David McNicol (diplomat)

David McNicol CBE
Born	David Williamson McNicol 20 June 1913 Adelaide, South Australia
Died	18 September 2001 (aged 88) Canberra, ACT
Nationality	Australian
Alma mater	University of Adelaide
Occupation	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 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 SEATO, the South-East Asian Treaty Organisation.^[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 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. Holdich, Roger; Nathan, Elizabeth (24 November 2001). "Diplomat party to momentous events". The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA).
2. "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. The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 43855. p. 38. 31 December 1965. Retrieved 3 February 2016.