Tedder, James L O

James L O Tedder was an administrator in the Solomon Islands. In February 1952 Tedder was appointed as an Administrative Officer cadet in the British Colonial Service and was posted to the Solomon Islands. In August 1954 he was sent to the Devonshire Course in Cambridge. Confirmed in his appointment in March 1955 he was posted to Kira Kira in June as District Commissioner Eastern. In June 1960 he was appointed District Commissioner Malaita while Michael M. Townsend was on leave. A posting for six months as Assistant Secretary Social Affairs followed the six months in Malaita. Then he was posted to Western District as District Commissioner for a year. He was then posted to Honiara as District Officer Guadalcanal in October then District Commissioner Central as from January 1963. In 1967 he was promoted to Administrative Officer Grade A and awarded the MBE which was conferred by the Queen in May while on a Local Government attachment to three Councils in the UK. On 1 January 1972 Tedder was appointed to the new post of Director of Information and Broadcasting from which he retired in November 1974. While serving in Honiara he was Chair of the Tourism Authority, and at times Chair of the Copra Board. He belonged to the Broadcast Advisory, the University of South Pacific, Museum, and Library Committees. While Director of Information and Broadcasting he was responsible for helping to establish the Solomon Island Museum, the Library, and facilities to ensure that researchers placed copies of their work, whether print or film, in the archives. Mr Tedder has written several books and articles on the Solomon Islands.

Solomon Islands

Colonial administrator; Broadcaster

Updated by Christine Bryan 30 April 2014

Pacific Manuscripts Bureau catalogue http://asiapacific.anu.edu.au/pambu/catalogue/