P. H. Meadows

Percival Herbert Meadows
CBEPJGPSB
Meadows, c. 1953
Chairman of the Singapore Tourist Promotion Board
In office1 March 1967 (1967-03-01) – 28 February 1969 (1969-02-28)
Preceded byTan Kia Gan
Succeeded byRunme Shaw
Personal details
Born(1919-05-15)15 May 1919
DiedJuly 1997(1997-07-00) (aged 78)
Norwich, Norfolk, England
NationalityBritish
SpousePatricia Mary Edwards
Alma materWye CollegeMagdalene College, CambridgeSOAS University of London
Nicknames
  • Val
  • Percey
  • Percy
Military service
AllegianceUnited KingdomBritish India
Branch/service British Army British Indian Army
RankMajor
Battles/wars

Percival Herbert MeadowsCBEPJGPSB (15 May 1919 – July 1997) was a British administrator, who also served as a civil servant in North Borneo and Singapore. Meadows fought in World War II, attaining the rank of major at the end of his service.

In 1947, Meadows joined the Colonial Administrative Service and became the chairman of the Singapore Tourist Promotion Board from 1967 to 1969.

Early life and education

On 15 May 1919, Meadows was born. He received his education at Wye College, specialising in tropical horticulture. After the war, Meadows attended Magdalene College, Cambridge, and SOAS University of London.[1]

Career

Military career

Following the outbreak of the World War II, Meadows enlisted in the Royal Lincolnshire Regiment. On 10 July 1941, Meadows received an emergency commission to become a second lieutenant, and he was posted to the British India Army. Meadows served in the 8th Battalion of the 12th Frontier Force Regiment, stationed in the North-West Frontier Province. Later on, Meadows went to Karachi for intelligence training, and obtained a pilot's licence in a de Havilland DH.60 Moth.[1][2]

In 1943, Meadows became a brigade intelligence officer in the 74th Indian Infantry Brigade, stationed in the Arakan Division. Meadows was responsible for establishing a patrol and ambush base six miles down the Naf River, south of Maungdaw. More than 120 Japanese soldiers were killed, after Meadows personally led small teams into Japanese territory to conduct ambushes. On 15 November 1944, in view of his conduct, Meadows was nominated by his commanding officer for a Military Cross.[1][3]

In 1945, Meadows was transferred to the 2nd Gurkha Rifles and became a station commander.[1][4] After that, Meadows was promoted to the rank of major.[5]

Civil career

In 1947, Meadows joined the Colonial Administrative Service as an administrative officer. He was posted to North Borneo.[5] In 1949, Meadows was appointed as the honorary consul in Portuguese Macau, where he also sent intelligence reports on the Chinese Civil War to London.[1] In July 1951, after completing a course on sinology in Macau, Meadows was appointed as the assistant commissioner for labour in Singapore.[4][6] In 1952, Meadows was promoted to commissioner for labour in Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang.[7]

In January 1953, Meadows was appointed as the deputy secretary for the social welfare department under the Ministry of Labour.[8][9] In April 1953, Meadows stated that young girls were still being used as lures in opium dens to attract new addicts, and believed if a new investigation was conducted, fresh evidence may be uncovered to support the statement.[10] In August 1953, Meadows announced that the anti-vice section under his department conducted 75 raids in the previous month on hotels and other places. As such, the number of prostitutes operating in Singapore decreased, and Meadows added that they have shifted their operations to Johore Bahru. However, an official from Johore Bahru refuted his statement, and said there have been no noticeable increase of prostitutes in the city.[11][12]

In 1957, Meadows was appointed as the chairman of the Singapore Rural Board.[13][14] In November 1957, he suggested to the Marine Police that they should not take any action against islanders who use their own fishing boats to carry belongings and passengers, given that there is no public transport to offshore islands. Meadows also asked the Ministry of Commerce and Industry to amend the port rules to allow islanders of the Southern Islands to carry passengers on their fishing boats, since the islanders had no other form of transport.[15][16]

In September 1959, the Singapore Rural Board was absorbed by the Ministry of National Development, and as such in November 1959, Meadows was transferred to the Prime Minister's Office.[17][18] In 1960, Meadows was formally appointed as the secretary for special duties to Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew.[19][20][21] Meadows retired from the civil service in 1962.[22]

Later career

In August 1964, Meadows joined the board of Pan-Electric Industries.[23]

On 1 March 1967, after Tan Kia Gan was fired, Meadows took over as chairman of the Singapore Tourist Promotion Board.[24][25] In December 1968, Meadows announced a plan to convert Pulau Tekukor into a tourist island resort within 18 months. However, the plan was shelved.[26][27] In January 1969, Meadows disclosed a plan to develop Pulau Blakang Mati into a tourist island.[28][29] On 28 February 1969, Meadows stepped down as chairman, and he was succeeded by Runme Shaw.[30]

In 1971, Meadows was the chairman of the National Bank in Brunei.[31] In 1973, he was also appointed as the executive chairman of Far East–Levingston Shipbuilding (FELS), and later managing director on 1 October 1974.[32][33] On 31 July 1980, Meadows retired. George Bogaars was elected as the new chairman of FELS, and Low Wing Siew as managing director.[34]

Personal life

Meadows was married to Patricia Mary Edwards (1922 – 13 January 2024).[35][36][37] His wife arrived in Singapore in 1952.

In 1964, Minister for Finance Goh Keng Swee suggested the production of local souvenirs, as opposed to imported, to "give Singapore an identity in the minds of tourists". As such, in 1968, a company, Design Singapura, was established by entrepreneur Donald Moore to promote local arts and crafts. Meadows was appointed as a director of the board, and his wife thought of manufacturing unique Singaporean handwoven products, marketed as Khersonese silk. His wife came across the ancient Greek name for the Malayan peninsula after reading a book. She also served as the production manager of the factory located off MacPherson Road.[38]

As Meadows' wife wanted to reach out to a wider customer base and sell more Khersonese silk products, she began custom-making a small batch of silk kimonos, and sold several pieces to British socialites. By 1973, demand for the product slowly disappeared. In 2023, five pieces of Meadows' wife Khersonese silk products were donated by herself to the National Heritage Board.[38]

Upon his retirement, Meadows and his wife moved to Norwich, Norfolk. In July 1997, at the age of 78, Meadows died.[1]

Awards and decorations

Military

Civil

References

  1. ^ abcdefghijkl"Medals, Orders and Decorations, including the Fred Rockwood Collection (Part 2) Auction 74"(PDF). Morton and Eden. 12 June 2015. p. 176. Retrieved 25 May 2025.
  2. ^"Supplement to The London Gazette: Emergency Commissions". The London Gazette. No. 35279. 19 September 1941. p. 5449. Retrieved 25 May 2025.
  3. ^ ab"Supplement to The London Gazette: The Military Cross". The London Gazette. No. 37262. 11 September 1945. p. 4559. Retrieved 25 May 2025.
  4. ^ ab"ASST. LABOUR COMMISSIONER". Singapore Free Press. 20 July 1951. p. 5. Retrieved 25 May 2025 – via NewspaperSG.
  5. ^ ab"RECRUITS TO MALAYA". The Straits Times. 23 November 1947. p. 5. ISSN 0585-3923. OCLC 8572659. Retrieved 25 May 2025 – via NewspaperSG.
  6. ^"APPOINTMENTS". Singapore Tiger Standard. 27 July 1951. p. 5. Retrieved 25 May 2025 – via NewspaperSG.
  7. ^"GONE ON LEAVE". The Straits Times. 20 June 1952. p. 9. ISSN 0585-3923. OCLC 8572659. Retrieved 25 May 2025 – via NewspaperSG.
  8. ^"Untitled". Singapore Free Press. 3 January 1953. p. 5. Retrieved 25 May 2025 – via NewspaperSG.
  9. ^"TEAM TO HELP ALLOT HOMES". Singapore Free Press. 26 June 1953. p. 5. Retrieved 25 May 2025 – via NewspaperSG.
  10. ^"GIRLS ARE USED AS LURES IN OPIUM DENS, SAYS WELFARE OFFICER". The Straits Times. p. 5. ISSN 0585-3923. OCLC 8572659. Retrieved 25 May 2025 – via NewspaperSG.
  11. ^"Vice girls driving to Johore". The Straits Times. 11 August 1953. p. 19. ISSN 0585-3923. OCLC 8572659. Retrieved 25 May 2025 – via NewspaperSG.
  12. ^"Vice girls? Not here says J.B."The Straits Times. 12 August 1953. p. 8. ISSN 0585-3923. OCLC 8572659. Retrieved 25 May 2025 – via NewspaperSG.
  13. ^"FLOODS: 'NOTHING OF NOTE DONE'". The Straits Times. 27 September 1957. p. 6. ISSN 0585-3923. OCLC 8572659. Retrieved 25 May 2025 – via NewspaperSG.
  14. ^"Islanders told: Take interest in election". The Straits Times. 14 October 1957. p. 5. ISSN 0585-3923. OCLC 8572659. Retrieved 25 May 2025 – via NewspaperSG.
  15. ^"It's boats only—no public transport". The Straits Times. 1 November 1957. p. 6. ISSN 0585-3923. OCLC 8572659. Retrieved 25 May 2025 – via NewspaperSG.
  16. ^"Fishermen want to take passengers". The Straits Times. 15 November 1957. p. 4. ISSN 0585-3923. OCLC 8572659. Retrieved 25 May 2025 – via NewspaperSG.
  17. ^"TOP JOBS CHANGES IN THE CIVIL SERVICE". The Straits Times. 18 September 1959. p. 4. ISSN 0585-3923. OCLC 8572659. Retrieved 25 May 2025 – via NewspaperSG.
  18. ^"VOLUNTEERS SAIL IN TO TIDY UP ISLAND No. 2". The Straits Times. 21 September 1959. p. 5. ISSN 0585-3923. OCLC 8572659. Retrieved 25 May 2025 – via NewspaperSG.
  19. ^"PREMIER ASSURES COUNCIL WORKERS". Singapore Free Press. 16 October 1959. p. 1. Retrieved 25 May 2025 – via NewspaperSG.
  20. ^"Council men ask Mr. Lee for ruling on jobs". The Straits Times. 6 November 1959. p. 4. ISSN 0585-3923. OCLC 8572659. Retrieved 25 May 2025 – via NewspaperSG.
  21. ^"Lee froze a bid to vote $500,000 for Ong's 'private force'". The Straits Times. 27 January 1961. p. 6. ISSN 0585-3923. OCLC 8572659. Retrieved 25 May 2025 – via NewspaperSG.
  22. ^Soh, Tiang Keng (13 June 1970). "Hour of glory for the 98 who won awards". The Straits Times. p. 8. ISSN 0585-3923. OCLC 8572659. Retrieved 25 May 2025 – via NewspaperSG.
  23. ^"Mr. Oei is chairman of Pan Electric Industries". The Straits Times. 14 August 1964. p. 6. ISSN 0585-3923. OCLC 8572659. Retrieved 25 May 2025 – via NewspaperSG.
  24. ^"Tourist Promotion Board Head". Eastern Sun. 3 March 1967. p. 6. Retrieved 25 May 2025 – via NewspaperSG.
  25. ^"Tourist chairman". The Straits Times. 4 March 1967. p. 13. ISSN 0585-3923. OCLC 8572659. Retrieved 25 May 2025 – via NewspaperSG.
  26. ^"'Dove Island' To Be Converted Into Tourist Island Resort". Eastern Sun. 30 December 1968. p. 2. Retrieved 25 May 2025 – via NewspaperSG.
  27. ^"Pulau Tekukor di-bena untok tempat peranginan" [Pulau Tekukor is being used as a resort]. Berita Harian (in Malay). 31 December 1968. p. 7. OCLC 53812840. Retrieved 25 May 2025 – via NewspaperSG.
  28. ^"A 'Paradise Island'". The Straits Times. 23 January 1969. p. 4. ISSN 0585-3923. OCLC 8572659. Retrieved 25 May 2025 – via NewspaperSG.
  29. ^"Blakang Mati Tourist Plan". Eastern Sun. 4 April 1969. p. 3. Retrieved 25 May 2025 – via NewspaperSG.
  30. ^"Tan Sri Shaw Chairman Of STPB". Eastern Sun. 4 March 1969. p. 4. Retrieved 25 May 2025 – via NewspaperSG.
  31. ^"National Bank grows". The Straits Times. 9 June 1971. p. 15. ISSN 0585-3923. OCLC 8572659. Retrieved 25 May 2025 – via NewspaperSG.
  32. ^"COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS". The Straits Times. 1 February 1973. p. 16. ISSN 0585-3923. OCLC 8572659. Retrieved 25 May 2025 – via NewspaperSG.
  33. ^"FELS to have new chief". The Business Times. 1 March 1980. p. 1. OCLC 464696647. Retrieved 25 May 2025 – via NewspaperSG.
  34. ^"Bogaars chairs FELS". The Business Times. 29 August 1980. p. 13. OCLC 464696647. Retrieved 25 May 2025 – via NewspaperSG.
  35. ^Bishop, Donna-Louise (29 February 2024). "Norfolk death notices: Tearoom owner and charity founder". Eastern Daily Press. Retrieved 25 May 2025.
  36. ^"PATRICIA 'Mary' MEADOWS". Eastern Daily Press. 13 January 2024. Retrieved 25 May 2025.
  37. ^"Deceased Estates: Patricia Mary Meadows". The London Gazette. 13 March 2025. Retrieved 25 May 2025.
  38. ^ abPhoon, Nicholas (6 September 2024). "Silks from the 'Golden Khersonese': A New Acquisition by the Founders' Memorial". www.roots.gov.sg. Retrieved 25 May 2025.
  39. ^"Supplement to The London Gazette: Most Excellent Order of the British Empire". The London Gazette. No. 42870. 28 December 1962. p. 24. Retrieved 25 May 2025.
  40. ^"Sir William becomes an honours list G.C.M.G."The Straits Times. 1 January 1963. p. 14. ISSN 0585-3923. OCLC 8572659. Retrieved 25 May 2025 – via NewspaperSG.
  41. ^"Meadows heads honours list for tourism growth". The Straits Times. 9 August 1969. p. 1. ISSN 0585-3923. OCLC 8572659. Retrieved 25 May 2025 – via NewspaperSG.
  42. ^"195 DI-BERI PINGAT KEHORMATAN HARI NASIONAL" [195 AWARDED NATIONAL DAY HONOUR MEDALS]. Berita Harian (in Malay). 9 August 1969. p. 1. OCLC 53812840. Retrieved 25 May 2025 – via NewspaperSG.
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