Leslie Harold Newsom Davis

Leslie Harold Newsom Davis (6 April 1909 – 16 June 2003) was a British colonial administrator who served as Secretary for Defence to the Government of Singapore, during the 1950s.

Early life and education Davis was born on 6 April 1909, the son of Harold Newsom Davis. He was educated at Marlborough College and Trinity College, Cambridge where he received his BA in 1930 and MA in 1946.

Career Davis joined the Malayan Civil Service as a cadet in 1932, and served in various posts including assistant judge in Malacca (1933). In 1937, he was seconded for service under the Government of Johore. From 1938 to 1940, he served as private secretary to the governor and high commissioner, who was Sir Shenton Thomas. During the Second World War, he was attached to 22nd Indian Infantry Brigade as Liaison Officer, and in December 1941 fought in the Malayan campaign, and was interned as a POW by the Japanese in Singapore from 1942 to 1945. Secretary to the Member for Education Federation of Malaya (1951–52), and Member for Industrial and Social Relations (1952–53). In 1954, he was charged by the Singapore government to administer the new national service scheme, and on the first day of it coming into force on 6 April 1954, 1,225 mostly Malay men registered for national service. In December 1954, he reported that the government had refused permission for P.V.Sharma to return to Singapore. Formerly General Secretary of the Singapore Teachers' Union, Sharma had been detained in Singapore for over two years under the Emergency Regulations and was living in India, having been released on the condition that he did not return to the Colony.

In 1955, Davis was appointed Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Communications and Works, Singapore. In 1957, he was given notice of dismissal under the Malayanisation programme, and was offered an appointment as Deputy President of Singapore City Council, which he declined. The following year he became the Special Representative of the Rubber Growers’ Association in Malaya, remaining in the role until 1963.