Walter Crocker


Sir Walter Russell Crocker was an Australian diplomat, writer and war veteran.

Life and career

Crocker was born in Broken Hill, New South Wales, the eldest son of Robert Crocker and Alma Bray. He served in World War II with the British Army, becoming a lieutenant colonel.
He was ambassador or high commissioner to eleven countries, including India, Indonesia, Canada, Italy, Belgium, Nepal, the Netherlands, Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda.
Crocker was a Lieutenant-Governor of South Australia for more than nine years. He had two sons, Robert and Christopher.

Books

Crocker authored a well-received biography of Jawaharlal Nehru titled .

Awards

Crocker was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1955 while Australian Ambassador to Indonesia.
He was later promoted to become a Knight Commander of the Order in December 1977, in recognition of his service to the public.