Arthur Espie Porritt Bt GCMG (1900 - 1994)

Born 10 Aug 1900 in Wanganui, Wellington, New Zealand

Ancestors

Husband of Mary Frances Wynne (Bond) Ling — married 1926 (to 1946) in London, England

Died 1 Jan 1994 at age 93 in London, England, United Kingdom

Preceded by 10th Governor-General Bernard Fergusson

Arthur Porritt 11th Governor-General of New Zealand Dec 1 1967 - Sep 7 1972

Succeeded by 12th Governor-General Denis Blundell

Biography

Arthur Porritt Bt GCMG is Notable.

Colonel The Right Honourable The Lord Porritt, Bt, GCMG, GCVO, CBE, FRCS (Arthur Espie Porritt), (10 August 1900 – 1 January 1994) was a New Zealand physician, military surgeon, statesman and athlete^[1]. He won a bronze medal at the 1924 Summer Olympics in the 100 metre sprint. He served as the 11th Governor-General of New Zealand between 1967 and 1972^[2].

Early Life in New Zealand

Arthur Espie was born on 10 August 1900^[3] in Wanganui, New Zealand, He was the son of Ernest Edward Porritt, a doctor, and Ivy Elizabeth McKenzie.

He was educated in Wanganui, attending Hurworth School from 1908^[4] where he obtained his Elementary Certificate from the Royal Life-Saving Society in 1912^[5] and his Proficiency Certificate in 1913^[6].

From there he went to Wanganui Collegiate School in 1914^[7]. His mother died during that first year at secondary school^[8], and his father left soon after to serve in World War I. He boarded over the following four years^[2]. During his school years he became friends with Peter Dickson, at one stage sharing a double desk with him. They had a bond in that both of them had lost a parent in 1914, Arthur his mother and Peter his father.

He was a sportsman. In 1915 he won the Consolation under 15 years 220 yards race at the Collegiate Athletic Sports day^[9]. In January 1916 he obtained a pass with credit in the national examinations giving him a Senior Free Place^[10]. In 1918 he was runner-up for the Senior Challenge Cup^[11], second in the long jump and first in the 120 yards hurdles. He played rugby ^[12], being a three-quarters in the the annual game between Wanganui Collegiate College and Te Aute College in 1918. He was Dux of School that year, and was awarded a University Bursary.

In 1919, after he left Collegiate, he taught English, French, Latin, Geography, Divinity and Mathematics at Croydon Preparatory School, Days Bay^[4]. He was also the sole games master taking Cricket, Football, Swimming. Shooting. Drill (physical and military), Tennis and Athletics.

The following year he began studying towards a medical degree at the University of Otago^[4], passing medical intermediate in his first year. During his last year he passed his First Medical Professional Examination with distinction in both Anatomy and Physiology, then obtained a 1st Class Pass in Pharmacy.

In 1922 Arthur was nominated by the University of Otago^[13] for the Rhodes Scholarship^[14]. He had just passed his first professional examination with distinction, one of only two students to do so. He was well known for his achievements on the track. At the previous university sports day, he won the 100 yards, the 220 yards, the high jump, the 120 yards hurdles, and the challenge cup for the highest aggregate points. His home town newspaper announced on 1 November that he had been selected for the scholarship^[15]. The paper published a complete record of his scholastic, athletic and other records.

His fellow students and staff of the University of Otago farewelled him at a function on 14 June 1923^[16]. He received "a wristlet watch, an etching of the entrance to the University, and a well-filled wallet" as gifts. He was also given gifts by the local amateur athletes and representatives of the various harrier clubs, this time receiving "a travelling rug and a dressing case".

Early Overseas Life

Arthur Porritt Bt GCMG migrated from New Zealand to United Kingdom.

On 24 July 1923 Arthur left New Zealand to travel to England^[17]. He enrolled at Magdalen College, University of Oxford^[18] where he studied medicine from 1924 to 1926^[2].

In 1924 he represented New Zealand at the Olympic Games held in Paris^[2]. He won a bronze medal in the 100 metres and two heats in the 200 metres, but came fifth in the semi-final. (The 100-metre race was later immortalised in the film Chariots of Fire^[19], with Arthur's character being called Tom Watson.) He later beat the Olympic gold winner, Harold Abrahams, over 100 yards. In 1925 he set an Oxford–Cambridge record for 100 yards which was not beaten until 1962. That year he graduated with a B.A. (Bachelor of Arts)^[20].

Arthur married Mary Frances Wynne Bond on 15 July 1926 at St Martin-In-The-Fields, London, Westminster^[21]. He was a 25-year-old medical student living at the Crown Hotel, Craven Street, London W.C.2. They did not have any children.

In 1926 he became a house surgeon at St Mary’s Hospital, London^[2]. He graduated from there in 1928 with a B.Ch. (Bachelor of Surgery)^[20] and was also registered that year as L.R.C.P. (Licentiate, Royal College of Physicians, London). That same year he attended the Olympic Games in Amsterdam, where he was captain of the New Zealand team but was unable to compete because of injury^[2]. In 1929 he was co-author with D G A Lowe of the book Athletics, still available from used books sites like Amazon^[22].

Arthur continued to gain further qualifications^[20] over the next few years. He became a F.R.C.S. (Fellow, Royal College of Surgeons) in 1930, and graduated from the University of Oxford with a M.B. (Bachelor of Medicine) and from St Mary's Hospital with a M.Ch. (Master of Surgery) in 1930. He also obtained a M.A. (Master of Arts). His most prestigious appointment was Surgeon-in-Ordinary to The Duke of York in 1936, followed by Surgeon to the Royal Household in 1937. Another book he co-authored, Essentials of Modern Surgery^[23], was published in 1938. In 1939 he was a married surgeon at St Mary's Hospital, Praed St., Paddington, London^[24], listed with many staff of the hospital.

Middle Years

Arthur served in World War II^[1]. On 8 March 1940 he was commissioned a lieutenant in the Royal Army Medical Corps (service number 125494). He served in France until the evacuation from Dunkirk. Then he went to Egypt, operating on seriously wounded soldiers from the North African campaign. He was a major by February 1943, then a temporary lieutenant colonel and later in the year an acting rank colonel. On 18 December 1943, he was appointed a consultant surgeon with the local rank of brigadier.

He landed in Normandy on D-Day (6 June 1944). He was twice mentioned in dispatches^[2]. He gave up his position and rank on 1 September 1945^[1], by which time he was a "war-substantive lieutenant colonel". He ended his military career in September 1956, with the honorary rank of colonel in the Territorial Army.

Arthur and his wife divorced. On 20 December 1946 in London he married Kathleen Mary Peck^[25], second daughter of the late Alfred S Peck and Mrs Windley. They had two sons and a daughter.

That year he was appointed Surgeon to King George VI^[2]. After the King's death in 1952, he was appointed as Sergeant -Surgeon to Queen Elizabeth II, a position he held until 1967^[20]. He was Consulting Surgeon of the Army between 1954 and 1967.

Arthur served on a number of organisations. He chaired the Medical Advisory Committee, Ministry of Overseas Development and Medical Services Review Committee in 1958. In 1960 he served as President of both the British Medical Association and the Royal College of Surgeons of England, the first person to hold the two positions simultaneously^[2]. He remained President of the latter until 1963. He chaired the African Medical and Research Foundation for nine years and was Vice-President of the British Empire and Commonwealth Games Federation. Between 1964 and 1966 he was Master of the Apothecaries' Society. His last office at this stage was President of the Royal Society of Medicine between 1966 and 1967.

Service in New Zealand

In 1967 Sir Arthur returned to New Zealand as the country’s 11th governor general, and the first born in New Zealand^[2]. He was the last appointed to the position from overseas. All subsequent governors general have been New Zealand citizens and residents. His old school friend Peter Dickson sent him a letter of welcome, to which Arthur replied.

Later Life

In 1972 he returned to England following the completion of his term. He sat in the House of Lords as an independent member^[2]. He strenuously opposed the immigration laws that made it more difficult for New Zealanders to live and work in Britain. He kept in touch with New Zealand events and visited the country three times after retiring as governor general. He was a director of Sterling Winthrop between 1973 and 1994^[20].

Arthur died on 1 January 1994 at London. He is commemorated on his father's gravestone at Karori Cemetery, Wellington^[26].

Recognition

Honours were bestowed on Arthur from early in his life. He gained sports awards at school, and was Dux of Wanganui Collegiate as noted above. From University he gained the Rhodes Scholarship that took him to the University of Oxford. Then he achieved his greatest sporting success, the bronze medal for the 100 metres at the 1924 Olympic games. Over the next ten years or so he gained many qualifications in medicine.

Arthur received a number of royal honours^[20]. He was appointed an O.B.E. (Officer, Order of the British Empire) in 1943. Two years later he became a C.B.E. (Commander, Order of the British Empire). In 1950 he was appointed K.C.M.G (Knight Commander, Order of St. Michael and St. George) and (K.C.V.O. (Knight Commander, Royal Victorian Order) in 1957. He was created 1st Baronet Porritt of Hampstead on 25 January 1963. He was appointed a G.C.M.G. (Knight Grand Cross, Order of St. Michael and St. George) in 1967. When he was elevated to Baron Porritt (a Life Peer) on 5 February 1973 he chose Wanganui, New Zealand and Hampstead, Greater London for his title^[1]. His coat of arms included two fern fronds and a tui.

He was awarded the United States Legion of Merit^[1].

He was also acknowledged by universities^[20]. His former college, Magdalen College, of the University of Oxford, gave him a D.Sc.h.c. (Honorary Doctor of Science) in 1963. St. Andrew's University, Scotland awarded him a LL.D.h.c. (Honorary Doctor of Laws).

Research Notes

In this biography, I have concentrated on his early life in New Zealand, rather than his life in England which is well covered by many official biographies.

"A baronet ranks below barons but above all knights except, in England, Knights of the Garter and, in Scotland, Knights of the Garter and of the Thistle"^[27].

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4} Wikipedia contributors, "Arthur Porritt, Baron Porritt," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, Accessed Apr 21, 2022
2. ↑ ^{2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10} Diana Beaglehole. 'Porritt, Arthur Espie', Dictionary of New Zealand Biography, first published in 2000, updated May, 2002. Available at Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand Accessed 22 Apr 2022
3. ↑ New Zealand Births, Deaths & Marriages Online (Digital Database), Department of Internal Affairs Birth Registration. Accessed 21 Apr 2021

   1900/13241 Porritt, Arthur Espie Mother=Elizabeth Father=Ernest Edward DOB=10/08/1900

4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1 4.2} Papers Past: THIS YEAR'S RHODES SCHOLAR. Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXVI, Issue 18625, 1 November 1922, Page 8 Accessed 22 Apr 2022
5. ↑ Papers Past: ROYAL LIFE-SAVING SOCIETY. Wanganui Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 13834, 19 November 1912, Page 3 Accessed 21 Apr 2022
6. ↑ Papers Past: LIFE SAVING. Wanganui Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14152, 29 November 1913, Page 7 Accessed 21 Apr 2022
7. ↑ Ancestry.com. New Zealand, School Registers and Lists, 1850-1967 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2015. Original data: New Zealand, School Registers and Lists, 1852–1967. Accessed 21 Apr 2022
   • View free Ancestry Sharing Link

   Name: Arthur Espie Porritt; Attendance Date: 1914-1918; Residence Place: London; Father: E E Porritt.

8. ↑ New Zealand Births, Deaths & Marriages Online (Digital Database), Department of Internal Affairs Death Registration. Accessed 21 Apr 2021

   1914/10441 Porritt, Ivy Elizabeth Age=46Y

9. ↑ Papers Past: ATHLETIC. Wanganui Herald, Volume L, Issue 14570, 6 April 1915, Page 7 Accessed 21 Apr 2022
10. ↑ Ancestry.com. New Zealand, Teacher and Civil Service Examinations and Licenses, 1880-1920 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2015. This collection was indexed by Ancestry World Archives Project contributors. Original data: New Zealand, Teachers Civil Service Examinations and Licences [1880–1918]. CD-ROM. Ravensbourne, Dunedin, New Zealand: Colonial CD Books. New Zealand Teachers Examinations and Licenses [1880–1920]. CD-ROM. Ravensbourne, Dunedin, New Zealand: Colonial CD Books.
    • View free Ancestry Sharing Link

    Name: Arthur Espie Porritt; Residence Year: Abt 1916; Residence Place: Wanganui; Publication Date: 29 Jan 1916; Publication Place: Wellington, New Zealand.

11. ↑ Papers Past: COLLEGIATE SCHOOL SPORTS. Wanganui Herald, Volume LII, Issue 15473, 2 April 1918, Page 8 Accessed 21 Apr 2022
12. ↑ Papers Past: FOOTBALL. Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXVI, Issue 17319, 20 June 1918, Page 6 Accessed 21 Apr 2022
13. ↑ Papers Past: RHODES SCHOLARSHIP. Evening Star, Issue 18098, 13 October 1922, Page 6 Accessed 22 Apr 2022
14. ↑ Wikipedia contributors, Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia: Rhodes Scholarship Accessed Apr 22, 2022
15. ↑ Papers Past: THIS YEAR'S RHODES SCHOLAR. Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXVI, Issue 18625, 1 November 1922, Page 8 Accessed 22 Apr 2022
16. ↑ Papers Past: MR A. E. PORRITT. RHODES SCHOLAR FAREWELLED. Evening Star, Issue 18302, 15 June 1923, Page 5 Accessed 22 Apr 2022
17. ↑ Papers Past: PERSONAL ITEMS. Otago Witness, Issue 3620, 31 July 1923, Page 51 Accessed 22 Apr 2022
18. ↑ Wikipedia contributors, Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia: Magdalen College, Oxford Accessed 22 Apr 2022
19. ↑ Wikipedia contributors, Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia: Chariots of Fire Accessed 22 Apr 2022
20. ↑ ^{20.0 20.1 20.2 20.3 20.4 20.5 20.6} The Peerage: Arthur Espie Porritt, Baron Porritt M, #552076, b. 10 August 1900, d. 1 January 1994 Accessed 24 Apr 2022
21. ↑ Ancestry.com. Westminster, London, England, Church of England Marriages and Banns, 1754-1935 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2020. Original data: Westminster, Anglican Parish Registers, City of Westminster Archives, Westminster, London, England. Church of England Parish Registers; Reference: STM/PR/6/82
    • View free Ancestry Sharing Link

    Arthur Espie Porritt (25) marriage to Mary Frances Wynne Bond on 15 Jul 1926 in St Martin-In-The-Fields, London, Westminster, England.

22. ↑ Amazon: Athletics Hardcover – 1 Jan. 1929 by D.G.A. Lowe & A.E. Porritt (Author) Accessed 6 May 2022
23. ↑ Amazon: The Essentials of Modern Surgery Hardcover – January 1, 1938 by Handfield-Jones, R.M., M.C., M.S., F.R.C.S., and A.E. Porritt, M.A. M.Ch., (Author) Accessed 6 May 2022
24. ↑ Ancestry.com. 1939 England and Wales Register [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2018. Original data: Crown copyright images reproduced by courtesy of TNA, London England. 1939 Register (Series RG101), The National Archives, Kew, London, England. 1939 Register; Reference: Rg 101/423k. Accessed 22 Apr 2022
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    Arthur E Porritt (born 10 Aug 1900), married, Surgeon, at St Mary's Hospital Praed St., Paddington, London, England.

25. ↑ Ancestry.com. England, Andrews Newspaper Index Cards, 1790-1976 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010. Original data: Andrews Collection. Institute of Heraldic and Genealogical Studies, Canterbury, Kent, England.
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    Arthur E Porritt marriage to Kathleen Mary Peck on 20 Dec 1946 in London, England.

26. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/189091892/arthur-espie-porritt : accessed 21 April 2022), memorial page for Lord Arthur Espie Porritt (10 Aug 1900–1 Jan 1994), Find A Grave: Memorial #189091892, citing Karori Cemetery and Crematorium, Wellington, Wellington City, Wellington, New Zealand ; Maintained by Cosmo (contributor 49300889).
27. ↑ Britannica: Baronet Accessed 6 May 2022

• Office of the Governor-General: Sir Arthur Espie Porritt, Bt., GCMG, GCVO, CBE Accessed 6 May 2022

Acknowledgements

• Biography written by the daughter of his school-friend Margaret Bailey Allison