The Son of JWW Birch, the 6th British Resident of Perak
Most Malaysians know who James Wheeler Woodford Birch (JWW Birch) was, but few know who the individual named Ernest Woodford Birch actually was.
From the name alone, we can tell they are from the same family, and for your information, loyal readers of orangperak.com, Ernest Woodford Birch was actually the son of
James Wheeler Woodford Birch (JWW Birch)
. Sir Ernest Woodford Birch was the eldest son of
James Wheeler Woodford Birch (JWW Birch)
. He was born in Trincomalee, Ceylon, on April 29, 1857, now known as Sri Lanka. At the age of 10, he was sent to England to live with his grandfather, Rev. James Woodford Birch, who was the father of
James Wheeler Woodford Birch (JWW Birch)
.
Ernest Woodford Birch Rev. James Woodford Birch, father of
James Wheeler Woodford Birch (JWW Birch)
, was a vicar at All Saints, Hertford. In 1882, the eldest son of
James Wheeler Woodford Birch (JWW Birch)
married a young woman named Margaret Niven and later moved to Singapore to become the Director of the Botanical Gardens there. Sir Ernest Woodford Birch and Lady Margaret Niven were blessed with two sons and four daughters. In January 1888, Sir Ernest Woodford Birch was transferred to Melaka to carry out land policy operations for Sir William Maxwell. He was also appointed as the District Officer in Alor Gajah and Jasin, despite facing opposition from the local population, as many still remembered the story of his father,
James Wheeler Woodford Birch (JWW Birch)
, who was assassinated in Pasir Salak, Perak, about 13 years earlier. Learning from what happened to his father due to his own actions in rashly interfering with Malay customs and imposing unreasonable taxes, Sir Ernest Woodford Birch proved to be much wiser in taking steps to win the hearts of the people in Melaka. He established a new system by imposing fair taxes, and revenue for Melaka was said to have increased under his supervision.
Ernest Woodford Birch delivering an appreciation speech In 1890, the eldest son of this couple drowned at Tanjung Kling, Melaka. At that time, the eldest grandson of
James Wheeler Woodford Birch (JWW Birch)
was about seven years old. In 1892, Sir William Maxwell directed Sir Ernest Woodford Birch to become the acting British Resident of Selangor and Perak, and in January 1893, he was appointed as the Secretary to the Perak Government. While serving as the acting British Resident in Perak—at a time when the 5th British Resident was Sir John Pickersgill Rodger—he conducted the first State Council meeting, which he chaired himself. The first State Council meeting was held on November 2, 1895, which was the same date as the death of his father,
James Wheeler Woodford Birch (JWW Birch)
20 years after November 2, 1875. In February 1904, he was appointed as the 6th British Resident of Perak, indirectly holding the position once held by his father,
James Wheeler Woodford Birch (JWW Birch)
, who was the first British Resident in Perak. While administering the state of Perak, he reorganized much of the administrative structure and established various clubs, associations, and sports in Perak.
For your information, loyal readers of orangperak.com, Sir Ernest Woodford Birch once had a younger brother who was the second son of
James Wheeler Woodford Birch (JWW Birch)
. His brother was named Reginald Birch, born on September 3, 1861, and passed away at the age of 4 on September 22, 1865. Another son of Sir Ernest Woodford Birch, named Patrick, is said to have followed in the footsteps of his father and grandfather. He also served in the Indian Civil Service. Sir Ernest Woodford Birch passed away on December 17, 1929, in Battle, East Sussex, England, due to pneumonia.
