Douglas James Smyth Crozier

Douglas James Smyth Crozier, CMG (20 March 1908 – 17 November 1976) was an Irish teacher, civil servant and the Director of Education of Hong Kong.

Biography Crozier was born in Ballinamallard, Ireland (now part of Northern Ireland) on 20 March 1908. He arrived in Hong Kong around the 1930s as a history teacher at the Hong Kong government's Education Department and taught at the King's College. He was a founding member of the Hong Kong Teacher's Association.

He was a Captain in the 2nd Battery of the Hong Kong Volunteer Defence Corps. He was captured by the Japanese on Christmas Day, 1941 after fighting at Stanley during the Battle of Hong Kong, and was held as a prisoner of war. His wife and children were evacuated to Sydney. He spent four years imprisoned at the Argyle Street Officers' Camp, and then at Shamshuipo. He died in Tandragee, Northern Ireland on 17 November 1976 at the age of 68.

Honours For his contributions to the development of Hong Kong's education system, Queen Elizabeth II appointed Crozier a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George in 1957. He was also awarded an honorary degree by the University of Hong Kong in 1961. In 1969 he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws from the Chinese University of Hong Kong.

Personal life Crozier met his wife Ann, a native Londoner, at the University College London, where they were both studying education. They had three children, Julian and Corin and Douglas Jr.