George Sandford (colonial administrator)
Sir George Ritchie Sandford, KBE, CMG (9 November 1892 – 17 September 1950) was a British colonial administrator, serving most of his 35 year career in East Africa.
He was Governor of the Bahamas from 17 February 1950[1][2] until his death in office on 17 September 1950.[2][3]
Early life and education[edit]
Sandford was born on 9 November 1892 at Roselands, Ambleside, Westmorland, England.[3][4][5]
He attended Christ's Hospital school and Queens' College, Cambridge.[3][4][5]
Career[edit]
Earlier career in Kenya[edit]
He joined the colonial service in 1915,[4] first serving in the East Africa Protectorate (now Kenya) as an Assistant District Commissioner.[3][5][6] He resigned from his position to take on a short-lived role of editor at a local newspaper.
Studied law[edit]
Sandford went on to study law and was admitted to the Bar of England and Wales at the Inner Temple.
East Africa and Palestine[edit]
He rejoined the Colonial Service, assuming the role of clerk to the Legislative Council of Kenya in 1926 and becoming Deputy Treasurer in 1931.[3]
In 1936, Sandford was posted to Tanganyika, where he assumed the role of Treasurer. He was appointed Financial Secretary in Tanganyika in 1937 and Financial Secretary in Palestine from 1940 to 1944.[3][5]
Sandford returned to Tanganyika in 1944 as Chief Secretary, and became the Administrator for the East African Commission in 1948.[3][4]
Governor of the Bahamas[edit]
Knighted in 1947,[3] Sandford was appointed Governor of the Bahamas on 17 February 1950, however, he passed away unexpectedly after only seven months in office.[6]
Death and legacy[edit]
Sandford died on 17 September 1950, aged 57[3] after complaining of indigestion.[6] His funeral was held that same day at Christ Church Cathedral, Nassau and he was interred at St Matthew's Anglican Church Cemetery.[1][2][6]
Sandford was survived by his wife Lady Sandford, and his brother, Brigadier Francis Rossall Sandford.[3]
He was succeed in office by Major General Robert Arthur Ross Neville.
References[edit]
- ^ a b "Successor takes top Bahamian job". Tampa Daily Times. Tampa, Florida, USA. 18 September 1950. p. 5. Retrieved 19 August 2023.
- ^ a b c "Governor of Bahamas Dies". The Palm Beach Post. West Palm Beach, Florida, USA. 18 September 1950. p. 1. Retrieved 19 August 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Obituaries: Sir George Sandford, Bahamas Governor". New York Times. 18 September 1950. p. 23. Retrieved 19 August 2023.
- ^ a b c d "Governor Dies in Chair". The Guardian. Manchester, England. 18 September 1950. p. 5. Retrieved 19 August 2023.
- ^ a b c d "Governor Dies in Chair". Daily Herald. London, England. 18 September 1950. p. 2. Retrieved 19 August 2023.
- ^ a b c d "G R Sandford, Governor of Bahamas, dies". The State. Columbia, South Carolina. 18 September 1950. pp. 3–B. Retrieved 19 August 2023.
External links[edit]
- Alumni of Queens' College, Cambridge
- 1892 births
- 1950 deaths
- Governors of the Bahamas
- Knights Commander of the Order of the British Empire
- Companions of the Order of St Michael and St George
- People educated at Christ's Hospital
- Members of the Inner Temple
- Colonial Service officers
- Tanganyika (territory) people
- People from Mandatory Palestine