Dennis White (colonial Administrator)
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Sir Dennis Charles White (30 July 1910 – 17 October 1983), sometimes referred to as Tuan D.C. White, was a British colonial administrator in
Sarawak Sarawak (; ) is a States and federal territories of Malaysia, state of Malaysia. The largest among the 13 states, with an area almost equal to that of Peninsular Malaysia, Sarawak is located in northwest Borneo Island, and is bordered by the M ...
and formerly the British High Commissioner to Brunei.


Career

White was educated at
Bradfield College Bradfield College, formally St Andrew's College, Bradfield, is a public school (English independent day and boarding school) for pupils aged 11–18, located in the small village of Bradfield in the English county of Berkshire. It is note ...
, then joined the service of the
Rajah of Sarawak The White Rajahs were a dynastic monarchy of the British Brooke family, who founded and ruled the Raj of Sarawak, located on the north west coast of the island of Borneo, from 1841 to 1946. The first ruler was Briton James Brooke. As a reward f ...
in 1932. Before
World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...
he served in areas where the Dayak majority were suspicious of the government in
Kuching Kuching (), officially the City of Kuching, is the capital and the most populous city in the States and federal territories of Malaysia, state of Sarawak in Malaysia. It is also the capital of Kuching Division. The city is on the Sarawak River ...
, and he played an active part in winning over rebel leaders."Sir Dennis White" (obituary), ''The Times'', London, 4 November 1983, page 13 During the war he was a prisoner in Kuching, and afterwards, as one of the few experienced Sarawak officers to survive, he was closely involved in the difficult negotiations for Sarawak to be ceded to the British Crown. There was an anti-cession movement and the second
Governor A governor is an administrative leader and head of a polity or political region, ranking under the head of state and in some cases, such as governors-general, as the head of state's official representative. Depending on the type of political ...
, Sir Duncan Stewart, was murdered shortly after he arrived; but a happier period followed the arrival of Sir Anthony Abell, the third Governor. White was then based in
Sibu Sibu (; Foochow Romanized, Hokchew Romanized: ''Sĭ-bŭ'') is a landlocked city in the central region of Sarawak. It is the capital of Sibu District in Sibu Division, Sarawak, Malaysia. The city is located on the island of Borneo and covers ...
– "his good knowledge of the Dayak and
Malay Malay may refer to: Languages * Malay language or Bahasa Melayu, a major Austronesian language spoken in Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei and Singapore ** History of the Malay language, the Malay language from the 4th to the 14th century ** Indonesi ...
languages was one of his attributes that endeared him to the local people." White was posted to
Brunei Brunei ( , ), formally Brunei Darussalam ( ms, Negara Brunei Darussalam, Jawi alphabet, Jawi: , ), is a country located on the north coast of the island of Borneo in Southeast Asia. Apart from its South China Sea coast, it is completely sur ...
in 1958 as British
Resident Resident may refer to: People and functions * Resident minister, a representative of a government in a foreign country * Resident (medicine), a stage of postgraduate medical training * Resident (pharmacy), a stage of postgraduate pharmaceutic ...
; in the following year the constitution was changed, the post of Resident was abolished and White became the first British High Commissioner for Brunei. He retired in 1963 but served as Agent in London for Brunei 1967–82.


Honours

Dennis White was appointed
OBE The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry, rewarding contributions to the arts and sciences, work with charitable and welfare organisations, and public service outside the civil service. It was established o ...
in the
1953 Coronation Honours The 1953 Coronation Honours were appointments by Queen Elizabeth II to various orders and honours on the occasion of her coronation on 2 June 1953. The honours were published in ''The London Gazette'' on 1 June 1953.New Zealand list: The reci ...
, CMG in the 1959
Queen's Birthday Honours The Birthday Honours, in some Commonwealth realms, mark the reigning British monarch's official birthday by granting various individuals appointment into national or dynastic orders or the award of decorations and medals. The honours are present ...
, and knighted KBE in the 1962
New Year Honours The New Year Honours is a part of the British honours system, with New Year's Day, 1 January, being marked by naming new members of orders of chivalry and recipients of other official honours. A number of other Commonwealth realms also mark this ...
. In 1963 the Sultan of Brunei awarded him the Family Order of Brunei, First Class. In 1970, he was given the title Yang Dimuliakan (The Honourable) Pehin Orang Kaya Datu Patinggi Maha Kornia Diraja by
Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Hassanal Bolkiah ibni Omar Ali Saifuddien III ( Jawi: ; born 15 July 1946) is the 29th and current Sultan and Yang di-Pertuan of Brunei since 1967 and the Prime Minister of Brunei since independence from the United Kingdom in 1984. He is one ...
at
Lapau The Lapau, also known as the Royal Ceremonial Hall, is a ceremonial hall in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei. It is where the royal ceremonies, state investiture and some state events are traditionally held. It was the place where the present Sult ...
.


National

*
Order of the British Empire The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry, rewarding contributions to the arts and sciences, work with charitable and welfare organisations, and public service outside the civil service. It was established ...
Knight Commander (KBE) – Sir 1962 *
Order of St Michael and St George The Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George is a British order of chivalry founded on 28 April 1818 by George IV, George IV, Prince of Wales, while he was acting as prince regent for his father, George III, King George III. ...
Companion (CMG) – 1959


Foreign

* : **
Family Order of Seri Utama The Most Esteemed Family Order of Seri Utama ( ms, Darjah Kerabat Seri Utama Yang Amat Dihormati) is an order of Brunei. It was established on 1 March 1954 by Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III. The order carries the post-nominal letters "DK" as well ...
(DK) – Dato Seri Utama (31 March 1963) **
Order of Seri Paduka Mahkota Brunei The Most Honourable Order of Seri Paduka Mahkota Brunei ( ms, Darjah Seri Paduka Mahkota Brunei Yang Amat Mulia), also translated as The Most Honourable Order of the Crown of Brunei, is an order of Brunei. It was established on 1 March 1954 by Su ...
First Class (SPMB) – Dato Seri Paduka


References

{{DEFAULTSORT:White, Dennis 1910 births 1983 deaths People educated at Bradfield College British administrators in Sarawak High Commissioners of the United Kingdom to Brunei Knights Commander of the Order of the British Empire Companions of the Order of St Michael and St George Administrators in British Brunei