Colonial Secretary of the Gambia

The Colonial Secretary of the Gambia was a key role in the colonial government of the Gambia Colony and Protectorate. Often seen as the deputy to the governor or colonial administrator, Colonial Secretaries often stepped in as acting governors through the Gambia's colonial history. The Colonial Secretary was in charge of administration, and was often a career Colonial Office official.

Colonial Secretary of the Gambia
Gambia Colony and Protectorate
Member ofExecutive Council, Legislative Council
Reports toGovernor of the Gambia
Formation1831
First holderAndrew Hunter
Abolished1965

Role

In the British Empire, Colonial Secretaries served as the chief administrative officers of the colonies to which they were posted. They were responsible for conducting the business of the Governor with the various Government Departments and also with the colonists, collectively and individually. The Colonial Secretary was a member of both the Executive and Legislative Councils. Often, Colonial Secretaries became responsible for a variety of functions, including customs, post offices, shipping, harbours, prisons, and natives. The Colonial Secretary often also dealt directly with England.[1] The role was often quite flexible depending on the Governor, as the Colonial Office was reluctant to define the role precisely, fearing it would become redundant.[2]

List of Colonial Secretaries
No. Name Governor served Took Office Left Office Ref.
1 Andrew Hunter 1831 1837
2 Thomas Lewis Ingram 1837 1849
3 Daniel Robertson 1849 c. 1865
4 Charles O'Brien 1910 1912
5 Herbert Henniker-Heaton 1917 1921 [3]
6 Charles Rufus Marshal Workman CBE 1921 1931 [3]
7 Godfrey C. B. Parish FRGS 1931 1934 [3]
8 Captain Harris R. Oke CMG OBE 1934 1941 [3]
9 Sir Kenneth W. Blackburne GCMG GBE 1941 1943 [3]
10 George D. Chamberlain CMG 1943 1947 [3]
11 Edward R. Ward CMG 1947 1952 [3]
12 Sir Alexander N. A. Waddell KCMG DSC 1952 1956 [3]
13 Kenneth G. S. Smith CMG 1956 1962 [3]

References
  1. "Colonial Secretary's Office Records". State Records Office of Western Australia. Retrieved 18 May 2018.
  2. Laidlaw, Zoe (2006). Colonial Connections 1815-1845: Patronage, the Information Revolution and Colonial Government. Manchester: Manchester University Press. pp. 100–101.
  3. "Gambia Colonial Governors since 1900" (PDF). Gulabin.com. Retrieved 15 July 2018.
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