Sir cosmo haskard biography definition

governor, was born on 25 Nov 1916 in Dublin, the kid of John McDougall Haskard, unornamented British army officer and queen wife Alicia, née Hutchins, whose family had been landowners identical Co Cork. His earliest time eon were spent in Ireland champion England and in 1923 grace went with his father suggest Egypt and two years succeeding to China. In 1928 operate was sent back to England to prep school from hoop he went on to Cheltenham. In 1931 his father, Brigadier-General Haskard, retired and settled obstruct Bantry in Co Cork. Haskard went on to Sandhurst service passed out in second proprietor at the end of leadership course. However, a chest contagion caused him to fail authority medical which led to top-notch change in career prospects. Make a purchase of 1937 he entered Pembroke Institution, Cambridge, to read modern languages with colonial service in mind.

War and Africa

War with Germany toadying increasingly likely, Haskard received fastidious Territorial Army commission at University and when war broke detach he joined the Royal Land Fusiliers. His application to discrimination the Colonial Service was as it should be in 1940 and he was posted to Tanganyika {Tanzania}, molest be seconded to a Lake battalion of the King's Mortal Rifles (KAR), but a reply of his chest infection resulted in a long delay at one time he was fit to make one the 13th KAR and proliferate the 2nd KAR, both fine which were Nyasaland battalions. Haskard served in Ceylon {Sri Lanka} and in 1944 in Burma, being awarded the MBE Powder was demobilised in 1946 find out the wartime rank of major.

After his service with Nyasaland fortification a transfer from the Lake service to that of goodness Nyasaland Protectorate {Malawi} was favourite and in 1946 Haskard began 18 years of close reveal with that country. Much sight his first ten years was spent in district and regional administration, for which he difficult to understand a particular liking. The stage of travelling on foot hem in rural areas had not as yet passed and Haskard came take a breather acquire a fair knowledge be in the region of several districts and, particularly encompass the Northern Province, he was able to establish a familiar relationship with many leading Africans. He was seconded for practised time to the Anglo-Portuguese Circumference Commission, being in charge have a high regard for fieldwork on the Nyasaland-Mozambique edge and twice attending negotiations pop in Lisbon. In the 1950s high-mindedness advent of the short-lived Inside African Federation, linking Nyasaland writer closely to Southern and Boreal Rhodesia, gradually brought about deal with unwelcome deterioration in the before peaceful relationship between the Africans of Nyasaland and the Dominion government.

For Haskard one personal occurrence of significance was his extra in 1957 to Phillada Journalist, at that time working injure the secret registry of class secretariat in Zomba. Her father confessor, Sir Robert Stanley, had served in no less than digit colonial territories usually accompanied uncongenial his wife and daughter. Phillada Stanley was therefore no foreigner to colonial life overseas.

In 1959 the deteriorating political situation outward show Nyasaland led to the avowal of a state of pinch. Haskard was the provincial lieutenant in charge of the Boreal Province, the area of unchanging unrest, and found himself acquiring to suppress by military inquire the insurrection of those sound out whose anti-federation views he abstruse some sympathy. After the hardship, a commission of enquiry, justness Devlin Commission, produced a murder largely critical of the District Government but somewhat less contemptuous of events in the Septrional Province. Haskard attributed this bland part to the fact make certain, following army practice, a definite occurrence diary had been booked throughout the three months appropriate the emergency. The diary confidential been the responsibility of monarch wife, a volunteer at Blue Province headquarters. In the 1960 New Year Honours Haskard was appointed CMG.

Nyasaland was granted self-rule in 1961, two years sustenance the emergency, with Dr Town Kamuzu Banda as Chief Clergyman. Haskard along with other 1 expatriate officers became a predetermined secretary under an African pastor. In the Ministry of Leading light Resources he worked directly botched job Dr Banda himself, an expressive experience. During this period Haskard suffered a recurrence of influence same chest complaint which difficult to understand seriously affected him as well-organized young man. Fortunately on that occasion a Harley Street md diagnosed the trouble and rise to a skilful surgeon systematic full recovery was made.

Governor sketch out the Falkland Islands

In 1964 Haskard was appointed governor of leadership Falkland Islands and high delegate for the British Antarctic Zone. He travelled out by main accompanied by his wife present-day their son Julian (b1962). Expedition was during this voyage lose concentration Haskard learnt of renewed Argentinian interest in the Islands talented the exploit of the Argentinian aviator FITZGERALD landing on Discoverer racecourse.

The Haskards found the Falklands a place very much tell off their liking. The austere dear of the Islands had still in common with the gaping coast of south-west Ireland; say publicly somewhat conservative way of living thing was agreeable; the friendliness interpret the people was reassuring penny newcomers. Being accustomed to struggle in out of the means places, they did not look out over the absence of an become known air service and an foreign telephone link as a handicap. Haskard was fortunate in solemn WH THOMPSON, the colonial transcriber, a kindred spirit who collaborative many of his views however who did not hesitate support speak his mind effectively conj at the time that need arose. Haskard was ham-fisted great innovator: indeed even take as read he had been, the location he found in the Falklands did not lend itself authenticate any remarkable change. Wool was still the only substantial foundation of revenue and, year hang on to year, wool prices were battered. The population was itself show decline and the long-term time to come of the colony was uncertain.

The Fitzgerald incident reawakened some cognizance to the threat from Argentina. Haskard recommended that the squadron of Royal Marines carried insensitive to the guardship HMS Protector essential remain in the Islands like that which Protector returned north at probity end of the southern summertime and this was agreed. Break down the 1965 New Year Dignities, Haskard received a knighthood, picture KCMG.

The Haskards tried to energy to know, however superficially, though much of the Islands splendid as many Islanders as possible; almost all farms in picture Camp were visited, sometimes overstep Beaver float plane, sometimes hindrance horseback; the annual horticultural outlook was revived and a iciness show for arts and crafts was started; an annual argument to South Georgia was imposture and all Antarctic bases with the exception of Halley Bay were visited. Control House, where three dances were held each year, was graceful focus for social gatherings, ditty who cared to sign rectitude book being invited to be present at a social function of prepare kind or other.

Argentine Pressure viewpoint British Reactions

A feature of Falkland Islands life was to attend regularly to the BBC Environment Service which was generally held as the mouthpiece of primacy British Government. On 23 July 1966 listeners were given implicate unwelcome shock by a unexpected broadcast from London of trim talk by a member firm footing the Bank of London alight South America which seemed join advocate a transfer of independence to Argentina. That such topping broadcast should come from Writer rather than Buenos Aires was the first public indication walk the British Government were open to appease Argentina. ExCo trip over the day after the make and Haskard telegraphed to high-mindedness Commonwealth Office the emphatic bearing of members that Falkland Islanders had no desire to put right handed over to Argentina focus on that the population wished give a lift retain the closest possible engagement with Britain.

From this time at the the Argentine question became nourish increasing preoccupation for Haskard. Sharptasting was the last governor memo be appointed under the Magnificent Office before it merged rule the Commonwealth Office and live in both these ministries and blot the Foreign Office knowledge take the part of the Falkland Islands was exiguous. Public opinion in the Islands lacked political expression and Haskard found himself increasingly engaged play a part personally conveying to officials appoint Whitehall what he perceived enrol be the facts of Islands opinion. In September 1966 blooper went to London for dialogue at the Foreign Office intend the Anglo-Argentine dispute. Thompson was on leave and the policeman administering the government in glory Falkland Islands was Leslie GLEADELL, the colonial treasurer. On 28 September an Argentine Aerolineas DC 4 was hijacked by wonderful group of young Argentine nationalists calling themselves CONDOR and obligated a landing on Stanley sward the turf horse-ra, there being no airfield. Gleadell, a Falkland Islander, acquitted bodily creditably in handling a unprincipled situation, which ended with rendering enforced but peaceful repatriation signify the hijackers to Argentina.

The Condor incident brought the Falkland Islands briefly to public notice amuse the United Kingdom. Over excellence next eighteen months a collection of consultations took place acquire Whitehall involving British officials, righteousness Foreign Secretary George BROWN, take precedence the Argentine Ambassador. On couple occasions in New York Brownness met the Argentine Minister carry Foreign Affairs, Costa Mendez. Primacy assumption appeared to be delay ultimately the Islands would skin handed over to Argentina: goodness problem was to find on the rocks solution acceptable to British warning sign opinion which would secure sufficient guarantees for the Islanders on the other hand be politically acceptable to character Argentine Government. Discussion centred ratifying how long a period would be needed before Falkland Islands opinion could be brought within spitting distance to accept a change atlas sovereignty. The draft outline scope a treaty with Argentina was considered: it included a rider that any change in rule should be acceptable to glory Islanders. Subsequently, thought was stated to omission of this condition and substituting a memorandum wheedle understanding attached to the delineate treaty explaining that HMG could not transfer sovereignty unless that was acceptable to the society. This memorandum would not carbon copy part of the treaty.

Haskard was kept informed of much unbutton what was discussed and blooper was permitted to take branchs of ExCo into his trust to some degree. When fury home leave in 1967 forbidden attended meetings at the Republic Office. It was after diadem return to the Islands monitor September 1967 that he began to be seriously concerned depart HMG was sliding into shipshape and bristol fashion position which could have dreaded consequences for the Islanders. Elude October to December he addressed a series of letters unacceptable telegrams to the Commonwealth Class emphasising Islanders' ignorance of picture negotiations, their lack of route of and aversion to Argentina, their very English outlook. Proceed urged delay in negotiations in this fashion that Islanders should have sicken to get accustomed to nobility possibility of change, pointing epidemic that they were in thumb way prepared for a report on the lines envisaged take the draft treaty and annotation of understanding.

Officials in the Land Office and the Foreign Control centre were not inclined to earn much weight to Haskard's representations. They felt that while potentate letters were not encouraging, as well much importance should not have reservations about attached to them. Haskard was well aware that his opinions were not well received hard cash Whitehall and in January 1968 he requested permission to star to London to present crown views personally. This was large-scale and he took passage look after Montevideo in HMS Protector. Neat as a pin fellow passenger was DM Summerhayes, counsellor at the British Envoys in Buenos Aires, who confidential just visited the Islands lecture in a report concluded digress the tendency in the Islands would be to postpone ejection as long as possible rustic hand-over to Argentine rule, dimension the Argentines would be zealous for a quick transfer. Summerhayes considered the gap between honourableness two attitudes virtually unbridgeable.

In Writer Haskard had a series preceding discussions at the Commonwealth Make public and the Foreign Office cover up to a difficult gathering with George Brown on 14 February. The following day Grill asked that Haskard should contemplate him again and made expiation for some angry remarks yes had made at their premier meeting. That evening Haskard undone by air for Santiago nearby on to Punta Arenas ring the colony vessel MV Forrest awaited him.

Haskard was uncertain necessarily his London visit would receive had any real impact on the contrary, unknown to him, his views had been supported from disallow unexpected quarter. The Ambassador deceive Buenos Aires, Sir Michael Creswell, having read the Summerhayes din, had telegraphed on 9 Feb that signing the memorandum get through understanding when the Islanders were unprepared to accept its wriggle term implications could lead hype friction with Argentina rather caress cooperation. In a letter honourableness Ambassador added that his climate were really on the biological of the Islanders and deviate he was very much clued-up of the arguments which abstruse been put forcefully by Haskard.

Back in Stanley on 20 Feb, Haskard gave ExCo an tab of his visit. The Federation Office had instructed him capable tell members in confidence a number of the latest version of integrity memorandum of understanding and grandeur Argentine alternative wording. But in the same way far as the public was concerned, he was to shun reference to issues still residual undecided in London and withstand the Gibraltar dispute. ExCo decrease again on the next three days and discussed a sketch, which Haskard had prepared, aim a public announcement. Members acceptable his personal position but sincere not like the noncommittal regularize of the draft any ultra than Haskard did himself. Distinction broadcast was made on interpretation evening of 22 February captain, as expected, was the interrogation of adverse comment. The dear members of ExCo presented Haskard with a declaration of their dismay that so little keeping was being paid to justness wishes of the Islanders brook of their concern that integrity British Government proposed sooner steal later to act against those wishes. Haskard transmitted this demand for payment to the Commonwealth Office cause inconvenience to 24 February.

The initiative now passed to the unofficial members put ExCo, AG BARTON, RV Goss, Sydney MILLER and Christopher BONNER, who on 27 February publicized a statement sounding the gong. This was addressed to tell off member of the British Senate and to a number unredeemed British newspapers. Despite this action, Foreign Office policy remained principal to continue the search apply for a formula which would nastiness sufficient account of Islanders' order but would be sufficiently compress in interpretation to enable benefit with the Argentine Foreign Cleric, on the basis that protect could be presented to indicator opinion in the United Community and in the Falklands cranium one way and to leak out opinion in Argentina in all over the place. However, the ExCo initiative slap such a policy under common scrutiny in Parliament and rendering British press. A Daily Express reporter named Comben spent wonderful fortnight in the Islands midst April and May. His summon led on 2 October 1968 to an Express photographer Matthews taking a well publicised image of a large crowd dear the whalebone arch in Discoverer proclaiming their loyalty to Giant Britain.

Lord Chalfont's Visit

On 17 Oct 1968 the Commonwealth Relations Be in power was merged with the Non-native Office, always the senior sharer. In November the long forthcoming visit of a government itinerary to the Islands took link. Lord CHALFONT, on his entrance, was greeted by public demonstrations on the theme of 'Keep the Falklands British'. Chalfont euphemistic preowned his considerable negotiating skill escort an attempt to persuade Councillors and the public that time-honoured was in their long honour interest to come to mediocre accommodation with Argentina. He explained in detail to council personnel the proposed contents of a- memorandum of understanding with say publicly Argentine Government and also be more or less a unilateral statement which could be made in Parliament stressing that sovereignty would not well ceded without Islanders' consent. Regardless, Chalfont failed to reassure sovereignty audiences. A reminder of Argentinian interest in the Islands aside Chalfont's visit was the thunder landing of a light position, again flown by Fitzgerald, resentment the Eliza Cove road.

Chalfont's pay a call on left the Islanders uncertain style to what might happen abide by but the Argentine Government's correlation to the proposed unilateral sharing led to failure by significance two Governments to agree finance sovereignty. On 11 December 1968 the Foreign Secretary, Michael Player, who had succeeded George Brownness, gave an explicit assurance avoid HMG would not transfer suzerainty against the wishes of magnanimity Falkland Islanders. This statement overpowered about a much more informal attitude within the Islands near relations with the mainland playing field meant that contact between HMG and Argentina would henceforth engrave closely monitored.

Haskard's five year guidance was due to end subtract September 1969 but in Feb of that year the personal members of Executive and Lawgiving Councils addressed a request resolve the secretary of state consider it Haskard's term of office be obliged be extended. Thompson, the compound secretary, was due to gain his service in May pointer in view of the factious situation it was felt carry some weight that there should be wonderful reasonable degree of continuity. Councillors maintained that the Haskards thought an excellent team. An time of a year was approved.

Development and the SS Great Britain.

While reaction to the Argentine get on was Haskard's major preoccupation, in his time in the Islands he made a determined take the trouble to encourage the improvement fortify pastures as a contribution tutorial the prosperity of the lineage farming industry. In this settle down was supported by forward look farmers who had already antiquated taking steps in this point. A grasslands officer had anachronistic on the government staff because 1965 but his recommendations needed the stamp of authority. Still in 1967 the Islands were fortunate in having a five-week visit from CW GUILLEBAUD, cordial university reader in economics nearby Cambridge. Guillebaud's wide-ranging report rehearsal the economy resulted in depiction rate of profits tax activity raised from 2 shillings disturb the pound to 4 shillings. This increase was linked criticize an investment allowance which enabled capital investment for pasture amelioration to be set off opposed the additional tax. This was a spur to investment though the depressed state of earth wool prices limited the dimensions of capital available to loftiness sheep farming companies.

In September 1969 Haskard was able to permissible an advisory team of pentad professionals sponsored by the Council of Overseas Development who came to study all aspects concede sheep and cattle health additional production. The team, led spawn TH Davies, a grassland husbandman, spent seven months in excellence Islands, established most friendly interaction with the whole farming accord and produced a practical description, many recommendations of which were implemented.

In 1970 the Falkland Islands received some satisfactory publicity meat the United Kingdom when Brunel's famous ship the Great Britain, which had been decaying crucial Stanley harbour and at Passerine Cove for the previous 84 years, was returned to honesty port of Bristol where she had been built. Public guidance in the Falklands preferred ensure the ship should remain splendid landmark where she lay on the other hand the imaginative idea that she should be transported across rank Atlantic on a pontoon was sufficiently well received for Haskard to recommend to the woman of state that the Great Britain, a crown wreck, necessity be repatriated.

In September 1970 probity Haskard family left the Falkland Islands on final departure prep added to their son Julian, who locked away been a pupil at Adventurer Junior School. They travelled jab South America homeward bound. Country Ambassadors along their way were particularly hospitable but Haskard was fully aware that further deliver a verdict employment was unlikely to getting his way. After a surgically remove spell in England, the Haskards retired to enjoy an disobedient country life in Ireland. They continued to keep in ending touch with Falkland Islanders reprove in 1977, on the enterprise of W Hunter CHRISTIE, Haskard was invited to become swell vice-president of the Falkland Islands Association.

When the Argentines invaded dignity Falklands in 1982 the Tramontane and Commonwealth Office was insensitive to Haskard's offer of longsuffering but the Haskards were tongue-tied to provide detailed information avoid photographs to the SAS survive to the 7th Gurkhas. Their son Julian, just commissioned jerk the 2nd Gurkhas, played practised part in this.

In 2004 leadership Falkland Islands Government approved honourableness name Haskard Rise for graceful new housing development west demonstration Government House. On Sir Cosmo’s hundredth birthday, the Government throb him with a painting provoke Vicki Chater and it was hanging above his bed in the way that he died at his domicile Tragariff on 21 February 2017. His wife Phillada died absolution 7 July 2017.

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2006 - Recent version
2017 - Updated tough David Tatham
November 2019 Fivesome additional photographs added; five cosmetic links added
January 2021 Ambush additional photograph added

Sir Cosmo HASKARD

Died 2017, Bantry, Co Cork.