William Peel (colonial administrator)

Infobox_Governor
name=Sir William Peel


width=180px
height=220px
caption=
order=18^th
office=Governor of Hong Kong
term_start=9 May 1930
term_end=17 May 1935
lieutenant=
predecessor=Sir Cecil Clementi
successor=Sir Andrew Caldecott
birth_date=birth date|1875|2|27
birth_place= Hexham, England, UK
death_date=death date and age|1945|2|24|1875|2|27
death_place= Bexhill, England, UK
party=
profession=colonial administrator
alma_mater=Queens College, Cambridge
spouse=Violet Mary Drake
religion=


footnotes=

Sir William Peel (Chinese name: 貝璐, born 27 February 1875) was a British colonial administrator who became the Governor of Hong Kong.

Early life

Peel was born in Hexham, Northumberland of England. He is the son of Rev. W. E. Peel of Boston Spa in Yorkshire. He attended in Silcoates School and later in Queens College, Cambridge

Early Colonial Services

He became a Cadet in the Colonial Service in 1897 and soon promoted to Acting District Officer of Nibong Tebal in 1898 and Bukit Mertajam in 1899 and Province Wellesley until 1901. His next appointment as Acting Second Colonial Secretary took him to Singapore in 1902 until his return to Penang in 1905 to serve as Acting Second Magistrate and Coroner. After serving as Acting Auditor in 1908 in Penang, he continued his service at various capacities in the Federated Malay States such as Acting Secretary to the Resident of Selangor in 1909 and Acting District Officer Lower Perak in 1910 before returning to Penang as President of the Municipal Commissioners Penang in 1911. He became Acting Resident Councillor of Penang from (26 February - 5 October 1917).Later he became president of the municipal commissioners of Singapore in 1918. In 1919 he was appointed as joint passage controller of labour for the Federated Malay States and Straits Settlements in 1920; and chairman of European Unemployment Committee in 1921. In 1922 he became British Adviser for Government of Kedah. He became Acting Resident Councillor of Penang from (10 May - 9 July 1925). In 1927, he acted as officer administering the government and High Commissioner for the Malay States, having been promoted to be Chief Secretary to Government in 1926.

Governor of Hong Kong

On 9 May 1930, Peel was appointed as Governor of Hong Kong. During his tenure, the telephone system in Hong Kong was automated, and the first permanent flight between China and Hong Kong was established. Also, Peel presided over the construction of a Governor's Retreat in Fanling, in the New Territories.

Peel retired in May 1935.

Personal life

Peel married to Violet Mary Drake, daughter of the late W. D. Laing by whom he had two sons.

Places Named After Him

Peel Rise in Hong Kong and Peel Avenue in Penang were named after him. In addition, the Violet Peel Health Centre was named after his wife. The Peel Block of King George V School is named after him. Jalan Peel (Peel Road) in Kuala Lumpur was named after him too.

External links

* [http://www.cousinconnect.com/d/a/64226 Genealogy]