Morrice James, Baron Saint Brides

John Morrice Cairns James, Baron Saint Brides, GCMG, CVO, MBE, PC (30 April 1916 – 26 November 1989), normally known as Morrice James, was a senior British diplomat. He served as British High Commissioner to Pakistan, India and Australia, and was known as a specialist in the affairs of the Indian Subcontinent.^[1]

The Right Honourable The Lord Saint Brides GCMG CVO MBE PC
British High Commissioner to Australia
In office 1971–1976
Monarch	Elizabeth II
Prime Minister	Edward Heath Harold Wilson
Preceded by	Sir Charles Johnston
Succeeded by	Sir Donald Tebbit
British High Commissioner to India
In office 1968–1971
Monarch	Elizabeth II
Prime Minister	Harold Wilson Edward Heath
Preceded by	John Freeman
Succeeded by	Sir Terence Garvey
British High Commissioner to Pakistan
In office 1961–1965
Monarch	Elizabeth II
Prime Minister	Harold Macmillan Alec Douglas-Home Harold Wilson
Preceded by	Sir Alexander Symon
Succeeded by	Sir Cyril Pickard
Personal details
Born	(1916-04-30)30 April 1916
Died	26 November 1989(1989-11-26) (aged 73)
Nationality	British
Alma mater	Balliol College, Oxford
Occupation	Diplomat
Military service
Allegiance	United Kingdom
Branch/service	Royal Marines
Rank	Lieutenant Colonel
Battles/wars	Second World War
Awards	Member of the Order of the British Empire

Early life and Second World War

James was born on 30 April 1916 and was educated at Bradfield College and Balliol College, Oxford. He joined the Dominions Office in London in 1939, and was Private Secretary to the Permanent Under-Secretary of State from April to August 1940. In August 1940 he joined the Royal Navy as an Ordinary Seaman, was commissioned in the Royal Marines in February of the following year, and ended the war as a lieutenant colonel.

Career

James returned to the Dominions Office (which merged with the India Office in 1947 to form the Commonwealth Relations Office) in 1945, and served in South Africa, London, and Pakistan, where he headed the Deputy High Commissions in both Lahore and Karachi during the 1950s. He then served as Deputy High Commissioner in New Delhi before returning to Pakistan as High Commissioner from 1962 to 1965. From 1968 to 1971 he served once more in New Delhi, as High Commissioner, and was appointed High Commissioner to Australia in 1971. He retired from the Diplomatic Service in 1976.^[1]

Honours

James was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 1944,^[2] a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG) in 1957,^[3] a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (CVO) in 1961,^[4] he was promoted to Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG) in 1962,^[5] and to Knight Grand Cross (GCMG) in 1975.^[6] He was appointed King of Arms of the Order of St Michael and St George in 1975.^[7] He was appointed to the Privy Council in 1966, and was created a life peer as Baron Saint Brides, of Hasguard in the County of Dyfed on 8 February 1977.^[8]

Arms

Coat of arms of Morrice James, Baron Saint Brides

Crest Issuant from the Crown of a King of Arms an Owl proper Escutcheon Azure the Cross section of a Nautilus Shell proper on a Chief Or a Karachi Lateen-Rigged Dhow between two Dolphins Azure; Supporters Dexter: a Sea Horse (hippocampus) Azure gorged with a Naval Coronet Or supporting the Staff of the King of Arms of the Order of St Michael and St George proper; Sinister: a Lion crowned with an Ancient Crown Or gorged with a Wreath Azure Or Vert and Gules supporting a like Staff Motto WHAT WE GAVE WE HAVE Orders Order of St Michael and St George circlet (Appointed GCMG 1975)