Transcript of interview: Sir Roger Tomkys, 2015

File

Reference Code: GBR/0014/DOHP 152

Scope and Contents

From the Fonds:

The programme comprises transcripts of interviews with senior diplomats.

Dates

Creation: 2015

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

Roger Tomkys was born 15 March 1937, son of William Arthur and Edith Tomkys. He was educated at Bradford Grammar School and Balliol College, University of Oxford, and in 1963, married Margaret Jean Abbey, having one son and one daughter.

Tomkys entered the Foreign Service in 1960, and his diplomatic career included: MECAS, 1960; 3rd Secretary, Amman [Jordan], 1962; 2nd Secretary, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, 1964; 1st Secretary and Head of Chancery, Benghazi [Libya], 1967; Planning Staff, FCO, 1969; Head of Chancery, Athens [Greece], 1972; Counsellor, seconded to Cabinet Office, 1975; Head of Near East and North Africa Department, FCO, 1977-80; Counsellor, Rome [Italy], 1980-81; Ambassador: to Bahrain, 1981-84; to Syria, 1984-86; Assistant Under Secretary of State and Principal Finance Officer, FCO, 1987-89; Deputy Under Secretary of State, FCO, 1989-90; High Commissioner, Kenya, 1990-92. Following his retirement from the Diplomatic Service, Tomkys was Master of Pembroke College, University of Cambridge, 1992-2004.