In 1888, Lemon joined the civil service of the
Straits Settlements, and began his career as Private Secretary to the Governor. In 1893, he was appointed Acting District Officer, South Malacca, and then spent two years in
Singapore as Acting Assistant Colonial Secretary and Acting Third Magistrate. From 1895–6, he was Acting District Officer in
Malacca and
Province Wellesley, and in 1898 was appointed Acting Second Magistrate and Assistant Postmaster-General,
Penang. From 1902–3, he occupied the posts of Second Assistant Colonial Secretary, and Acting Collector of Land Revenue and Registrar of Deeds, Penang. In 1906, he was called to the Bar, Lincoln's Inn, and returned to Singapore where he was appointed Acting Assistant Colonial Secretary, and Acting Assistant to the Clerk of the Courts. In 1910, he went to the
Federated Malay States, and occupied the posts of Acting Legal Adviser to the Government and Under-Secretary to the Government of the FMS. In 1912, he was appointed British Resident,
Negeri Sembilan, and in 1919, British Resident,
Selangor, remaining in the post until his retirement in 1921. == Personal life ==