Preceded by Admiral Sir Dudley de Chair KCB KBE MVO |
26th Governor of New South Wales 29 May 1930 to 15 Jan 1935 |
Succeeded by The Rt. Hon. The Lord Gowrie VC GCMG CB DSO |
Contents |
Air Vice Marshal Sir Philip Game GCB GCVO GBE KCMG DSO KStJ was a British Army officer of the Second Boer War and Royal Air Force commander of The Great War, who later served as Governor of New South Wales, serving during a time of political instability with attempts to abolish the New South Wales Legislative Council and necessitating the dismissal of the government of Premier Jack Lang, and as Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis (London), which he held during the 1936 abdication crisis and the Second World War.
Born Philip Woolcott Game on 30th March 1876 at Streatham, Surrey, England, he was the son of George Beale Game, a merchant of Broadway, Worcestershire, and his wife Clara, née Vincent.[1] He was educated at Charterhouse and the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich.
On 11th August 1908 at Blandford, Dorset, England, he married Gwendolen Hughes-Gibb, daughter of Francis Hughes-Gibb of Dorset.[2]
Game was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Royal Artillery in November 1895 and promoted Lieutenant in 1898. He was granted the honour of being officer-in-charge of the gun carriage bearing the coffin of Queen Victoria at her funeral in February 1901. Promoted Captain, he served in the Second Boer War, being Mentioned in Despatches and awarded the Queen's South Africa Medal. He served in India and Ireland and passed through the Staff College at Camberley in 1910.
In 1914 Game went to France as a Major. During the First World War he was appointed Companion of the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) in 1915, and Officer of the Order of the Crown of Italy[3] and Officiers de la Légion d'honneur[4] in 1917. He was five times Mentioned in Despatches. In 1916 he was seconded to the Royal Flying Corps, subsequently transferring to the Royal Air Force on its inauguration: substantive Colonel to Air Commodore. He was appointed Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB) in 1919,[5] upgraded to Knight Commander (KCB) in 1924. He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal with Palm.
Game's ability in staff work led to his appointment as director of training at the Air Ministry and, after a tour of duty as air officer commanding, India (1922-23), as air member for personnel on the Air Council. Appointed Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE) in 1924, he retired at the beginning of 1929 with the rank of Air Vice Marshal.[6] Later in the year he was promoted to Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire (GBE),[7] before being appointed governor of New South Wales.[8] He was also appointed Knight of Grace of the Venerable Order of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem (KStJ).[9]
The new Governor of New South Wales arrived in Sydney in May 1930. The problems of the Great Depression were compounded by bitterness arising from the desire of the Labor Party, led by Jack Lang, to abolish the nominated Upper House, and from Lang's radical socio-economic views. These seemed to Game to be highly dangerous. When the election of 25th October returned Lang, the governor privately expressed his regret to the Nationalist Party leader (Sir) Thomas Bavin, but for the next eighteen months his official and even personal relations with Lang were not unfriendly. Game was conscious that it was very difficult for him to get an unbiassed point of view, his social engagement bringing him in contact with 'ninety-nine Nationalists for every one Labor man'. Upon his departure from the position he was appointed Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG).[10]
In January 1935 Game left Sydney and in December became Commissioner of the London Metropolitan Police. There was considerable discontent in the force over some of the changes made by his predecessor; and he was forced to deal with Fascist and Communist demonstrations, an Irish Republican Army bombing campaign, and, a little later, the organisation of the police role in air-raid precautions and relief. He dealt effectively with those problems and the consequent improvement in police morale was an important factor in the survival of London during the concentrated German air attack of 1940-41. He had also overseen the force during the chaotic 'Year of the Three Kings', 1936. He was awarded the King George V Silver Jubilee Medal in 1935 and King George VI Coronation Medal in 1937. He was appointed Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order (GCVO) for his organisational work at the 1937 coronation,[11] and promoted Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath (GCB) in 1945.[12] Sir Philip and Lady Game's second son had been killed in action at Taranto, Italy, in 1943.
Game retired in 1945. In 1953 he was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal.
He passed away at his home, Blackenhall, Sevenoaks, Kent, England on 4th February 1961,[13] survived by his wife, daughter and by his elder son, who had married Vera, daughter of Sir Charles Bickerton Blackburn.
Sir Philip Game is commmemmorated in New South Wales through Sir Phillip Game Reserve, located on the northern side of Lady Game Drive at West Lindfield.[14] In London, The Sir Philip Game Centre, Surrey, now named in his honour as the powerhouse behind its establishment, continues to provide healthy challenges and activities for young people.
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G > Game > Philip Woolcott Game GCB GCVO
Categories: Charterhouse School | Royal Military Academy, Woolwich | British Military Officers | Royal Artillery | Royal Flying Corps | Royal Air Force | New South Wales, Governors from 1901 | Commissioners of Police | Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire | Knights Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George | Knights Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order | Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath | Distinguished Service Order | Knights of Grace of the Order of St John | Mentioned in Despatches | Officiers de la Légion d'honneur | Notables