Charles Roberts Howitt


Charles Roberts Howitt CMG was a British colonial administrator who served in Malaya.

Early life and education

Howitt was born on 5 November 1894 in Cumberland. He was educated at Carlisle Grammar School, and Queen's College, Oxford, where in 1920 he received his BA.

Career

During the First World War, Howitt served with the Royal Fusiliers as second lieutenant, and the Border Regiment.
In 1920, after graduating, he joined the Malay civil service as a cadet, and was posted to Johore where he served as Land Officer, Second Class Magistrate, Collector of Land revenue, and Assistant Adviser. From 1925 to 1935, he served in Singapore, Malacca and Penang where he worked in various posts.
From 1935 to 1937, he was British Adviser in Perlis. In 1938, he was appointed Malayan Establishment Officer, and in 1940, was appointed Under-Secretary of the Straits Settlements. In 1948, he was Acting Chief Secretary and acted as spokesman for the government on the outbreak of the Malayan Emergency. In 1954, he was appointed Chairman of the Public Service Board, Malaya, and three years later served on the Public Services Commission and the Judicial and Legal Commission, Malaya. He retired in 1963.

Personal life

Howitt married E. Vera in 1920, and they had two daughters.

Honours

Howitt was appointed Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George in the 1957 Birthday Honours.