Ernest Woodford Birch
Encyclopedia
Sir Ernest Woodford Birch, ICS, KCMG
(1857—1929) was the eighth British resident of Perak
. Sir Ernest was the eldest son of James Wheeler Woodford Birch.
at the age of 10 to stay with his grandfather, Rev. James Woodford Birch, Vicar of the All Saints, Hertford
. In 1882, he married Margaret, the eldest daughter of Lawrence Niven, then Director of the Singapore Botanical Gardens. Sir Ernest and Lady Margaret had two sons and four daughters. In 1890 their eldest son drowned at Tanjung Kling
, Malacca
, aged only seven years old. His other son, Patrick, followed his father's footstep and served in the Indian Civil Service.
and Harrow until 1874. He then went to Oxford and read with a private tutor for twelve months before attending university and afterward served the Indian Civil Service. His studies were interrupted when his father was murdered in Pasir Salak
. In January 1876, he was graciously permitted by His Majesty's Government to enter the Colonial Office
at Downing Street and worked until 1878, when he was appointed as cadet in the Straits Settlements Civil Service.
, he was given a position in the Secretariat under Sir Cecil Clementi Smith
who has been a staunch friend to Sir Ernest. Sir Ernest previous experience in the Colonial Office
enabled him to be of special assistance of all important Commission on the Police Force held about 1880.
In 1881, he was in charge of the Land Office at Malacca
for a few months and in July 1881, he held the same position at Singapore
. In May 1882, he was posted as the Acting Second Assistant Colonial Secretary. In 1885, he made his first official visit to Cocos Islands and upon his return from furlough in 1887, he was confirmed to appoint as the Second Assistant Colonial Secretary and appointed a Commission to inquire regarding the murder of W.A. Pickering, the Protector of Chinese.
In January 1888, Sir Ernest was transferred to Malacca
in the dual capacity of Magistrate and Collector of Land Revenue to carry out the land policy by Sir William Maxwell
. He was also the District Officer at Alor Gajah
and Jasin
, in spite of many opposition, he succeeded, by means of acquiring an intimate knowledge of the people, in establishing new system, and the revenue was greatly enhanced during his four years' stay in the territory. Maybe it was his success, in 1890 he was requested by Sir William Maxwell
to investigate the land system in Selangor
, and he made two reports upon it.
For eight months in 1892, he acted as the Acting British Resident of Selangor and in January 1893, he was appointed as the Secretary to the Government of Perak. He was instrumental in introducing a new land survey system into Perak
and in urging forward the Kerian
irrigation scheme. In May 1894, Sir Ernest was granted furlough leave and returned to duty in August 1895. On the departure of Sir Frank Swettenham
on leave, Sir Ernest was appointed as the Acting British Resident of Perak.
During his office as the Acting British Resident of Perak, he called the first meeting of the State Council, over which he presided, for 2 November 1895 the twentieth anniversary of his father's murder. He reminded the Sultan and the chiefs assembled of the day and of the event. In June of the following year, he reverted to his substantive appointment as the Secretary to the Government, and in February 1897, he went to Negeri Sembilan
to appoint as Acting British Resident in succession to Martin Lister
and, upon Lister's death, he was confirmed the appointment and filled the office until May 1900. He arranged the agreement, by which the Yang di-Pertuan of Sri Menanti, who had long been estranged from other chiefs, was recognized by them as the constitutional head of Negeri Sembilan
. During his short administration, Negeri Sembilan
's revenue grew from $552,000 to $1,085,000 and a new land and survey system was introduced and public service was greatly improved.
In recognition of his valued services, in 1900 he was knighted by Queen Victoria at Windsor
with the CMG
. He became the principal representative of the British North Borneo Company
and posted as the governor
in 1901. During his two years and eight months served in North Borneo
. He worked arduously for the welfare of the country. He traveled over the whole territory in North Borneo
, and introduced numerous settlers, built a new town at Jesselton and converted the country from lawlessness to peace. In December 1904, Sir Ernest returned to England
, and in February 1904, he was appointed as the British Resident of Perak. During his administration in Perak, he had successfully reorganized the administration in Perak, and established various clubs and introduced many sports to the state. He died in 1929.
Order of St Michael and St George
The Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George is an order of chivalry founded on 28 April 1818 by George, Prince Regent, later George IV of the United Kingdom, while he was acting as Prince Regent for his father, George III....
(1857—1929) was the eighth British resident of Perak
Perak
Perak , one of the 13 states of Malaysia, is the second largest state in the Peninsular Malaysia bordering Kedah and Yala Province of Thailand to the north, Penang to the northwest, Kelantan and Pahang to the east, Selangor the Strait of Malacca to the south and west.Perak means silver in Malay...
. Sir Ernest was the eldest son of James Wheeler Woodford Birch.
Family
Although born in Ceylon in April 1857, he was sent to EnglandEngland
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
at the age of 10 to stay with his grandfather, Rev. James Woodford Birch, Vicar of the All Saints, Hertford
Hertford
Hertford is the county town of Hertfordshire, England, and is also a civil parish in the East Hertfordshire district of the county. Forming a civil parish, the 2001 census put the population of Hertford at about 24,180. Recent estimates are that it is now around 28,000...
. In 1882, he married Margaret, the eldest daughter of Lawrence Niven, then Director of the Singapore Botanical Gardens. Sir Ernest and Lady Margaret had two sons and four daughters. In 1890 their eldest son drowned at Tanjung Kling
Tanjung Kling
Tanjung Kling is a small coastal town in Malacca, Malaysia. The mausoleum of the legendary Hang Tuah is located here....
, Malacca
Malacca
Malacca , dubbed The Historic State or Negeri Bersejarah among locals) is the third smallest Malaysian state, after Perlis and Penang. It is located in the southern region of the Malay Peninsula, on the Straits of Malacca. It borders Negeri Sembilan to the north and the state of Johor to the south...
, aged only seven years old. His other son, Patrick, followed his father's footstep and served in the Indian Civil Service.
Education
Ernest Woodford Birch was educated at Hertford Grammar School, Sidney College, Bath, Elstree SchoolElstree School
Elstree School is an English preparatory school based in Woolhampton, near Reading in Berkshire.-1848-1938 in Elstree, Herts:As its name suggests, the school was originally founded in 1848 in Elstree, Hertfordshire, at Hill House on Elstree Hill, an 18th-century Grade II Listed Building...
and Harrow until 1874. He then went to Oxford and read with a private tutor for twelve months before attending university and afterward served the Indian Civil Service. His studies were interrupted when his father was murdered in Pasir Salak
Pasir Salak
Pasir Salak is a historical place in Perak, Malaysia, where an important event in Malaysian history took place, the uprising fight against the colonial presence, when J.W.W. Birch the first British resident in Perak, was murdered by the local statesman Dato Maharaja Lela and Sepuntum...
. In January 1876, he was graciously permitted by His Majesty's Government to enter the Colonial Office
Colonial Office
Colonial Office is the government agency which serves to oversee and supervise their colony* Colonial Office - The British Government department* Office of Insular Affairs - the American government agency* Reichskolonialamt - the German Colonial Office...
at Downing Street and worked until 1878, when he was appointed as cadet in the Straits Settlements Civil Service.
Career
Upon his arrival in SingaporeSingapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
, he was given a position in the Secretariat under Sir Cecil Clementi Smith
Cecil Clementi Smith
Rt Hon Sir Cecil Clementi Smith G.C.M.G. , was a British colonial administrator. He was known for his effective work in quelling Chinese secret societies in the Straits Settlements, such as those in Singapore...
who has been a staunch friend to Sir Ernest. Sir Ernest previous experience in the Colonial Office
Colonial Office
Colonial Office is the government agency which serves to oversee and supervise their colony* Colonial Office - The British Government department* Office of Insular Affairs - the American government agency* Reichskolonialamt - the German Colonial Office...
enabled him to be of special assistance of all important Commission on the Police Force held about 1880.
In 1881, he was in charge of the Land Office at Malacca
Malacca
Malacca , dubbed The Historic State or Negeri Bersejarah among locals) is the third smallest Malaysian state, after Perlis and Penang. It is located in the southern region of the Malay Peninsula, on the Straits of Malacca. It borders Negeri Sembilan to the north and the state of Johor to the south...
for a few months and in July 1881, he held the same position at Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
. In May 1882, he was posted as the Acting Second Assistant Colonial Secretary. In 1885, he made his first official visit to Cocos Islands and upon his return from furlough in 1887, he was confirmed to appoint as the Second Assistant Colonial Secretary and appointed a Commission to inquire regarding the murder of W.A. Pickering, the Protector of Chinese.
In January 1888, Sir Ernest was transferred to Malacca
Malacca
Malacca , dubbed The Historic State or Negeri Bersejarah among locals) is the third smallest Malaysian state, after Perlis and Penang. It is located in the southern region of the Malay Peninsula, on the Straits of Malacca. It borders Negeri Sembilan to the north and the state of Johor to the south...
in the dual capacity of Magistrate and Collector of Land Revenue to carry out the land policy by Sir William Maxwell
William Maxwell
William Maxwell may refer to:*William Maxwell , Irish-born American soldier from New Jersey in the American Revolutionary War*General Sir William Maxwell, 7th Baronet of Calderwood...
. He was also the District Officer at Alor Gajah
Alor Gajah
Alur Gajah is a town and district in Malacca, Malaysia. Alor Gajah is also a parliamentary constituency of Melaka. It borders Tampin, Negeri Sembilan to the north. This town has a railway station at Pulau Subang about 10 kilometres from the town area...
and Jasin
Jasin
Jasin District is one of the three districts in the State of Malacca, Malaysia. The other two are the Central Malacca district and the Alor Gajah district. Jasin District is the southernmost of the three districts, and borders the State of Johor. Jasin is also the name of the main town in the...
, in spite of many opposition, he succeeded, by means of acquiring an intimate knowledge of the people, in establishing new system, and the revenue was greatly enhanced during his four years' stay in the territory. Maybe it was his success, in 1890 he was requested by Sir William Maxwell
William Maxwell
William Maxwell may refer to:*William Maxwell , Irish-born American soldier from New Jersey in the American Revolutionary War*General Sir William Maxwell, 7th Baronet of Calderwood...
to investigate the land system in Selangor
Selangor
Selangor also known by its Arabic honorific, Darul Ehsan, or "Abode of Sincerity") is one of the 13 states of Malaysia. It is on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia and is bordered by Perak to the north, Pahang to the east, Negeri Sembilan to the south and the Strait of Malacca to the west...
, and he made two reports upon it.
For eight months in 1892, he acted as the Acting British Resident of Selangor and in January 1893, he was appointed as the Secretary to the Government of Perak. He was instrumental in introducing a new land survey system into Perak
Perak
Perak , one of the 13 states of Malaysia, is the second largest state in the Peninsular Malaysia bordering Kedah and Yala Province of Thailand to the north, Penang to the northwest, Kelantan and Pahang to the east, Selangor the Strait of Malacca to the south and west.Perak means silver in Malay...
and in urging forward the Kerian
Kerian
Kerian is an administrative district in Perak, Malaysia. It is one of the main rice-growing area in the state. Its local government is Majlis Daerah Kerian or Kerian District Council which is based at Parit Buntar. From the 2010 Population and Housing Census, Kerian has a population of 173,625.The...
irrigation scheme. In May 1894, Sir Ernest was granted furlough leave and returned to duty in August 1895. On the departure of Sir Frank Swettenham
Frank Swettenham
Sir Frank Athelstane Swettenham GCMG CH was the first Resident General of the Federated Malay States which was formed by combining a number of sultanates. He served from 1 July 1896 to 1901. He was also an amateur photographer...
on leave, Sir Ernest was appointed as the Acting British Resident of Perak.
During his office as the Acting British Resident of Perak, he called the first meeting of the State Council, over which he presided, for 2 November 1895 the twentieth anniversary of his father's murder. He reminded the Sultan and the chiefs assembled of the day and of the event. In June of the following year, he reverted to his substantive appointment as the Secretary to the Government, and in February 1897, he went to Negeri Sembilan
Negeri Sembilan
Negeri Sembilan, one of the 13 states that constitutes Malaysia, lies on the western coast of Peninsular Malaysia, just south of Kuala Lumpur and borders Selangor on the north, Pahang in the east, and Malacca and Johor to the south....
to appoint as Acting British Resident in succession to Martin Lister
Martin Lister
Martin Lister FRS was an English naturalist and physician.-Life:Lister was born at Radcliffe, near Buckingham, the son of Sir Martin Lister MP for Brackley in the Long Parliament and his wife Susan Temple daughter of Sir Alexander Temple. Lister was connected to a number of well known individuals...
and, upon Lister's death, he was confirmed the appointment and filled the office until May 1900. He arranged the agreement, by which the Yang di-Pertuan of Sri Menanti, who had long been estranged from other chiefs, was recognized by them as the constitutional head of Negeri Sembilan
Negeri Sembilan
Negeri Sembilan, one of the 13 states that constitutes Malaysia, lies on the western coast of Peninsular Malaysia, just south of Kuala Lumpur and borders Selangor on the north, Pahang in the east, and Malacca and Johor to the south....
. During his short administration, Negeri Sembilan
Negeri Sembilan
Negeri Sembilan, one of the 13 states that constitutes Malaysia, lies on the western coast of Peninsular Malaysia, just south of Kuala Lumpur and borders Selangor on the north, Pahang in the east, and Malacca and Johor to the south....
's revenue grew from $552,000 to $1,085,000 and a new land and survey system was introduced and public service was greatly improved.
In recognition of his valued services, in 1900 he was knighted by Queen Victoria at Windsor
Windsor Castle
Windsor Castle is a medieval castle and royal residence in Windsor in the English county of Berkshire, notable for its long association with the British royal family and its architecture. The original castle was built after the Norman invasion by William the Conqueror. Since the time of Henry I it...
with the CMG
Order of St Michael and St George
The Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George is an order of chivalry founded on 28 April 1818 by George, Prince Regent, later George IV of the United Kingdom, while he was acting as Prince Regent for his father, George III....
. He became the principal representative of the British North Borneo Company
British North Borneo Company
The North Borneo Chartered Company or British North Borneo Company was a chartered company assigned to administer North Borneo in August 1881. North Borneo became a protectorate of the British Empire with internal affairs administered by the company until 1946 when it became the colony of British...
and posted as the governor
Governor of North Borneo
The Governor of North Borneo was the appointed head of the government of North Borneo.Originally the Governor was appointed by the North Borneo Chartered Company, which was responsible for the administration of the protectorate...
in 1901. During his two years and eight months served in North Borneo
North Borneo
North Borneo was a British protectorate under the sovereign North Borneo Chartered Company from 1882 to 1946. After the war it became a crown colony of Great Britain from 1946 to 1963, known in this time as British North Borneo. It is located on the northeastern end of the island of Borneo. It is...
. He worked arduously for the welfare of the country. He traveled over the whole territory in North Borneo
North Borneo
North Borneo was a British protectorate under the sovereign North Borneo Chartered Company from 1882 to 1946. After the war it became a crown colony of Great Britain from 1946 to 1963, known in this time as British North Borneo. It is located on the northeastern end of the island of Borneo. It is...
, and introduced numerous settlers, built a new town at Jesselton and converted the country from lawlessness to peace. In December 1904, Sir Ernest returned to England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, and in February 1904, he was appointed as the British Resident of Perak. During his administration in Perak, he had successfully reorganized the administration in Perak, and established various clubs and introduced many sports to the state. He died in 1929.
Source
- Wright, Arnold, Twentieth Century Impressions of British Malaya: Its history, people, commerce, industries and resources, 1908