Walter Edward Davidson
Encyclopedia
Sir Walter Edward Davidson KCMG (20 April 1859 – 15 September 1923) was a colonial Administrator and diplomat. He served periods as Governor of the Seychelles, Governor of Newfoundland and as Governor of New South Wales, in which he died in office.
, Ireland
, an agent for the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company
. After being educated at Magdalen College School
, Oxford
, Davidson graduated from Christ's College
, Cambridge
. In 1880 he entered the Ceylon Civil Service
and, by 1898, had risen to be Chairman of the Colombo Municipal Council
and Mayor of Colombo
(1897–1898). In 1902 he was appointed a Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG) and Colonial Secretary
in the Colony of Transvaal, South Africa
, involving himself in the post-Boer War
reconstruction. He held this office until 1904.
in 1903. On 21 October 1907 he married Margaret Agnes Feilding
, who was the daughter of General Sir Percy Feilding. As Governor Davidson involved himself in the development of the new colony and made regular visits throughout the colony to increase the visibility of his role. During his administration he was responsible for the construction of the Le Niol Reservoir, the Carnegie Library and also for the design of the Colonial State House
of which he was the first occupant. In 1911 he received the King George V Coronation Medal
. He served until his promotion in 1912.
On 15 January 1913 he was appointed as Governor of the Dominion of Newfoundland
. For his long service, in 1914 he was appointed a Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG). During the First World War, Davidson helped direct Newfoundland's military effort in his role as Chairman of the Newfoundland Patriotic Association, and was very influential in public affairs. As Honorary Colonel of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment and as Commander-in-Chief of the Newfoundland Forces, he played an active role in recruitment and organisation. His term expired and he left Newfoundland in 1917 just as the financial situation for Newfoundland was in sharp decline, and the political consensus over which he and the prime minister, Sir Edward Morris, had presided since 1914, was breaking down.
In September 1917 he was recommended and appointed as the next Governor of New South Wales, succeeding Sir Gerald Strickland, and arrived in Sydney, New South Wales on 17 February 1918. Despite a reduction by Premier William Holman
in the Governor's allocated funds, the Davidsons entered enthusiastically into the round of vice-regal duties. For her work with the Red Cross Society, both in Newfoundland and New South Wales, Lady Davidson was appointed as a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in 1918, and in August 1920 presided at a meeting to inaugurate the State branch of the Girl Guides' Association. As Governor, he was made a Knight of Grace of the Venerable Order of St John of Jerusalem (KStJ) on 25 October 1916 and a member of the Savile Club
, London.
In January 1920 the Labor Premier, John Storey
, sought Davidson's approval concerning additional appointments to the New South Wales Legislative Council
. Though he was of the opinion that the size of the Upper House ought not to be increased, in August Davidson approved the nomination of sixteen new members. On the 20 December 1920, Storey's successor, James Dooley
, and his cabinet resigned after having lost a vote in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly
a week before. Davidson then commissioned the Leader of the Opposition, Sir George Fuller
, as Premier. However, as Fuller did not have a majority, his attempts to form government failed. After serving as Premier for seven hours, Fuller requested a double-dissolution from Davidson. Davidson refused, on the basis that Dooley still had a majority in the lower house, and Fuller resigned. Davidson then re-commissioned Dooley, who was granted a dissolution. Upon Dooley's defeat in the March 1921 elections, Davidson wrote to the Secretary of State for the Colonies
, Winston Churchill
, of his "Labour friends: they were likeable men, upright and simple, and not ashamed to take advice". In September 1922 it was announced that his term of office would be extended until March 1924.
While still in office, Davidson died of cardiovascular disease at Government House, Sydney
on 16 September 1923. After lying-in-state at St Andrew's Cathedral, Sydney and a full state funeral, he was buried in South Head cemetery, where in 1925 a memorial was erected by public subscription. On the news of his death, the Sydney Morning Herald paid tribute to his "Splendid record of Empire service" and noted that "the whole community shares a common and heartfelt sorrow at the passing of the one of the most distinguished and popular of His Majesty's overseas representatives".
that developed later took his name. In 1972 the local Davidson High School
was established and dedicated in his name. In recognition of her service during the Davidson's time as Viceroys, Lady Davidson Hospital in Turramurra was dedicated in 1923 and Lady Davidson Circuit in Forestville
were named in Lady Davidson's
honour.
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Early life and career
Born in April 1859 at Valetta, Malta, Davidson was the son of James Davidson of KillyleaghKillyleagh
Killyleagh is a village in County Down, Northern Ireland. It is on the A22 road from Downpatrick, on the western side of Strangford Lough. It had a population of 2,483 people in the 2001 Census. It is best known for its 12th century Killyleagh Castle...
, Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
, an agent for the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company
Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company
The Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company, which is usually known as P&O, is a British shipping and logistics company which dated from the early 19th century. Following its sale in March 2006 to Dubai Ports World for £3.9 billion, it became a subsidiary of DP World; however, the P&O...
. After being educated at Magdalen College School
Magdalen College School, Oxford
Magdalen College School is an independent school for boys aged 7 to 18 and girls in the sixth form, located on The Plain in Oxford, England. It was founded as part of Magdalen College, Oxford by William Waynflete in 1480....
, Oxford
Oxford
The city of Oxford is the county town of Oxfordshire, England. The city, made prominent by its medieval university, has a population of just under 165,000, with 153,900 living within the district boundary. It lies about 50 miles north-west of London. The rivers Cherwell and Thames run through...
, Davidson graduated from Christ's College
Christ's College, Cambridge
Christ's College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge.With a reputation for high academic standards, Christ's College averaged top place in the Tompkins Table from 1980-2000 . In 2011, Christ's was placed sixth.-College history:...
, Cambridge
Cambridge
The city of Cambridge is a university town and the administrative centre of the county of Cambridgeshire, England. It lies in East Anglia about north of London. Cambridge is at the heart of the high-technology centre known as Silicon Fen – a play on Silicon Valley and the fens surrounding the...
. In 1880 he entered the Ceylon Civil Service
Ceylon Civil Service
The Ceylon Civil Service, popularly known by its acronym CCS, originated as the elite civil service of the Government of Ceylon under British colonial rule in 1833 and carried on after independence, until May 1, 1963 when it was abolished and the much larger Ceylon Administrative Service was...
and, by 1898, had risen to be Chairman of the Colombo Municipal Council
Colombo Municipal Council
The Colombo Municipal Council is the local council for Colombo, the largest city and financial centre in Sri Lanka. The council was formed in 1865 and first met in 1866. The municipal council is the oldest and the largest local government authority in Sri Lanka and, as of 2001, covers a resident...
and Mayor of Colombo
Mayor of Colombo
The Mayor of Colombo is the Mayor of the Colombo Municipal Council. The post was created in 1866 when the Colombo Municipal Council established by the Legislative Council of Ceylon. The officers of the mayor are at the Colombo Town Hall. The mayors legal title is His worship the Mayor of...
(1897–1898). In 1902 he was appointed a Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG) and Colonial Secretary
Chief Secretary
The Chief Secretary is the title of a senior civil servant in members of the Commonwealth of Nations, and, historically, in the British Empire. Prior to the dissolution of the colonies, the Chief Secretary was the second most important official in a colony of the British Empire after the...
in the Colony of Transvaal, South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
, involving himself in the post-Boer War
Boer War
The Boer Wars were two wars fought between the British Empire and the two independent Boer republics, the Oranje Vrijstaat and the Republiek van Transvaal ....
reconstruction. He held this office until 1904.
Governor of Seychelles and Newfoundland
In mid 1904 he was appointed as Governor of the Seychelles, which had become a separate colony from MauritiusMauritius
Mauritius , officially the Republic of Mauritius is an island nation off the southeast coast of the African continent in the southwest Indian Ocean, about east of Madagascar...
in 1903. On 21 October 1907 he married Margaret Agnes Feilding
Margaret Davidson
Dame Margaret Davidson DBE was the British wife of the Colonial Governor of New South Wales, Sir Walter Edward Davidson...
, who was the daughter of General Sir Percy Feilding. As Governor Davidson involved himself in the development of the new colony and made regular visits throughout the colony to increase the visibility of his role. During his administration he was responsible for the construction of the Le Niol Reservoir, the Carnegie Library and also for the design of the Colonial State House
State House (Seychelles)
State House is the official residence of the President of the Seychelles.The State House was designed and built in 1910, when Seychelles was still a British colony. Then known as the "Government House", it was the residence of the Governor General, beginning with Sir Walter Davidson in 1912...
of which he was the first occupant. In 1911 he received the King George V Coronation Medal
King George V Coronation Medal
The King George V Coronation Medal was a commemorative medal made in 1911 to celebrate the coronation of George V.-Issue:This coronation medal was the first to be issued to people who were not in attendance at the coronation...
. He served until his promotion in 1912.
On 15 January 1913 he was appointed as Governor of the Dominion of Newfoundland
Dominion of Newfoundland
The Dominion of Newfoundland was a British Dominion from 1907 to 1949 . The Dominion of Newfoundland was situated in northeastern North America along the Atlantic coast and comprised the island of Newfoundland and Labrador on the continental mainland...
. For his long service, in 1914 he was appointed a Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG). During the First World War, Davidson helped direct Newfoundland's military effort in his role as Chairman of the Newfoundland Patriotic Association, and was very influential in public affairs. As Honorary Colonel of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment and as Commander-in-Chief of the Newfoundland Forces, he played an active role in recruitment and organisation. His term expired and he left Newfoundland in 1917 just as the financial situation for Newfoundland was in sharp decline, and the political consensus over which he and the prime minister, Sir Edward Morris, had presided since 1914, was breaking down.
Governor of New South Wales
William Holman
William Arthur Holman was an Australian Labor Party Premier of New South Wales, Australia, who split with the party on the conscription issue in 1916 during World War I, and immediately became Premier of a conservative Nationalist Party Government.-Early life:Holman was born in St Pancras, London,...
in the Governor's allocated funds, the Davidsons entered enthusiastically into the round of vice-regal duties. For her work with the Red Cross Society, both in Newfoundland and New South Wales, Lady Davidson was appointed as a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in 1918, and in August 1920 presided at a meeting to inaugurate the State branch of the Girl Guides' Association. As Governor, he was made a Knight of Grace of the Venerable Order of St John of Jerusalem (KStJ) on 25 October 1916 and a member of the Savile Club
Savile Club
The Savile Club was founded in 1868 for the purpose of conversation and good company. Though located somewhat out of the way from the main centre of London's gentlemen's clubs, closer to the residences of Mayfair than the clubs of Pall Mall and St James's Street, it still contained some prominent...
, London.
In January 1920 the Labor Premier, John Storey
John Storey
John Storey or Story may refer to:*John Story , English Roman Catholic martyr*John Storey , Australian politician, premier of New South Wales...
, sought Davidson's approval concerning additional appointments to the New South Wales Legislative Council
New South Wales Legislative Council
The New South Wales Legislative Council, or upper house, is one of the two chambers of the parliament of New South Wales in Australia. The other is the Legislative Assembly. Both sit at Parliament House in the state capital, Sydney. The Assembly is referred to as the lower house and the Council as...
. Though he was of the opinion that the size of the Upper House ought not to be increased, in August Davidson approved the nomination of sixteen new members. On the 20 December 1920, Storey's successor, James Dooley
James Dooley
James Dooley may refer to:* James Dooley , film score composer* James H. Dooley , Virginia lawyer* James Dooley , twice premier of New South Wales in the early 1920s...
, and his cabinet resigned after having lost a vote in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly
New South Wales Legislative Assembly
The Legislative Assembly, or lower house, is one of the two chambers of the Parliament of New South Wales, an Australian state. The other chamber is the Legislative Council. Both the Assembly and Council sit at Parliament House in the state capital, Sydney...
a week before. Davidson then commissioned the Leader of the Opposition, Sir George Fuller
George Fuller (Australian politician)
Sir George Warburton Fuller KCMG was Premier of New South Wales, Australia on two occasions during the 1920s. His first term of office lasted less than one day ; his second lasted from 13 April 1922 to 17 June 1925.-Early life:Fuller was born in Kiama, New South Wales and was educated at Kiama...
, as Premier. However, as Fuller did not have a majority, his attempts to form government failed. After serving as Premier for seven hours, Fuller requested a double-dissolution from Davidson. Davidson refused, on the basis that Dooley still had a majority in the lower house, and Fuller resigned. Davidson then re-commissioned Dooley, who was granted a dissolution. Upon Dooley's defeat in the March 1921 elections, Davidson wrote to the Secretary of State for the Colonies
Secretary of State for the Colonies
The Secretary of State for the Colonies or Colonial Secretary was the British Cabinet minister in charge of managing the United Kingdom's various colonial dependencies....
, Winston Churchill
Winston Churchill
Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill, was a predominantly Conservative British politician and statesman known for his leadership of the United Kingdom during the Second World War. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest wartime leaders of the century and served as Prime Minister twice...
, of his "Labour friends: they were likeable men, upright and simple, and not ashamed to take advice". In September 1922 it was announced that his term of office would be extended until March 1924.
While still in office, Davidson died of cardiovascular disease at Government House, Sydney
Government House, Sydney
Government House is located in Sydney, Australia alongside the Royal Botanic Gardens, overlooking Sydney Harbour, just south of the Sydney Opera House...
on 16 September 1923. After lying-in-state at St Andrew's Cathedral, Sydney and a full state funeral, he was buried in South Head cemetery, where in 1925 a memorial was erected by public subscription. On the news of his death, the Sydney Morning Herald paid tribute to his "Splendid record of Empire service" and noted that "the whole community shares a common and heartfelt sorrow at the passing of the one of the most distinguished and popular of His Majesty's overseas representatives".
Legacy
After his death in 1923, an area of land around Frenchs Forest was proclaimed as "Davidson State Park" in his honour and, subsequently, the suburb of DavidsonDavidson, New South Wales
Davidson is a suburb of northern Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Davidson is located 20 kilometres north-east of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of Warringah Council...
that developed later took his name. In 1972 the local Davidson High School
Davidson High School (New South Wales)
Davidson High School, is a school located in Frenchs Forest, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, on Mimosa Street. It is a co-educational high school operated by the New South Wales Department of Education and Training with students from years 7 to 12...
was established and dedicated in his name. In recognition of her service during the Davidson's time as Viceroys, Lady Davidson Hospital in Turramurra was dedicated in 1923 and Lady Davidson Circuit in Forestville
Forestville, New South Wales
Forestville is a suburb of northern Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Forestville is located 15 kilometres north-east of the Sydney central business district in the local government area of Warringah Council...
were named in Lady Davidson's
Margaret Davidson
Dame Margaret Davidson DBE was the British wife of the Colonial Governor of New South Wales, Sir Walter Edward Davidson...
honour.
Titles
- 20 April 1859 – 1897: Walter Davidson, Esq
- 1897–1898: His Worship Walter Davidson, Mayor of Colombo
- 1898–1902: Walter Davidson, Esq
- 1902–1904: Walter Davidson CMG
- 1904–1913: His Excellency Walter Davidson CMG, Governor of the Seychelles
- 1913–1914: His Excellency Walter Davidson CMG, Governor of Newfoundland, Commander-in-Chief of the Newfoundland Forces
- 1914–1917: His Excellency Sir Walter Davidson KCMG, Governor of Newfoundland, Commander-in-Chief of the Newfoundland Forces
- 1917 – 15 September 1923: His Excellency Sir Walter Davidson KCMG, Governor of New South Wales
Honours
| Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG) | 1914 | |
| Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George 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.... (CMG) |
1902 | |
| |
Knight of Grace of the Venerable Order of St John of Jerusalem (KStJ) | 1916 |
| |
King George V Coronation Medal King George V Coronation Medal The King George V Coronation Medal was a commemorative medal made in 1911 to celebrate the coronation of George V.-Issue:This coronation medal was the first to be issued to people who were not in attendance at the coronation... |
1911 |