British Leeward Islands

The British Leeward Islands was a British colony from 1671 to 1958, consisting of the English (later British) overseas possessions in the Leeward Islands. It ceased to exist from 1816 to 1833, during which time it was split into two separate colonies (Antigua–Barbuda–Montserrat and Saint Christopher-Nevis-Anguilla–Virgin Islands). It was dissolved in 1958 after the separation of the British Virgin Islands, and the remaining islands became parts of the West Indies Federation.

(Federal) Colony of the Leeward Islands
1671–1816 1833–1959
Flag (1871–1952) Coat of arms (1909–1940)
Anthem: "God Save the Queen/King"
Status	Colony of the United Kingdom
Capital	St. John's, Antigua
Common languages	English (official) Antiguan and Barbudan Creole Dominican Creole French
Religion	Christianity (Anglican, Catholic, Methodist)
Government	Constitutional monarchy
Monarch
• 1671–1685 (first)	Charles II
• 1952–1959 (last)	Elizabeth II
Governor in Chief
• 1671–1683 (first)	William Stapleton
• 1956–1959 (last)	Alexander Williams
History
• Established	1671
• Divided	1816
• Reformed	1833
• Federal colony	1871
• Dominica joined	1871
• Dominica left	1940
• Joined West Indies Federation (except the British Virgin Islands)	3 January 1958
• Dissolution of the British Leeward Islands, and replaced by the British Virgin Islands	31 December 1959
Currency	Pound sterling (official) Spanish dollar Mexican peso
Preceded by Succeeded by Anguilla Antigua Barbuda Dominica Montserrat Nevis Saint Christopher Virgin Islands West Indies Federation British Virgin Islands

Leeward Islands stamp, 1922, with "Barbuda" overprint

History

The Leeward Islands was established as an English colony in 1671. In 1816, the islands were divided in two regions: Antigua, Barbuda, and Montserrat in one colony, and Saint Christopher, Nevis, Anguilla, and the Virgin Islands in the other.

The Leeward Islands were united again as a semi-federal entity in 1833, coming together until 1872 under the administration of the Governor of Antigua. The islands then became known as the Federal Colony of the Leeward Islands from 1872 to 1956. From 1833 to 1940, Dominica was part of the colony; in 1940, it was transferred to the British Windward Islands group.^[1]

On 3 January 1958, all islands except the Virgin Islands were absorbed into the West Indies Federation. The British Leeward Islands finally ceased to exist with the abolition of the office of its governor, and the elevation of the British Virgin Islands to the status of a separate crown colony, in 1960.^[2][3]

A representative Leeward Islands cricket team continues to participate in West Indian domestic cricket.

Armed forces structure in 1939

The armed forces of the colony included structures from Saint Kitts and Nevis, Montserrat, Antigua, Dominica, and British Virgin Islands.^[4]

• Saint Kitts and Nevis Defence Force
• Royal Montserrat Defence Force
• Royal Antigua Defense Force
• Dominica Defense Force

Postage stamps

Main articles: Postage stamps and postal history of the Leeward Islands and Revenue stamps of the Leeward Islands

The islands of the Leeward Islands all used postage stamps inscribed "LEEWARD ISLANDS" between 1890 and 1 July 1956, often concurrently with stamps inscribed with the colony's name. The islands also issued revenue stamps between 1882 and the 1930s.

See also

• List of governors of the Leeward Islands
• Attorney General of the Leeward Islands
• Chief Justice of the Leeward Islands
• British Windward Islands
• History of the British West Indies