Alidius Tjarda van Starkenborgh Stachouwer, Dutch lawyer and politician, Governor-General of the Dutch East Indies (d. 1978)

Jonkheer Alidius Warmoldus Lambertus Tjarda van Starkenborgh Stachouwer, born on March 7, 1888, and passing away on August 16, 1978, was a distinguished Dutch nobleman and statesman whose career culminated in a pivotal, albeit tragic, role in the history of the Netherlands East Indies.

A Legacy Defined: Last Colonial Governor-General

Hailing from an aristocratic background, as indicated by his inherited "Jonkheer" title, Tjarda van Starkenborgh Stachouwer dedicated his life to public service within the Dutch administration. His journey led him to the highest echelons of colonial governance, ultimately earning him the profound distinction, and the immense burden, of serving as the very last colonial Governor-General of the Netherlands East Indies, a vast and culturally rich archipelago now known as Indonesia.

The Tumult of War and Surrender

His significant tenure reached a dramatic and somber conclusion amidst the tumultuous events of World War II. On March 9, 1942, facing overwhelming odds and the relentless advance of Japanese forces, Tjarda van Starkenborgh Stachouwer was compelled to accept Japan's uncompromising demands for an unconditional surrender of the islands. This profound act of capitulation marked the effective end of Dutch colonial rule in the region and ushered in a challenging period of Japanese occupation. Following this historic and difficult surrender, the Governor-General himself was taken captive, an unfortunate personal consequence of the broader global conflict and the fall of a colonial empire.