Transcript of interview: Derek Tonkin, 2000

File

Reference Code: GBR/0014/DOHP 72

Scope and Contents

From the Fonds:

The programme comprises transcripts of interviews with senior diplomats.

Dates

Creation: 2000

Creator

Tonkin, Derek, 1929 (diplomat) (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

From the Fonds:

The collection is open for consultation by researchers using Churchill Archives Centre, Churchill College, Cambridge.

Material in this collection is open to researchers unless otherwise marked in the catalogue.

Biographical / Historical

Derek Tonkin was born on 30 December 1929, the son of Henry James Tonkin and Norah Wearing. He was educated at High Pavement Grammar School, Nottingham, and St Catherine’s Society, Oxford. In 1953 he married Doreen Rooke; they have one son and two daughters (and one son deceased).

After completing his National Service (1948-49), Tonkin joined the Foreign Office in 1952. His diplomatic career included: Warsaw [Poland], (1955); Bangkok [Thailand], (1957); Phnom Penh [Cambodia], (1961); FO, (1963); Warsaw, (1966); Wellington [New Zealand], (1968); Foreign and Commonwealth Office, (1972); East Berlin [Germany], 1976; Ambassador to Vietnam, (1980-82); Minister, Pretoria [South Africa], (1983-86); Ambassador to Thailand, and concurrently to Laos, (1986-89).