Charles Kevin

John Charles George Kevin CBE (9 October 1909 – 13 February 1968) was an Australian public servant and diplomat.

Charles Kevin CBE
Born
John Charles George Kevin

(1909-10-09)9 October 1909
Forbes, New South Wales
Died13 February 1968(1968-02-13) (aged 58)
Pretoria, South Africa
Resting placeZanderfontein Cemetery
NationalityAustralian
Alma materUniversity of Sydney
Occupation(s)Public servant, diplomat
Spouses
Hermine Schick
​
​
(m. 1939; div. 1962)​
    Mary Therese Wilson
    ​
    (m. 1963)​

    Life and career

    Charles Kevin, as he was known, graduated from the University of Sydney law school.[1]

    In June 1945, Kevin joined the Department of External Affairs.[2]

    In 1948, Kevin was acting High Commissioner of Australia to India.[3] Kevin and his wife Hermine separated in 1949.[4] In 1951 Kevin's wife Hermine petitioned for divorce and was granted an order for restitution of conjugal rights; when Charles Kevin petitioned for divorce in January 1952 the request was rejected.[5][6]

    Kevin was posted Minister to Indonesia in 1953, an appointment that then Minister for external affairs Richard Casey, Baron Casey said was part of a planned policy to build up diplomatic relations in Asia's south east.[7] While he was Minister, Australia and Indonesia signed a new trade agreement for the trade of goods worth over £5 million.[8]

    After his Indonesia posting, from 1955 to 1959, Kevin was an assistant secretary in the external affairs department in Canberra.[9] He arrived for his next posting as High Commissioner to Ceylon in 1959, serving in that capacity until 1961. In Ceylon, Kevin met Mary Therese Wilson, an Englishwoman and began a new relationship, whilst still married to Hermine.[2]

    Kevin was appointed High Commissioner to Pakistan, in 1961 he arrived in the country in September that year.[10]

    His divorce was finally granted in 1962, while he was Ambassador-designate to South Africa.[4] On 6 May 1963, Kevin married Mary Therese Wilson.[2]

    His appointment as Ambassador to Sweden was announced in September 1967, with the intention for the posting to take effect on the retirement of Bertram Ballard.[11] Before he could leave for Sweden, on 13 February 1968, Kevin died of cancer while still in office in Pretoria.[2] Kevin's body was buried at the Zanderfontein Cemetery near Pretoria in South Africa.[12]

    Awards

    In the 1964 Queen's Birthday Honours (Australia), Kevin was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire during his time as Australian Ambassador in Cape Town.[13]

    References
    1. "Mr. C. Kevin for Indonesia". The Canberra Times. ACT. 6 January 1953. p. 2.
    2. Beaumont, Joan, "Kevin, John Charles George (1909–1968)", Australian Dictionary of Biography, Australian National University, archived from the original on 22 September 2015
    3. "Minister to Indonesia: Appointment of Mr. C. Kevin". The Sydney Morning Herald. NSW. 5 January 1953. p. 2.
    4. "Divorce for New Envoy". The Canberra Times. 27 June 1962. p. 2.
    5. "Court rejects Kevin divorce claim". The Canberra Times. ACT. 3 March 1953.
    6. "Diplomat has fears of wife". Barrier Miner. Broken Hill, NSW. 16 February 1953. p. 3.
    7. "Career diplomat for Indonesia". Advocate. Burnie, Tasmania. 5 January 1953. p. 10.
    8. "Trade pact with Indonesia signed". The Mercury. Hobart, Tasmania. 29 November 1954. p. 2.
    9. "Envoy to South Africa dies". The Canberra Times. ACT. 14 February 1968. p. 1.
    10. "Envoy to Pakistan". The Canberra Times. 28 September 1961. p. 9.
    11. "New envoy to Sweden". The Canberra Times. ACT. 26 September 1967. p. 3.
    12. "Funeral of envoy". The Canberra. 15 February 1968.
    13. "Search Australian Honours: KEVIN, John Charles George, The Order of the British Empire - Commander (Civil)", itsanhonour.gov.au, Australian Government, archived from the original on 30 January 2016
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