Ralph Henry Bassett
Ralph Henry Bassett | |
|---|---|
| Born | 16 February 1896 |
| Died | 18 July 1962 (aged 66) |
| Alma mater | University of Nottingham |
| Occupation | Colonial civil servant |
| Years active | 1920–1951 |
| Children | 3 daughters |
Ralph Henry Bassett CMG CBE (16 February 1896 – 18 July 1962) was a British colonial civil servant in British Ceylon who served as Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Industries and Fisheries, Ceylon Government.
Early life and education
[edit]Bassett was born on 16 February 1896, the son of Rev H.J.Bassett, vicar of East Kirkby, Lincolnshire. He was educated at Haileybury College and University of Nottingham. He served with the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry (1914–1919) during the European War and attained the rank of captain.[1][2][3]
Career
[edit]Bassett joined the Colonial Administrative Service in 1920 as a cadet.[4] The following year he went to Ceylon and served in various administrative and legal posts including Assistant Government Agent; Assistant Settlement Officer; Police Magistrate, Colombo, and Deputy Public Prosecutor.[1][2][3]
During the early 1930s, he established the Marketing Department, Ceylon Government, and was appointed Marketing Commissioner responsible for promoting national products.[5] In 1935, he toured India as Ceylon's trade representative to develop Ceylon trade.[6] He served for many years as Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Industries and Fisheries, Ceylon Government.[1][3]
Bassett retired to England and from 1951 to 1961 served as Chief Civil Defence Officer for South Gloucestershire.[1]
Personal life and death
[edit]Bassett married Norah Madden and they had three daughters. He served as a member of the British Colonial Auxiliary Forces and was awarded the Long Service Medal.[1][3]
Bassett died on 18 July 1962, aged 66.[1][3]
Publications
[edit]- Romantic Ceylon: Its History, Legend, and Story (1930)
- The Rare Romances of Nariya the Jackal (1933)
Honours
[edit]Bassett was appointed Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG) in the 1951 Birthday Honours.[8] He was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 1943 Birthday Honours,[9] raised to Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 1949 Birthday Honours.[10]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f Who was who, 1961-1970 : a companion to Who's who. Internet Archive. London : A. & C. Black. 1979. p. 67. ISBN 978-0-7136-2008-5.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link) - ^ a b Relations, Great Britain Office of Commonwealth (1936). The Dominions Office and Colonial Office. Waterlow & Sons, Limited. p. 612.
- ^ a b c d e f "Mr. R. H. Bassett". The Times. 20 July 1962. p. 17.
- ^ "Indian and Home Civil Services". The Times. 26 June 1920. p. 5.
- ^ "Kandy stages an Industrial Exhibition". The Straits Times. 3 September 1935. p. 19.
- ^ "Ceylon and India. Tariff And Trade". The Straits Times. 9 November 1935. p. 6.
- ^ "The Literary Page—New books reviewed". The Straits Budget. 28 November 1929. p. 13.
- ^ "Page 3103 | Supplement 39246, 1 June 1951 | London Gazette | The Gazette". www.thegazette.co.uk. Retrieved 2025-01-06.
- ^ "Page 2437 | Supplement 36033, 28 May 1943 | London Gazette | The Gazette". www.thegazette.co.uk. Retrieved 2025-01-06.
- ^ "Page 2835 | Supplement 38631, 3 June 1949 | London Gazette | The Gazette". www.thegazette.co.uk. Retrieved 2025-01-06.
- 1896 births
- 1962 deaths
- Companions of the Order of St Michael and St George
- British expatriates in British Ceylon
- Colonial Administrative Service officers
- British civil servants in British Ceylon
- People educated at Haileybury and Imperial Service College
- Alumni of Nottingham Trent University
- Officers of the Order of the British Empire
- Commanders of the Order of the British Empire