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.