Gerald Reece

Sir Gerald Reece KCMG CBE DL (10 January 1897 – 14 October 1985) was a British writer and colonial administrator. He served as Governor of the British Somaliland Protectorate from 1948 until February 1954.

Sir Gerald Reece KCMG, CBE, DL
Governor and Commander-in-Chief of British Somaliland
In office 1948–1954
Preceded by	Gerald Fisher
Succeeded by	Sir Theodore Pike
Personal details
Born	(1897-01-10)10 January 1897
Died	14 October 1985(1985-10-14) (aged 88)
Citizenship	British

Early life

Gerald Recce was born in 1897 and as soon as he reached the age of eighteen, he volunteered for service in the British Army. He served on the Western Front, in France and Belgium.

On being demobilised, he qualified as a solicitor. From 1921 to 1925 he practised law in London but office life was rather dull after his war-service and he gave up the safe career for the unpredictability of colonial service.

Career

Reece began his colonial career in 1925 in Kenya Colony. In March 1925 he was appointed the Assistant District Commissioner (DC) for North Kavirondo District.^[1] This was more of a probation post, to determine his fitness for more remote and unsupervised postings and after six months he received a transfer. The new appointment was in the West Suk District of Kerio Province.^[2]

He was affiliated with the Royal African Society and authored The Horn of Africa for the Royal Institute of International Affairs in October 1954 (Vol. 30, #4, pp. 440–449 doi:10.2307/2608724).

Family

He married Alys Tracy (born 13 March 1912 - died 18 January 1995) in 1936. Alys, Lady Reece was herself awarded the MBE.