Charles Dundas (colonial administrator)

The Honourable Sir Charles Cecil Farquharson Dundas, KCMG, OBE (6 June 1884^[1] – 10 February 1956^[2]) was a British colonial administrator who served as Governor of the Bahamas from 1937 to 1940 and Governor of Uganda from 1940 to 1944. He was the fifth son of Charles Saunders Dundas, 6th Viscount Melville.^[2][3]

Career

Early career

He first served as Assistant District Commissioner in the British East Africa Protectorate in Mombasa from 1908.^[1][4] This was followed by a posting to Nairobi, then a secondment with the Indian Army in German East Africa during World War.^[1]

Tanzania

In 1921, Dundas became district commissioner of the Moshi area in Tanzania^[1] and Secretary for Native Affairs about 1925.^[1] In 1926, he was made a member of the Executive Council of the Tanganyika Territory.^[5]

In 1930, he founded the Kilimanjaro Native Cooperative Union.^{[citation needed]} He popularised the area's coffee production,^{[citation needed]} and was given the title Wasaoye-o-Wachagga (Elder of the Chagga).^[1]

Dundas became very popular and respected during his stay at Moshi. When he left Moshi for the last time by train to Tanga and ship to Dar es Salaam, the Chagga reputedly hired a band to accompany him on board the ship and serenade him on his journey. As the boat sailed into Dar es Salaam harbour, the band apparently struck up God Save the King.^{[citation needed]}

Bahamas

Dundas served as Colonial Secretary of the Bahamas from April 1929 to July 1934.^[2][6]

Later, Dundas was Governor of the Bahamas; appointed in 1937,^[7] he was succeeded by the Duke of Windsor in 1940.^[2][8]

Uganda

Dundas then served as Governor of Uganda.^[4]

Awards and Honours

Dundas was knighted in 1938.^[9] In 1942, he was also appointed a knight of the Venerable Order of the Hospital St John of Jerusalem.^[10]

The settlement of Dundas Town in Marsh Harbour, Bahamas was named for him.

Death

Dundas died on 10 February 1956, aged 71, while he was at the barber.^[4] He was survived by his wife Anne, Lady Dundas^[4] and one sister. A funeral service was held at Holy Trinity Church, Sloane Square.^[11] Dundas was buried in Kensal Green Cemetery.

Bibliography

• Sir Charles Dundas, Kilimanjaro and Its Peoples, 1924
• Sir Charles Dundas, African Crossroads, 1955