Name John Nicoll | Succeeded by John Rankine Monarch George VI | |
 | ||
Preceded by Sir John Rankine (acting) Education Trinity School, Carlisle, Pembroke College, Oxford | ||
Sir John Fearns Nicoll (1899 - 1981) was a British colonial governor. He was Colonial Secretary of Hong Kong from 1949 to 1952, and Governor of Singapore from 1952 to 1955.
Contents
Early Years and Colonial Service
Nicoll was born in 1899 and attended Carlisle Grammar School and Pembroke College, Oxford before embarking on a colonial career in British Protectorate of North Borneo in 1921.
Nicoll became Deputy Colonial Secretary of the British Crown Colony Trinidad and Tobago in 1937, the Colonial Secretary of the British Colony of Fiji from 1944 to 1949. During this time, he served as Acting Governor twice, in 1944 and 1947. This was followed by his appointment as administrator and Colonial Secretary of Hong Kong in 1949.
Nicoll became Governor of Singapore in 1952 and was present during the 1954 National Service riots and left the Governorship the next year. Nicoll retired from the Colonial Service and returned to Britain.
Nicoll was invested as a Knight of the Order of St Michael and St George. He died at Scio House Hospital, Putney Heath.
Personal
Nicoll was married to Irene and had one son, Anthony Nicoll.
Legacy
Nicoll Highway was named in his honour and a portrait of Nicoll by Elliott & Fry hangs in the National Portrait Gallery.