Malcolm Struan Tonnochy

Malcolm Struan Tonnochy (Chinese: 杜老誌) was an Anglo-Indian colonial major official serving in British India and in Hong Kong. He has been an acting Governor of Hong Kong in March 1882.

Early years

Tonnochy was born and Bengal, India in December 1841 to Thomas Tonnochy (a colonial collector in Bulundshahrand) and Caroline Kemball. He was of Scottish and Indian extraction, his paternal grandfather was Scot (Bengal Army Sergeant Major Thomas Tonnochie) and paternal grandmother Indian.

Colonial Service in Hong Kong

In 1862 Tonnochy left India to work in Hong Kong's civil service joining other notable colonial officials like Cecil Clementi Smith. He worked his way up from cade to hold posts including the acting Colonial Treasurer (when James Russell was absent), acting Colonial Secretary and as judge in the Royal Navy's Vice Admiralty Court of Hong Kong from 1879 to 1882. From 1876 to 1882 he was Superintendent of Victoria Gaol (under Hong Kong Police 1876-1879 and Hong Kong Correctional Services from 1879 to 1882).

Death

Tonnochy was unmarried and died at age 41 in after serving as acting Administrator of Hong Kong in early 1882. Tonnochy is buried at Hong Kong Cemetery.

Honours

Unlike most colonial officials in Hong Kong at the time, Tonnochy was never honoured with any titles. The only place that bears his name is Tonnochy Road in Wan Chai. Club Tonnochy and Tonnochy Night Club are named and located on the street named for him.