Caldecott was a shorts and sarong Governor

Ref. HAJ Hulugalle’s piece on Govenor Caldecott (SI Mar. 24) Sir Andrew was indeed a remarkable man. His private secretary, John O’Regan, recounts how, unlike most British Governors, Caldecott welcomed informality. On hot days he discarded his tie and appeared in the office in shorts.

He did his paperwork in the cool of the morning and would walk from his bedroom in Queen’s House to the office at 6am wearing a sarong and a baju (a Malayan shirt). His informality may be one reason why he had reasonable relations with most Sri Lankan politicians.

Dr R P Fernando
19 Danetree Close
Epsom
UK