Major Major most commonly refers to: * Major (rank), a military rank * Academic major, an academic discipline to which an undergraduate student formally commits * People named Major, including given names, surnames, nicknames * Major and minor in musi ...

Fernley Douglas Webber (12 March 1918 – 1991), sometimes referred to as Awang F.D. Webber, was a British diplomat and formerly the British High Commissioner to Brunei.

Early life

Webber was born on 12 March 1918, and educated at Cotham Secondary School in

Bristol Bristol () is a City status in the United Kingdom, cathedral city, unitary authority area and ceremonial county in South West England, the most populous city in the region. Built around the River Avon, Bristol, River Avon, it is bordered by t ...

. He obtained his Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree at

Jesus College, Cambridge Jesus College is a Colleges of the University of Cambridge, constituent college of the University of Cambridge. Jesus College was established in 1496 on the site of the twelfth-century Benedictine nunnery of St Radegund's Priory, Cambridge, St ...

, and began work with the

Colonial Office The Colonial Office was a government department of the Kingdom of Great Britain and later of the United Kingdom, first created in 1768 from the Southern Department to deal with colonial affairs in North America (particularly the Thirteen Colo ...

in 1939. Amid the outbreak of the

Second World War World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...

, he served in the military from 1940 until 1945, earning the rank of Major. After his time in the military, he worked as the Private secretary to Minister of State Colonial Office, as Assistant Secretary in 1950, as Establishment Officer Colonial Office from 1950 to 1958, and lastly the Head of East Africa Department Colonial Office from 1958 to 1965.

Diplomatic career

Webber's diplomatic career began after being appointed as the Deputy High Commissioner to Kuching in 1965. On 1 August 1965, he became the new high commissioner to Brunei, replacing Edgar O. Liard. During his time in Brunei, he attended key events such as the wedding of Princess Nor'ain Bolkiah in August 1967. Early that year in February, he gave the reassurance of the British government being keen on seeing positive constitutional changes in Brunei. In conjunction to the

1967 Birthday Honours The Queen's Birthday Honours 1967 were appointments by many of the Commonwealth realms of Queen Elizabeth II to various orders and honours to reward and highlight good works by citizens of those countries, on the occasion of the official birthda ...

, he awarded the

Order of the British Empire The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry, rewarding valuable service in a wide range of useful activities. It comprises five classes of awards across both civil and military divisions, the most senior two o ...

Commander (CBE) to Brunei Financial Officer, John Lee. Notably, Webber was appointed as Brunei's Scout Chief. He was transferred to the British High Commission in Canberra in October 1967.

Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III Omar Ali Saifuddien Sa'adul Khairi Waddien (Jawi script, Jawi: ; 23 September 1914 – 7 September 1986) was the 28th Sultan of Brunei, reigning from 1950 until his abdication in 1967 to his oldest son, Hassanal Bolkiah. Over the course of his ...

was worried when the

Commonwealth Office The secretary of state for commonwealth affairs was a British Cabinet minister responsible for dealing with the United Kingdom's relations with members of the Commonwealth of Nations (its former colonies). The minister's department was the Common ...

informed him that F.D. Webber would be moving to Australia. The Sultan wanted him to stay because he was concerned that if the High Commissioner changed, the Commonwealth Office would adopt a much stricter stance regarding Brunei's constitutional progress. Consequently, the Sultan's attempt in revoking Webber's transfer was unsuccessful.

Death

Webber passed away in 1991.

Honours

Fernley Webber was given the honorary title of ''Yang Terutama'' (His Excellency) by the

Government of Brunei The Government of Brunei is the union government created by the constitution of Brunei where by the Sultan of Brunei is both head of state and head of government ( Prime Minister of Brunei). Executive power is exercised by the government. Brune ...

. He would go on to earn the following awards; * UK Order St-Michael St-George ribbon

Order of St Michael and St George The Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George is a British order of chivalry founded on 28 April 1818 by George, Prince of Wales (the future King George IV), while he was acting as prince regent for his father, King George III ...

Companion (CMG; 1959) *

Territorial Decoration __NOTOC__ The Territorial Decoration (TD) was a military medal of the United Kingdom awarded for long service in the Territorial Force and its successor, the Army Reserve (United Kingdom), Territorial Army. This award superseded the Volunteer O ...

(TD; 1942) *

Military Cross The Military Cross (MC) is the third-level (second-level until 1993) military decoration awarded to officers and (since 1993) Other ranks (UK), other ranks of the British Armed Forces, and formerly awarded to officers of other Commonwealth of ...

(MC; 1954)

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Webber, Fernley 1918 births 1991 deaths Alumni of Jesus College, Cambridge Companions of the Order of St Michael and St George Recipients of the Military Cross High commissioners of the United Kingdom to Brunei