Ernest Hillas Williams

Sir Ernest Hillas Williams JP (16 August 1899 – 5 February 1965) was an Irish judge who served as a British Empire colonial official based for most of his career in British Hong Kong and later also the second Chief Justice of the Combined Judiciary of Sarawak, North Borneo and Brunei.

The Right Honourable Sir
Ernest Hillas Williams
JP
2nd Chief Justice of the Combined Judiciary of Sarawak, North Borneo and Brunei
In office
1957–1957
Nominated byAnthony Eden
Appointed byElizabeth II
Preceded bySir Ivor Llewellyn Brace
Succeeded bySir John Ainley
Secretary for Chinese Affairs
Acting
Covering duties
22 September 1937 – 20 October 1937
MonarchGeorge VI
GovernorVacant
Colonial SecretarySir Thomas Southorn
Covering duties
5 September 1935 – 3 October 1935
MonarchGeorge V
GovernorVacant
Colonial SecretarySir Thomas Southorn
Personal details
Born(1899-08-16)16 August 1899
Cork, Munster, Ireland
Died5 February 1965(1965-02-05) (aged 65)
Málaga, Spain
Resting placeEnglish Cemetery, Málaga, Andalusia, Spain
CitizenshipIrish
Nationality United Kingdom
SpouseMary Howard Williams
Residence(s)Caterham, Tandridge District, Surrey, England
Military service
Allegiance United Kingdom
Branch/service British Army
RankSergeant
UnitHong Kong Volunteer Defence Corps
Battles/warsWorld War II

Career

Williams received a BA in mathematics from Trinity College Dublin in 1922. While serving in the Colonial Service, Williams was promoted from colonial administrator to puisne judge and later also served as the assistant Attorney General of Hong Kong.[1] Over the course of his time in British Hong Kong, Williams was twice appointed acting Secretary for Chinese Affairs of the Executive Council of Hong Kong.[2] Following the events of World War II, Williams was sent to British Borneo and succeeded Sir Ivor Llewellyn Brace as Chief Justice of the Combined Judiciary of Sarawak, North Borneo and Brunei.[1]

Williams was also a sergeant in the Hong Kong Volunteer Defence Corps.[3]

Prisoner of war

Williams was a prisoner of war (POW) held at a camp in Sham Shui Po Barracks before later being moved to Innoshima, Hiroshima Prefecture by the Imperial Japanese Army.[1][4][5][6]

Honours

Death

Williams died in early February 1965 whilst in the town of Málaga, Spain.

See also

References
  1. "Ernest Hillas WILLIAMS [1899–1965]". gwulo.com. Retrieved 20 August 2019.
  2. "Members Database". Legislative Council of Hong Kong. Retrieved 20 August 2019.
  3. "Hong Kong Volunteer Defence Corps". hongkongwardiary.com. Retrieved 20 August 2019.
  4. "British POWs Innoshima POW Camp". mansell.com. Retrieved 20 August 2019.
  5. "Roll of Honour". roll-of-honour.org.uk. Retrieved 20 August 2019.
  6. "Book 3: The POWs". hongkongwardiary.com. Retrieved 20 August 2019.
  7. "CENTRAL CHANCERY OF THE ORDERS OF KNIGHTHOOD" (PDF). The London Gazette. 28 December 1956. Retrieved 20 August 2019.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.