Sir Gilbert Laithwaite

Sir Gilbert Laithwaite I Clongowes 1907-1911

Sir Gilbert Laithwaite (1894-1986), British diplomat, was a native of Dublin who attended Clongowes in 1907-11. He won a scholarship to Oxford University, graduating in 1914. He served with 10th Lancashire Fusiliers throughout World War I, in which he was wounded. In 1919 he became a civil servant in the India Office and for much of his career was involved at a senior level in Indian affairs. In 1936-43 he was principal secretary to the viceroy, Lord Linlithgow. Returning to England, he was successively assistant under-secretary for India, under-secretary (civil) to the war cabinet and deputy undersecretary for commonwealth relations. In 1949-51 he was British representative in Dublin, an appointment upgraded to ambassador after Ireland became a republic. In 1951-4 he was high commissioner to Pakistan, before becoming permanent under-secretary for commonwealth relations from 1955 to 1959. He was efficient, affable and industrious, with an impressive grasp of problems and a reputation for fairness. In retirement, he was president of the Royal Geographical Society and the Hakluyt Society for the publication of geographical material. He was a freeman of London, where he was master of the Tallow Chandlers’ Company in 1972-3. He served on the boards of several public companies. His public honours, included appointments as knight commander of the orders of the Bath, the Indian Empire and St Michael and St George.