Frederic Metcalfe

Sir Frederic William Metcalfe KCB (4 December 1886 – 3 June 1965) was a British public servant. He was a former Clerk of the House of Commons and first Speaker of the House of Representatives of Nigeria.^[1]

Sir Frederic Metcalfe KCB
Clerk of the House of Commons
In office 1948–1954
Preceded by	Sir Gilbert Campion
Succeeded by	Sir Edward Fellowes
1st Speaker of the House of Representatives of Nigeria
In office 12 January 1955 – 1959
Preceded by	Position established
Succeeded by	Jaja Wachuku
Personal details
Born	Fredric William Metcalfe (1886-12-04)4 December 1886
Died	3 June 1965(1965-06-03) (aged 78)
Citizenship	United Kingdom
Nationality	British
Political party	None
Spouse	Helen Goodman
Alma mater	Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge
Military service
Allegiance	United Kingdom
Branch/service	British Army
Years of service	1914–1919
Unit	Rifle Brigade
Battles/wars	World War I

Early life

Metcalfe was born in 1886 to the family of W.P. Metcalfe of Ceylon and Stone Hall, Oxted. He had his early education at Wellington and Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge and later became an honorary fellow of the college.^[2]

Career

Military service

During World War I, Metcalfe served with the army from 1914 to 1919^[3] he served with the 6th Special Reserve Battalion of the Rifle Brigade.

Parliamentary

In 1919, Metcalfe gained appointment as an Assistant Clerk in the Department of the Clerk of the House of Commons, he was in the position until 1930 before he became Second Clerk Assistant. He became Clerk Assistant in 1937. In 1948, he was appointed as Clerk of the House of Commons until his retirement in July 1954,^[4][5] he succeeded Lord Campion in that position.

In 1955, Metcalfe became the first Speaker of the House of Representatives of Nigeria after its inauguration on 12 January 1955 by John MacPherson.^[6]

Personal life

Metcalfe was married to Helen Goodman of Oxted.