THE LORD PROVOST

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26640, 10 December 1947, Page 4

THE LORD PROVOST

CAREER OF SIR JOHN FALCONER SERVICE TO EDINBURGH

Edinburgh’s official representative at the centennial celebrations. Sir John Falconer, who was until last month Lord Provost of Edinburgh, has an outstanding record of service in his native city. Not the least of his activities was the zeal with which he carried out his duties as chief air raid warden for Edinburgh during the recent war, and he won the esteem of his fellow citizens by deserting his safer and more comfortable home in the suburbs to occupy quarters in the centre of the city throughout the most dangerous period of enemy activity This action, according to comment fi’om Edinburgh, is typical of the former Lord Provost, who brings the utmost enthusiasm to bear on anything to which he sets his hand. Sir John was born in 1879 at Fortrose, Ross-shire, and graduated M.A. and LL.B. at Edinburgh University. He is a partner in an old-established firm of lawyers in Edinburgh, being a Writer to the Signet. He served with the Royal Scots during the First World War, and, as well as being chief air raid warden in the last war. was chairman of Edinburgh’s Civil Defence Committee. He entered the Town Council in 1932, and was city treasurer from 1940 to 1943. He was appointed Lord Provost in 1944, and was knighted at an outdoor ceremony in Princes street in 1946. In the same year he was made an honorary doctor of laws of Edinburgh University and appointed to the French Legion' of Honour, Order of Chevalier.