David McNicol (diplomat)

David McNicol CBE
Born David Williamson McNicol
(1913-06-20)20 June 1913
Adelaide, South Australia
Died 18 September 2001(2001-09-18) (aged 88)
Canberra, ACT
Nationality Australian
Alma mater University of Adelaide (BA)
Occupation Public servant, diplomat

David Williamson McNicol CBE (20 June 1913  18 September 2001) was an Australian public servant and diplomat.

Early life and career

McNicol was born on 20 June 1913 in Adelaide.[1] He was educated at Carey Baptist Grammar School and King's College.[1] He graduated from the University of Adelaide with a Bachelor of Arts degree in the 1930s.[1]

During World War II, McNicol served in the RAAF as a pilot.[2]

Diplomatic career

McNicol joined the Commonwealth Public Service in the Department of External Affairs in 1946.[2]

McNicol was a member of an Australian delegation responsible for negotiating the Manila treaty in September 1954.[3] In December 1954, McNicol's appointment as Minister to Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia was announced.[4] In January 1955 the Australian Government announced McNicol's residence for the post would be at the new Australian Legation in Cambodia, to be opened in February that year.[5][6]

From 1957 to 1960 McNicol was High Commissioner to Singapore, at the time Lee Kuan Yew was moving the country towards independence.[1]

He was High Commissioner to Pakistan from 1962 to 1965[7] His Pakistan appointment was announced by then Minister for External Affairs Garfield Barwick in July 1962.[8]

In June 1968 then Minister for External Affairs Paul Hasluck announced McNicol's appointment as Ambassador to Thailand.[9] At the same time, he was also appointed Australia's council representative to SEATO, the South-East Asian Treaty Organisation.[10]

In December 1972, then Prime Minister Gough Whitlam appointed McNicol Deputy High Commissioner in London.[11]

Awards

In the 1966 New Year Honours, McNicol was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire whilst High Commissioner in Wellington, New Zealand.[12][13]

Retirement and later life

McNicol retired on 20 June 1978.[1]

He died on 18 September 2001 in Canberra.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Holdich, Roger; Nathan, Elizabeth (24 November 2001). "Diplomat party to momentous events". The Advertiser. Adelaide, SA.
  2. 1 2 "Diplomatic Post for Australian". The Newcastle Sun. NSW. 2 December 1954. p. 6.
  3. "New post for diplomat". The Sydney Morning Herald. NSW. 2 December 1954. p. 3.
  4. "Diplomat for Vietnam post". The Argus. Melbourne, Victoria. 2 December 1954. p. 1.
  5. "Legation in Cambodia". The Central Queensland Herald. 27 January 1955. p. 11.
  6. "New Minister appointed to Cambodia". The Canberra Times. ACT. 21 January 1955. p. 1.
  7. "New Commissioner". The Canberra Times. ACT. 6 September 1962. p. 1.
  8. "Move to Asia for diplomats". The Canberra Times. ACT. 17 July 1962. p. 2.
  9. Hasluck, Paul (3 June 1968). "New Australian Ambassador to Thailand" (Press release). Australian Government. Archived from the original on 1 February 2016.
  10. "New envoy to Thailand". The Canberra Times. ACT. 4 June 1968. p. 3.
  11. Whitlam, Gough (14 December 1972). "Appointment of Deputy High Commissioner, London" (Press release). Australian Government. Archived from the original on 1 February 2016.
  12. "Search Australian Honours: McNICOL, David Williamson, The Order of the British Empire - Commander (Civil)", itsanhonour.gov.au, Australian Government, archived from the original on 1 February 2016
  13. The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 43855. p. 38. 31 December 1965. Retrieved 3 February 2016.
Diplomatic posts
Preceded by
John Quinn
Australian Minister to Cambodia
Australian Minister to Vietnam
Australian Minister to Laos

1955–1957
Succeeded by
Frederick Blakeney
Preceded by
Ralph Harry
Australian High Commissioner to Singapore
1957–1960
Succeeded by
Gordon Jockel
Preceded by
Charles Kevin
Australian High Commissioner to Pakistan
1962–1965
Succeeded by
Bill Cutts
Preceded by
Donald Alastair Cameron
Australian High Commissioner to New Zealand
1965–1968
Succeeded by
Ted Hicks
Preceded by
Allan Loomes
Australian Ambassador to Thailand
1968–1969
Succeeded by
Tom Critchley
Preceded by
Kenneth Bailey
Australian High Commissioner to Canada
1969–1973
Succeeded by
James Ingram
Preceded by
Colin Moodie
Australian High Commissioner to South Africa
1975–1977
Succeeded by
K.R. Douglas-Scott
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