.svg)
Bernard Ledwidge
  Thank you for being part of the Bharatpedia family! 0% transparency: ₹0 raised out of ₹100,000 (0 supporter) |
Sir Bernard Ledwidge | |
|---|---|
| British Ambassador to Israel | |
| In office 1972–1975 | |
| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Preceded by | Sir Ernest John Ward Barnes |
| Succeeded by | Anthony Elliott |
| British Ambassador to Finland | |
| In office 1969–1972 | |
| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Preceded by | Sir David Scott Fox |
| Succeeded by | Anthony Elliott |
| Personal details | |
| Born | William Bernard John Ledwidge 9 November 1915 London, England |
| Died | 20 February 1998 (aged 82) London, England |
| Spouse(s) |
|
| Alma mater | King's College, Cambridge Princeton University |
Sir Bernard Ledwidge KCMG (9 November 1915 – 20 February 1998) was a British diplomat and writer. Ledwidge served as the British Ambassador to Finland from 1969 to 1972 and the British Ambassador to Israel from 1972 to 1975. Ledwidge also served as the Chairman of the United Kingdom Committee for UNICEF from 1976 to 1989.
Early life[edit]
William Bernard John Ledwidge was born on 9 November 1915 in London, United Kingdom to Charles Ledwidge and Eileen O'Sullivan.[1][2]
Ledwidge was educated at Cardinal Vaughan School, a Roman Catholic day school in Holland Park, London.[1] Ledwidge also attended King's College, Cambridge and Princeton University.[1] Ledwidge spent time as a Commonwealth Fund Fellow from 1937 to 1939.[1]
Career[edit]
Ledwidge joined the India Office in 1939 as an Assistant Principal.
Military service[edit]
Ledwidge fought in the Second World War, joining the Royal Artillery in India in 1940.[1][2] He then joined the Indian Army in 1941, where he served until the end of the war in 1945.[1][2]
Ledwidge was appointed a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG) in 1964.[1]
Diplomatic career[edit]
Ledwidge pursued a career in international diplomacy. He worked as a diplomat in the United states, in Afghanistan and in Berlin.[2] In 1966, he was appointed Minister at the British Embassy in Paris. He remained in this position until 1969.[3]
Ambassador to Finland[edit]
Ledwidge was appointed the British Ambassador to Finland in 1969, succeeding Sir David Scott Fox.[1]
Upon leaving this appointment in 1972, Ledwidge is reported to have said "it could plausibly be argued that it is a misfortune for anybody but a Finn to spend three years in Finland, as I have just done".[4]
Ambassador to Israel[edit]
Ledwidge was appointed the British Ambassador to Israel in 1972, succeeding Anthony Elliott.[1]
Ledwidge was raised to a Knight of the Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG) in 1974.[1]
On 15 June 1975, the Israeli Foreign Minister, Yigal Allon, summoned Ledwidge to raise concern over reports of impending Anglo-Egyptian arms deals.[5]
Ledwidge left this appointment in 1975.[1]
Ledwidge was the Chairman of the United Kingdom Committee for UNICEF from 1976 to 1989.[1]
Writing[edit]
Ledwidge published his first book, a novel based on his experience in India, called "Frontiers" in 1979.[2]
In 1983, he published a biography of Charles de Gaulle. Critics noted the author's admiration for the French statesman.[3] A French translation of this book was published the following year.[6]
Death[edit]
Ledwidge died on 20 February 1998 in London, United Kingdom.[2]
Personal life[edit]
Ledwidge married his first wife, Anne Kingsley, in 1948.[1] They had two children together, a son and a daughter.[2] The marriage was dissolved in 1970.[1] Ledwidge married his second wife, Flora Groult, in 1970.[1] Ledwidge was a member of the Travellers Club and the Marylebone Cricket Club.[1] Ledwidge spoke French.[2]
Honours[edit]
Publications[edit]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 "Ledwidge, Sir (William) Bernard (John)". Who's Who. 1 December 2007. doi:10.1093/ww/9780199540884.013.U179915. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 Campbell, Alan (22 October 2011). "Obituary: Sir Bernard Ledwidge". The Independent. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Hoffman, Stanley (20 March 1983). "DE GAULLE IN AN EPIC OF HIS OWN MAKING". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 18 April 2021.
- ↑ "The parting shots of diplomats". The Times. 25 September 2010. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
- ↑ "Allon Sees British Envoy over Arms Deal Report". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. 16 June 1975. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
- ↑ Stuart, Douglas T. (1994). "CAN EUROPE SURVIVE MAASTRICHT?". Strategic Studies Institute, US Army War College.
{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires|journal=(help)
External links[edit]
- "Ledwidge, Sir (William) Bernard (John)". Who's Who. 2007.
{{cite book}}:|website=ignored (help) (subscription or UK public library membership required)
| Diplomatic posts | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by David Scott Fox |
Her Britannic Majesty's Ambassador to the Republic of Finland 1969–1972 |
Succeeded by Anthony Elliott |
| Preceded by Ernest John Ward Barnes |
Her Britannic Majesty's Ambassador to the State of Israel 1972–1975 |
Succeeded by Thomas Anthony Keith Elliott |