Gilbert Walter King OBE (30 June 1871 – 23 December 1937) was a British judge who served in China. His last position before retirement was as Assistant Judge of the British Supreme Court for China.

Gilbert Walter King
OBE
Registrar, British Supreme Court for China
In office
1908–1930
Preceded byJohn Douglas
Succeeded byCyril Haines
Assistant Judge, British Supreme Court for China
In office
1927–1931
Preceded byPeter Grain
Succeeded byPenrhyn Grant Jones
Personal details
Born(1871-06-30)30 June 1871
Bombay, India
Died23 December 1937(1937-12-23) (aged 66)
Reigate, England

Early life

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King was born in Bombay, India, on 30 June 1871. His father, Alfred King, was a storekeeper and then an accountant for the Great Indian Peninsula Railway. His mother, Mary, was also born in Bombay.[1] King was educated at Brighton Grammar School and London University, where he graduated with an LL.B in 1895. He then practiced as a solicitor in London.[2]

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King was appointed Assistant Clerk of the British Supreme Court for China and Corea on 1 April 1903. At that time, his elder brother, Harold King, was sitting as Acting Assistant Judge of the court. King was promoted to Registrar in 1908 and served in that position until 1927. In 1919, he re-qualified as a barrister and was called to the bar at Gray's Inn. He was awarded an OBE in 1925.[3]

In November 1927, he was appointed Assistant Judge of the court on the promotion of the then Assistant Judge, Peter Grain to Judge.[4]

Retirement and death

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King retired in 1931 and was succeeded by Penrhyn Grant Jones.

He died six years later, on 23 December 1937, at his home at Reigate, England, at the age of 66.[2]

Further reading

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  • Clark, Douglas (2015). Gunboat Justice: British and American Law Courts in China and Japan (1842-1943). Hong Kong: Earnshaw Books., Vol. 1: ISBN 978-988-82730-8-9; Vol. 2: ISBN 978-988-82730-9-6; Vol. 3: ISBN 978-988-82731-9-5

References

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  1. ^ P.D. Coates, China Consuls, - biographical information for H.F. King (King's brother), p521. 1911 Census information. www.family search.org
  2. ^ a b Obituary, The Times, 24 December 1937
  3. ^ "O.B.E. for Mr GW King", North China Herald, 18 July 1925, p27
  4. ^ North China Herald, 1 October 1927