CAIGER, GEORGE (1903–1991), He Was Promoted to Major in December Teacher, Author, Broadcaster, and Army Officer, 1943
C CAIGER, GEORGE (1903–1991), He was promoted to major in December teacher, author, broadcaster, and army officer, 1943. In June 1945 he relocated with ATIS was born on 9 January 1903 in Brisbane, only to Manila, Philippines. A skilled linguist, surviving child of English-born parents Jasper he was one of a small group entrusted to Stoneman Caiger, Anglican priest, and his wife translate documents and accompany Japanese Edith Maud Mary, née Godwin, a former nurse. emissaries during surrender negotiations George’s twin brother, Harry, died in infancy. commencing on 19 August. Later that month In 1908 the family returned to Britain. George he was part of the advance party to enter Japan. was educated at Denstone College (1914–22), The American head of ATIS, Colonel Sidney Staffordshire, and St John’s College, Oxford, Mashbir, commended his abilities, noting where he completed a second-class honours that General Douglas MacArthur [q.v.15] had degree in English (1925). He played rugby made ‘important decisions’ based on Caiger’s for St John’s and the university and served as ‘extensive knowledge and understanding of a lieutenant in the East Lancashire Regiment Japan and the Japanese people’ (NAA B883). of the Territorial Army. Returning to Sydney in late 1945, In 1925 Caiger joined the teaching staff Caiger transferred to the Reserve of Officers of Sedbergh School in Yorkshire. Three years on 18 December. Hoping that his wartime later he took leave of absence to teach English, experience would lead to a diplomatic career, French, and economics at The Armidale he applied to the Department of External School, New South Wales, Australia.
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