Ernest Clark (governor)

Sir Ernest Clark GCMG KCB CBE
15th Governor of Tasmania
In office 4 August 1933 – 4 August 1945
Monarch	George V (1933-1936) Edward VIII (1936) George VI (1936-1945)
Preceded by	Sir James O'Grady
Succeeded by	Sir Hugh Binney
Personal details
Born	13 April 1864 Plumstead, Kent, England, UK
Died	26 August 1951 (aged 87) Seaton, Devon, England, UK
Resting place	Cornelian Bay, Tasmania
Nationality	British
Spouse(s)	Mary Winkfield (1899–1944) Harriet Jessie Constance McLennan (1947–1951)

Sir Ernest Clark GCMG KCB CBE (13 April 1864 – 26 August 1951) was a British civil servant, who was Governor of Tasmania from 1933 to 1945.

Early life and education

Ernest Clark was born on 13 April 1864 in Plumstead, Kent to teacher Samuel Henry Clark, and his wife Ann Leaver. He was educated at King's College London, and entered the civil service in 1881, working for HM Treasury.

Civil service

Clark was called to the bar at Middle Temple in 1894, and joined the Treasury's legal staff. In 1904, he had his first experience managing colonial finances when he was seconded to the Cape Colony in Africa to establish the colony's taxation procedures, subsequently serving the government of the Union of South Africa.^[1]

When World War I broke out, Clark worked as a Treasury liaison officer with the War Office and the Ministry of Munitions. After the war, he was appointed CBE in the 1918 Birthday Honours, and joined the Board of Inland Revenue as assistant secretary and deputy inspector of taxes. He was knighted in the 1920 Birthday Honours.^[1]

From 1920, Clark was appointed to Northern Ireland as assistant under-secretary – the equal in the six counties to Sir John Anderson, the head of the Dublin administration – and was instrumental in resolving amicable relations between Northern Ireland and the newly formed Irish Free State.^[2] His friendship with James Hamilton, 3rd Duke of Abercorn, the Governor of Northern Ireland, also eased relations between the new Irish government and Downing Street. Clark was appointed a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath in 1924.^[1]

Governor of Tasmania

Clark visited Australia in 1928, as a member of a British government economic delegation tasked with examining the state of the Australian economy.^[3] His report on Australian economics greatly impressed the Premier of Tasmania, Joseph Lyons, and it was believed that Lyons (by then Prime Minister) may have suggested Clark for the post of Governor of Tasmania in 1933. The post had been vacant since 1930 due to lack of funds, and Clark's appointment, with his background in finance and contacts in London business may aid both Tasmania and Australia.^[1]

Clark's term as governor was extended three times due to World War II. He was enormously popular in Tasmania, especially because of his untiring visits to all parts of the state, encouraging morale during the war. He was given the rare honour of GCMG at the end of hostilities.

Clark returned to England in 1945, where he married his second wife Harriet McLennan in 1947. He died on 26 August 1951 at his home in Seaton, Devon, and his remains were shipped to Tasmania for interment at Cornelian Bay Cemetery.^[1]

Freemasonry

He was a freemason. During his term as Governor (1933-1945), he was also Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Tasmania.^[4]

References

1. John Reynolds, Clark, Sir Ernest (1864 - 1951), Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 8, Melbourne University Press, 1981, pp 6-7.
2. Keogh, Dermot; Michael H. Haltzel (1993). Northern Ireland and the Politics of Reconciliation. UK: Cambridge University Press. p. 90. ISBN 0-521-45933-8.
3. McDougall, F.L.: Letter to the Prime Minister - Business Delegation, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Australia), 1 March 1928.
4. http://kenthenderson.com.au/m_papers03.html

External links

• Private papers at the Morris Miller Library
• A brief bio at the National Archives of Australia