Walter Frederick Nutt | |
|---|---|
.jpg) | |
| Born | 1874 |
| Died | 14 November 1940 |
| Nationality | British |
| Education | Bedford Modern School |
| Known for | Managing Director of The Straits Trading Company |
Walter Frederick Nutt OBE (1874 – 14 November 1940) was Managing Director of The Straits Trading Company (1918–21),[1] at the time one of the largest tin smelting companies in the world,[2] a member of the Federal Malay States Legislative Council[3] and a prominent freemason who was District Grand Master of the Eastern Archipelago (1919–23).[4][5]
Walter Nutt was born in Kensington, London in 1874.[6] He was the son of William Henry Rothery Nutt, an official of the Bank of England, and his wife Kathleen Laura (née Bloxham).[6] Like his brothers, Arthur Nutt and Harold Nutt, he was educated as a boarder at Bedford Modern School.[6][7]
Nutt was an expatriate in Malaysia and Singapore for much of his commercial life. He was a director of several commercial concerns including the Bagan River Rubber Company [8] and Managing Director of The Straits Trading Company (1918–21). He was a member of the Federal Malay States Legislative Council.[3]
In 1918, Nutt was awarded an OBE for services in connection with war charities.[9]
In 1919, Nutt successfully speculated in the tin market on behalf of the Straits Trading Company. However, similar efforts in 1921 resulted in the company having to miss a semiannual dividend for the first time in its history. Nutt was forced to resign in January 1922.[10]
Nutt was a prominent Freemason becoming District Grand Master of the Eastern Archipelago (1919–23)[4] He was also the first Commodore of the Republic of Singapore Yacht Club.[11]
On 16 May 1905, Nutt married Gertrude Isabel Cowper at St Andrew's Cathedral, Singapore.[12] Gertrude Nutt was an artist and the portrait she painted of her husband in full masonic regalia is included in the BBC’s Your Painting series.[13]
On 27 February 1937, Gertrude Nutt died and Walter Nutt died three years later, on 14 November 1940, following an operation in London.[1][14] Walter and Gertrude Nutt were survived by two daughters.[1]