David McNicol (diplomat)

David McNicol
CBE
Born
David Williamson McNicol

(1913-06-20)20 June 1913
Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
Died18 September 2001(2001-09-18) (aged 88)
Canberra, ACT, Australia
EducationCarey Baptist Grammar School
King's College
Alma materUniversity of Adelaide (BA)
Occupation(s)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 Royal Australian Air Force (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 Southeast Asia Treaty Organisation (SEATO).[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 (CBE) 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. ^ a b c d e f Holdich, Roger; Nathan, Elizabeth (24 November 2001). "Diplomat party to momentous events". The Advertiser. Adelaide, SA.
  2. ^ a b "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. ^ "No. 43855". The London Gazette (Supplement). 31 December 1965. p. 38.
Diplomatic posts
Preceded by Australian Minister to Cambodia
Australian Minister to Vietnam
Australian Minister to Laos
1955–1957 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Australian High Commissioner to Singapore
1957–1960 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Australian High Commissioner to Pakistan
1962–1965 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Australian High Commissioner to New Zealand
1965–1968 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Australian Ambassador to Thailand
1968–1969 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Australian High Commissioner to Canada
1969–1973 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Australian High Commissioner to South Africa
1975–1977 		Succeeded by
K.R. Douglas-Scott