39 Facts About Hugh Norman-Walker

Hugh Norman-Walker returned to Nyasaland to become Development Secretary in 1954, Deputy Financial Secretary in 1960 and Secretary to the Treasury in 1961.

Hugh Norman-Walker remained in the government until 1965 when Nyasaland gained independence as Malawi in 1964.

In 1965, Sir Hugh was posted to the Bechuanaland Protectorate as Her Majesty's Commissioner.

Hugh Norman-Walker was once rumoured to be the designated candidate to succeed Sir David Trench as the Governor of Hong Kong, but the rumour soon died out when the post was taken up by Sir Murray MacLehose, a career diplomat, in 1971.

Sir Hugh Norman-Walker was supposed to become the Lieutenant Governor of the Isle of Man when his tenure in Hong Kong ended in 1973.

Sir Hugh Norman-Walker was not compensated with another post for his withdrawal.

Hugh Norman-Walker spent his retirement in England and was appointed chairman of the Isle of Wight County Structure Plan Panel in 1976.

Hugh Norman-Walker was born in London on 17 December 1916 to Colonel J N Hugh Norman-Walker, CIE of the Indian Medical Service in the Indian Army.

Hugh Norman-Walker did not spend his childhood with his parents, who served far away in India.

Hugh Norman-Walker was educated first in St Cyprian's School, Eastbourne, and then Sherborne School in Dorset.

Hugh Norman-Walker later graduated with a Master of Arts degree.

In 1938, Hugh Norman-Walker followed in the footsteps of his parents to India and joined the Indian Civil Service.

Hugh Norman-Walker was acting Financial Secretary for several occasions before being appointed Deputy Financial Secretary in 1960.

When Nyasaland gained independence and renamed Malawi in 1964, Hugh Norman-Walker remained in the government and was made a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George.

Hugh Norman-Walker stayed in the Malawi government until 1965 when he was appointed Her Majesty's Commissioner of the Bechuanaland Protectorate in June.

Hugh Norman-Walker was the last Commissioner of the Protectorate and was there to prepare for the independence, though he had very little to do in his short tenure.

Hugh Norman-Walker was made a Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George in the New Year Honours List of 1966 and he witnessed the independence of the Republic of Botswana on 30 September 1966.

Apart from that, Hugh Norman-Walker positively supported political reform during his governorship by granting universal adult suffrage to the Legislative Council in December 1967, an important move which paved way for autonomy granted later in 1970.

Hugh Norman-Walker served in the Seychelles for less than two years when he arrived at Hong Kong on 29 March 1969 to serve as Colonial Secretary, taking over from Sir Michael Gass who was in turn appointed High Commissioner for the Western Pacific.

The career background of Hugh Norman-Walker was a concern in Hong Kong when his appointment was first announced.

Hugh Norman-Walker had visited Hong Kong once, briefly landing on the Kowloon side, but had never been to Hong Kong Island.

In respond to these opinions, Hugh Norman-Walker said that he had served in Africa for many years and was well experienced in public administration.

Hugh Norman-Walker said he was ready for the challenge and would build friendship with the Chinese people of Hong Kong.

Hugh Norman-Walker was an ex officio member of both the Executive and Legislative Councils of Hong Kong.

Hugh Norman-Walker administered the government for several occasions on the absence of the Governor.

Rumour persisted in Hong Kong when Hugh Norman-Walker, who gave up his more prestigious governorship in the Seychelles, assumed the post of Colonial Secretary.

Hugh Norman-Walker was one of these "old-fashioned colonial officials" and news emerged in the beginning of 1972 that he was going to retire from the government at the turn of 1973.

In May 1973, it was further announced that Hugh Norman-Walker would become the Lieutenant Governor of the Isle of Man.

Hugh Norman-Walker was eligible and chose to enjoy the benefit when he left Hong Kong on 30 September 1973.

Hugh Norman-Walker was supposed to get on board an ocean liner like his counterparts, but it turned out that there was no ocean liner calling at Hong Kong at the time of his departure.

Hugh Norman-Walker was supposed to take up the new post as the Lieutenant-Governor of the Isle of Man after he had returned to England.

At first, Hugh Norman-Walker insisted that he would take up the new post as scheduled no matter whether his wife was with him or not.

Hugh Norman-Walker explained that she had been serving out of Britain for too long a time and was eager to reside in England again.

Hugh Norman-Walker claimed that she had had no intention to be impolite to the Manx people.

Hugh Norman-Walker enjoyed a quiet life in Farley, Wiltshire in retirement.

The panel led by Hugh Norman-Walker did not achieve any special breakthrough and it was in 1995 that the Isle of Wight finally became a unitary authority.

Hugh Norman-Walker died in his home in Farley on 28 August 1985, aged 68.

Hugh Norman-Walker's death was mourned by the government of Hong Kong.

Hugh Norman-Walker was a member of the East India Club.