dover College
and then the University of St Andrews
, where he obtained a MA
degree.
From 1940 to 1946, he served in the British Army
and fought in the Second World War. He was initially commissioned as a second lieutenant
in the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
(KOYLI) on 28 December 1940, and transferred to the Royal Armoured Corps
(RAC) on 22 October 1941. He saw action in India
and Arakan
, Burma amongst others, and was Mentioned in Despatches on 5 April, 1945. By that time he was a lieutenant
, he continued to hold his emergency commission until 19 July 1952 when he transferred to the Reserve of Officers, and was granted the honorary rank of captain
.
and began his career as a colonial official in Hong Kong. He was initially sent to Tai Po
as a District Officer and in later time served in various government departments including the Secretariat for Chinese Affairs, the Hong Kong Police Force
, the Colonial Secretariat and the Commerce and Industry Department. Apart from that, he also served in the Royal Hong Kong Regiment from 1949 to 1955. In November 1960, he was appointed Defence Secretary and Principal Assistant Colonial Secretary and was responsible for overseeing the security issues of Hong Kong. He later served successively as Deputy Secretary for Home Affairs
and Deputy Director of Commerce and Industry in the mid-1960s and became a member of the Hong Kong Management Association. In April 1969, Luddington replaced Kenneth Strathmore Kinghorn as District Commissioner, New Territories, thus becoming an official member of the Legislative Council appointed by then Governor
Sir David Trench under the approval from the Queen. In June that year he was further appointed as an official Justice of the Peace
.
In May 1971, Luddington succeeded (later Sir) Ronald Holmes
as the Secretary for Home Affairs
and became a principal government official. However, as Rafael Hui
, a former junior colleague to Luddington recalled, he was too upright, and therefore, was not in very good terms with the diplomat-turned new Governor, Sir Murray MacLehose. It was said that in one occasion MacLehose had ordered something for Luddington's subordinates to follow-up. Nevertheless, Luddington deemed the diplomatic-like orders were nonsense and dismissed all of them. As a result in May 1973, he was "promoted" to Oceania
by the Governor. He was appointed High Commissioner for the Western Pacific on 10 October 1973 and his major duty was to administer a small and remote British colony, the British Solomon Islands. Yet, to let Luddington leave Hong Kong with dignity, he was appointed Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George before being appointed as High Commissioner. On 21 August 1974, he was further appointed as Governor of the British Solomon Islands Protectorate and he continued to serve this position until January 1976. After that the position of High Commissioner for the Western Pacific was abolished and thus he was the last person to hold this post.
During his term as Governor, he entertained the Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip in their royal visit to the Solomon Islands in February 1974. He was subsequently appointed Commander of the Royal Victorian Order for his hospitality to the Queen. Furthermore, under his supervision, a new constitution was adopted in 1974 establishing a parliamentary democracy and ministerial system of government for the colony. In mid-1975, the name "Solomon Islands" officially replaced that of "British Solomon Islands Protectorate" which paved way for the colony to self-government and independence. Luddington left the governorship in January 1976 and self-government was established immediately. Two years later, the Solomon Islands gained independence from the United Kingdom
and became a member the Commonwealth realm
. Luddington was appointed Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the Queen's Birthday Honours
in June 1976 for his services to Oceania.
In May 1977, Sir Donald returned to Hong Kong to succeed Sir Ronald Holmes
as chairman of the Public Service Commission
. He left the post in March 1978 but was appointed to replace Jack Cater
as the second Commissioner of ICAC by Governor MacLehose on 4 July in the same year. During his term as the Commissioner, he strived to improve the stained relationship between the ICAC and the Royal Hong Kong Police Force and helped ICAC build up its public image as a public body devoted to anti-corruption
. He finally retired from the government in November 1980.
, Yorkshire
. He died in a hospital in Harrogate on 26 January 2009 at the age of 88. Under the arrangement of his family members, his funeral took place in the Easingwold Parish Church at 11:00 on 2 February. By the time of his death, he was the last surviving former High Commissioner for the Western Pacific. After his death, both the then Chief Executive of Hong Kong
Donald Tsang
and then ICAC Commissioner Timothy Tong sent their condolences to the family of Luddington. They praised his contribution to Hong Kong while Luddington was described by Tsang as "a long-time friend" of him.
. She died on 4 November 2002. Sir Donald's hobbies included reading and walking. He was a member of the Royal Commonwealth Society
and the Hong Kong Club
.
British people
The British are citizens of the United Kingdom, of the Isle of Man, any of the Channel Islands, or of any of the British overseas territories, and their descendants...
colonial government official and civil servant who served firstly in the Hong Kong Government and became District Commissioner, New Territories and the Secretary for Home Affairs
Secretary for Home Affairs
The Secretary for Home Affairs is the head of the Home Affairs Bureau of the Government of Hong Kong, which is responsible for local issues, and the provision of community, leisure, and cultural services.-List of office holders:*Donald Luddington 1971-1973...
successively, during which he had also served as an official member of the Legislative Council
Legislative Council of Hong Kong
The Legislative Council is the unicameral legislature of Hong Kong.-History:The Legislative Council of Hong Kong was set up in 1843 as a colonial legislature under British rule...
. He was later promoted to Oceania
Oceania
Oceania is a region centered on the islands of the tropical Pacific Ocean. Conceptions of what constitutes Oceania range from the coral atolls and volcanic islands of the South Pacific to the entire insular region between Asia and the Americas, including Australasia and the Malay Archipelago...
and was High Commissioner for the Western Pacific and afterwards, Governor of the Solomon Islands during the period from 1973 to 1976. He returned to Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
in 1977 to replace Sir Ronald Holmes
Ronald Holmes
Sir David Ronald Holmes, CMG, CBE, MC, ED, JP was a British colonial government official who served in Hong Kong from 1938. In the Second World War, he was assigned to the British Army Aid Group where he actively took part in a series of guerilla actions in the Far East to resist the Japanese Army...
as chairman of the Public Service Commission
Civil Service Commission
-Chairmen:*John Houghton MHK, 2004-date*George Waft MLC, 1996-2004*Clare Christian MLC, 1981-1982*Noel Cringle MLC, 1992-1996*Walter Gilbey, years unknown...
. He was the second person, after Sir Jack Cater
Jack Cater
Sir Jack Cater, KBE, JP was the Chief Secretary of Hong Kong from 1978 to 1981. Cater was the third Chief Secretary under the Governorship of Sir Murray MacLehose, later Lord MacLehose of Beoch...
, to hold the post of Commissioner of ICAC from 1978 until his retirement in 1980.
Early years
Luddington was born on 18 August 1920 in EdinburghEdinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
. His father, Norman John Luddington, was a civil servant in British Ceylon
British Ceylon
British Ceylon refers to British rule prior to 1948 of the island territory now known as Sri Lanka.-From the Dutch to the British:Before the beginning of the Dutch governance, the island of Ceylon was divided between the Portuguese Empire and the Kingdom of Kandy, who were in the midst of a war for...
and his mother was Myrtle Amethyst Payne. He studied at Dover College
Dover College
Dover College is a co-educational independent school in Dover in southeast England. It was founded in 1871, and takes both day pupils and boarders....
and then the University of St Andrews
University of St Andrews
The University of St Andrews, informally referred to as "St Andrews", is the oldest university in Scotland and the third oldest in the English-speaking world after Oxford and Cambridge. The university is situated in the town of St Andrews, Fife, on the east coast of Scotland. It was founded between...
, where he obtained a MA
Master of Arts (Scotland)
A Master of Arts in Scotland can refer to an undergraduate academic degree in humanities and social sciences awarded by the ancient universities of Scotland – the University of St Andrews, the University of Glasgow, the University of Aberdeen and the University of Edinburgh, while the University of...
degree.
From 1940 to 1946, he served in the British Army
British Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
and fought in the Second World War. He was initially commissioned as a second lieutenant
Second Lieutenant
Second lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer military rank in many armed forces.- United Kingdom and Commonwealth :The rank second lieutenant was introduced throughout the British Army in 1871 to replace the rank of ensign , although it had long been used in the Royal Artillery, Royal...
in the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
The King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry was a regiment of the British Army. It officially existed from 1881 to 1968, but its predecessors go back to 1755. The regiment's traditions and history are now maintained by The Rifles.-The 51st Foot:...
(KOYLI) on 28 December 1940, and transferred to the Royal Armoured Corps
Royal Armoured Corps
The Royal Armoured Corps is currently a collection of ten regular regiments, mostly converted from old horse cavalry regiments, and four Yeomanry regiments of the Territorial Army...
(RAC) on 22 October 1941. He saw action in India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
and Arakan
Rakhine State
Rakhine State is a Burmese state. Situated on the western coast, it is bordered by Chin State in the north, Magway Region, Bago Region and Ayeyarwady Region in the east, the Bay of Bengal to the west, and the Chittagong Division of Bangladesh to the northwest. It is located approximately between...
, Burma amongst others, and was Mentioned in Despatches on 5 April, 1945. By that time he was a lieutenant
First Lieutenant
First lieutenant is a military rank and, in some forces, an appointment.The rank of lieutenant has different meanings in different military formations , but the majority of cases it is common for it to be sub-divided into a senior and junior rank...
, he continued to hold his emergency commission until 19 July 1952 when he transferred to the Reserve of Officers, and was granted the honorary rank of captain
Captain (British Army and Royal Marines)
Captain is a junior officer rank of the British Army and Royal Marines. It ranks above Lieutenant and below Major and has a NATO ranking code of OF-2. The rank is equivalent to a Lieutenant in the Royal Navy and to a Flight Lieutenant in the Royal Air Force...
.
Colonial services
In February 1949, Luddington arrived at Hong Kong as a cadetCadet
A cadet is a trainee to become an officer in the military, often a person who is a junior trainee. The term comes from the term "cadet" for younger sons of a noble family.- Military context :...
and began his career as a colonial official in Hong Kong. He was initially sent to Tai Po
Tai Po
Tai Po is an area in the New Territories of Hong Kong. It refers to the vicinity of the traditional market towns in the area presently known as Tai Po Old Market or Tai Po Kau Hui and the Tai Wo Town on the other side of the Lam Tsuen River, near the old Tai Po Market Station of the...
as a District Officer and in later time served in various government departments including the Secretariat for Chinese Affairs, the Hong Kong Police Force
Hong Kong Police Force
The Hong Kong Police Force is the largest disciplined service under the Security Bureau of Hong Kong. It is the world's second, and Asia's first, police agency to operate with a modern policing system. It was formed on 1 May 1844, with a strength of 32 officers...
, the Colonial Secretariat and the Commerce and Industry Department. Apart from that, he also served in the Royal Hong Kong Regiment from 1949 to 1955. In November 1960, he was appointed Defence Secretary and Principal Assistant Colonial Secretary and was responsible for overseeing the security issues of Hong Kong. He later served successively as Deputy Secretary for Home Affairs
Secretary for Home Affairs
The Secretary for Home Affairs is the head of the Home Affairs Bureau of the Government of Hong Kong, which is responsible for local issues, and the provision of community, leisure, and cultural services.-List of office holders:*Donald Luddington 1971-1973...
and Deputy Director of Commerce and Industry in the mid-1960s and became a member of the Hong Kong Management Association. In April 1969, Luddington replaced Kenneth Strathmore Kinghorn as District Commissioner, New Territories, thus becoming an official member of the Legislative Council appointed by then Governor
Governor of Hong Kong
The Governor of Hong Kong was the head of the government of Hong Kong during British rule from 1843 to 1997. The governor's roles were defined in the Hong Kong Letters Patent and Royal Instructions...
Sir David Trench under the approval from the Queen. In June that year he was further appointed as an official Justice of the Peace
Justice of the Peace
A justice of the peace is a puisne judicial officer elected or appointed by means of a commission to keep the peace. Depending on the jurisdiction, they might dispense summary justice or merely deal with local administrative applications in common law jurisdictions...
.
In May 1971, Luddington succeeded (later Sir) Ronald Holmes
Ronald Holmes
Sir David Ronald Holmes, CMG, CBE, MC, ED, JP was a British colonial government official who served in Hong Kong from 1938. In the Second World War, he was assigned to the British Army Aid Group where he actively took part in a series of guerilla actions in the Far East to resist the Japanese Army...
as the Secretary for Home Affairs
Secretary for Home Affairs
The Secretary for Home Affairs is the head of the Home Affairs Bureau of the Government of Hong Kong, which is responsible for local issues, and the provision of community, leisure, and cultural services.-List of office holders:*Donald Luddington 1971-1973...
and became a principal government official. However, as Rafael Hui
Rafael Hui
Rafael Hui Si-yan, GBM GBS JP was the former Chief Secretary for Administration of Hong Kong and a former career civil servant. Hui has been dubbed "Old Master Hui" and "Fat Dragon" . Hui was appointed as a Justice of the Peace on 1986 and received the honour of Gold Bauhinia Star in 1998.Hui...
, a former junior colleague to Luddington recalled, he was too upright, and therefore, was not in very good terms with the diplomat-turned new Governor, Sir Murray MacLehose. It was said that in one occasion MacLehose had ordered something for Luddington's subordinates to follow-up. Nevertheless, Luddington deemed the diplomatic-like orders were nonsense and dismissed all of them. As a result in May 1973, he was "promoted" to Oceania
Oceania
Oceania is a region centered on the islands of the tropical Pacific Ocean. Conceptions of what constitutes Oceania range from the coral atolls and volcanic islands of the South Pacific to the entire insular region between Asia and the Americas, including Australasia and the Malay Archipelago...
by the Governor. He was appointed High Commissioner for the Western Pacific on 10 October 1973 and his major duty was to administer a small and remote British colony, the British Solomon Islands. Yet, to let Luddington leave Hong Kong with dignity, he was appointed Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George before being appointed as High Commissioner. On 21 August 1974, he was further appointed as Governor of the British Solomon Islands Protectorate and he continued to serve this position until January 1976. After that the position of High Commissioner for the Western Pacific was abolished and thus he was the last person to hold this post.
During his term as Governor, he entertained the Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip in their royal visit to the Solomon Islands in February 1974. He was subsequently appointed Commander of the Royal Victorian Order for his hospitality to the Queen. Furthermore, under his supervision, a new constitution was adopted in 1974 establishing a parliamentary democracy and ministerial system of government for the colony. In mid-1975, the name "Solomon Islands" officially replaced that of "British Solomon Islands Protectorate" which paved way for the colony to self-government and independence. Luddington left the governorship in January 1976 and self-government was established immediately. Two years later, the Solomon Islands gained independence from the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and became a member the Commonwealth realm
Commonwealth Realm
A Commonwealth realm is a sovereign state within the Commonwealth of Nations that has Elizabeth II as its monarch and head of state. The sixteen current realms have a combined land area of 18.8 million km² , and a population of 134 million, of which all, except about two million, live in the six...
. Luddington was appointed Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the Queen's Birthday Honours
Queen's Birthday Honours
The Queen's Birthday Honours is a part of the British honours system, being a civic occasion on the celebration of the Queen's Official Birthday in which new members of most Commonwealth Realms honours are named. The awards are presented by the reigning monarch or head of state, currently Queen...
in June 1976 for his services to Oceania.
In May 1977, Sir Donald returned to Hong Kong to succeed Sir Ronald Holmes
Ronald Holmes
Sir David Ronald Holmes, CMG, CBE, MC, ED, JP was a British colonial government official who served in Hong Kong from 1938. In the Second World War, he was assigned to the British Army Aid Group where he actively took part in a series of guerilla actions in the Far East to resist the Japanese Army...
as chairman of the Public Service Commission
Civil Service Commission
-Chairmen:*John Houghton MHK, 2004-date*George Waft MLC, 1996-2004*Clare Christian MLC, 1981-1982*Noel Cringle MLC, 1992-1996*Walter Gilbey, years unknown...
. He left the post in March 1978 but was appointed to replace Jack Cater
Jack Cater
Sir Jack Cater, KBE, JP was the Chief Secretary of Hong Kong from 1978 to 1981. Cater was the third Chief Secretary under the Governorship of Sir Murray MacLehose, later Lord MacLehose of Beoch...
as the second Commissioner of ICAC by Governor MacLehose on 4 July in the same year. During his term as the Commissioner, he strived to improve the stained relationship between the ICAC and the Royal Hong Kong Police Force and helped ICAC build up its public image as a public body devoted to anti-corruption
Anti-Corruption
Anti-Corruption is a 1975 Hong Kong film directed by Ng See Yuen and released under the Eternal Film banner.-External links:* Anti-Corruption at...
. He finally retired from the government in November 1980.
Later years
Luddington spent his later years in retirement in EasingwoldEasingwold
Easingwold is a small market town and a civil parish in North Yorkshire, England. It has a population of 4,233.It is located north of York, at the foot of the Howardian Hills....
, Yorkshire
Yorkshire
Yorkshire is a historic county of northern England and the largest in the United Kingdom. Because of its great size in comparison to other English counties, functions have been increasingly undertaken over time by its subdivisions, which have also been subject to periodic reform...
. He died in a hospital in Harrogate on 26 January 2009 at the age of 88. Under the arrangement of his family members, his funeral took place in the Easingwold Parish Church at 11:00 on 2 February. By the time of his death, he was the last surviving former High Commissioner for the Western Pacific. After his death, both the then Chief Executive of Hong Kong
Chief Executive of Hong Kong
The Chief Executive of Hong Kong is the President of the Executive Council of Hong Kong and head of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The position was created to replace the Governor of Hong Kong, who was the head of the Hong Kong government during British rule...
Donald Tsang
Donald Tsang
Sir Donald Tsang Yam-kuen, GBM, KBE is the current Chief Executive and President of the Executive Council of the Government of Hong Kong....
and then ICAC Commissioner Timothy Tong sent their condolences to the family of Luddington. They praised his contribution to Hong Kong while Luddington was described by Tsang as "a long-time friend" of him.
Family
Luddington was married to Garry Brodie Johnston, daughter of Alexander Buchanan Johnston, in 1945. The couple had one son and one daughter. Lady Luddington once served as the Vice President of the Hong Kong Girl Guides AssociationHong Kong Girl Guides Association
Hong Kong Girl Guides Association is the sole Guide organisation in Hong Kong. It was formally established in 1919 though the first Girl Guides Company was formed in 1916. The association became a full member of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts in 1978...
. She died on 4 November 2002. Sir Donald's hobbies included reading and walking. He was a member of the Royal Commonwealth Society
Royal Commonwealth Society
The Royal Commonwealth Society is an international educational charity and a private members' club. Its mission is to support and promote the modern Commonwealth, its culture and core values...
and the Hong Kong Club
Hong Kong Club
The Hong Kong Club is the first Gentlemen's club in Hong Kong. Opened on 26 May 1846, at 1 Jackson Road overlooking the Cenotaph, it is a private business and dining club in the heart of Central, Hong Kong. Its members were among the most influential people in the city, including such...
.
Conferment
- Official Justice of the PeaceJustice of the PeaceA justice of the peace is a puisne judicial officer elected or appointed by means of a commission to keep the peace. Depending on the jurisdiction, they might dispense summary justice or merely deal with local administrative applications in common law jurisdictions...
(June 1969) - Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (2 June 1973)
- Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (21 February 1974)
- Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (12 June 1976)
Titles
- Donald Luddington (18 August 1920 – April 1969)
- The Honourable Donald Luddington (April 1969 – June 1969)
- The Honourable Donald Luddington, JP (June 1969 – April 1971)
- Donald Luddington, JP (April 1971 – May 1971)
- The Honourable Donald Luddington, JP (May 1971 – May 1973)
- Donald Luddington (May 1973 – 2 June 1973)
- Donald Luddington, CMG (2 June 1973 – 21 February 1974)
- Donald Luddington, CMG, CVO (21 February 1974 – 12 June 1976)
- Sir Donald Luddington, KBE, CMG, CVO (12 June 1976 – 26 January 2009)
See also
- Independent Commission Against Corruption (Hong Kong)Independent Commission Against Corruption (Hong Kong)The Independent Commission Against Corruption of Hong Kong was established by Governor Murray MacLehose on 15 February 1974, when Hong Kong was under British rule. Its main aim was to clean up endemic corruption in the many departments of the Hong Kong Government through law enforcement,...
- Solomon IslandsSolomon IslandsSolomon Islands is a sovereign state in Oceania, east of Papua New Guinea, consisting of nearly one thousand islands. It covers a land mass of . The capital, Honiara, is located on the island of Guadalcanal...
- David JeaffresonDavid JeaffresonDavid Gregory Jeaffreson, CBE, JP was a British colonial government official and civil servant. He arrived at Hong Kong in 1961 serving as Administrative Officer, and was Secretary for Economic Services and Secretary for Security in 1970s and 1980s, during which he had also been appointed as...
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|---|---|
(April 1969 – April 1971)
|
|
English materials
- Edited by Kevin Sinclair, Who's Who in Hong Kong, Hong Kong: SCMP, 1979.
- Who's Who, London: A & C Black, 2008.
- "Donald Luddington: Obituary", Yorkshire Post, 29 January 2009.
- "Former ICAC chief dies in Britain", South China Morning Post CITY3, 4 February 2009.
- "British Western Pacific Territories", World Statesmen.org, retrieved on 5 February 2009.
- "Index Lo-Ly", rulers.org, retrieved on 5 February 2009.
- "Solomon Islands", World Statesmen.org, retrieved on 5 February 2009.
- "South Pacific realms", The Monarchy Today, retrieved on 5 February 2009.
External links
- Sir Donald Luddington—Sir Donald Luddington, who died on January 26 aged 88, was a Hong Kong civil servant who became head of the crown colony's Independent Commission Against Corruption, and, as Governor, guided the Solomon Islands towards independence. The Daily TelegraphThe Daily TelegraphThe Daily Telegraph is a daily morning broadsheet newspaper distributed throughout the United Kingdom and internationally. The newspaper was founded by Arthur B...
, 11 February 2009. - CE grieved by death of Sir Donald Luddington, HKSAR Government Press Release, 3 February 2009
- ICAC statement, 3 February 2009