Governor of Southern Rhodesia Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Governor of Southern Rhodesia
Flag of the governor from 1952 to 1980
Last in office The Lord Soames 11 December 1979 – 18 April 1980
Style	His Excellency The Right Honourable
Residence	Government House, Salisbury (now Harare)
Appointer	Monarch of the United Kingdom
Formation	1 October 1923
First holder	Sir John Chancellor
Final holder	The Lord Soames
Abolished	18 April 1980

The Governor of Southern Rhodesia was like the Queen's main representative in the British colony of Southern Rhodesia. This role existed from 1923 until 1980. The British monarch (King or Queen) chose the Governor. This person acted as the local leader for the British Crown and followed instructions from the British Government.

In 1965, Southern Rhodesia decided to declare itself independent from Britain. This was called the Unilateral Declaration of Independence (UDI). After this, the Rhodesian government stopped recognizing the Governor's power. In 1969, Rhodesia voted to become a republic, meaning it would no longer be part of the British monarchy.

Britain, however, still saw Southern Rhodesia as its colony. So, they kept the Governor's office, even though it was empty for many years (1969–1979). The role was filled again in December 1979 after the Lancaster House Agreement. This agreement paved the way for Southern Rhodesia to become the independent country of Zimbabwe. The Governor's job officially ended on April 18, 1980, when Zimbabwe gained full independence.

What Did the Governor Do?
- Governor's Home During the Federation
The Unilateral Declaration of Independence (UDI)
The Governor's Flag
List of Southern Rhodesia's Governors
See also

What Did the Governor Do?

The Governor was also the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces. This meant they had a lot of theoretical power over the colony's government. However, in reality, the Governor's main job was to keep a good relationship between the British and Southern Rhodesian governments. They mostly offered advice.

From 1951, the British government also had a High Commissioner in Salisbury (now Harare). This person represented Britain directly in Southern Rhodesia, which was different from other colonies.

Governor's Home During the Federation

When Southern Rhodesia was part of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, the Governor's job didn't change much. But because Salisbury became the capital of the Federation, the Governor General lived in Government House. This had been the Governor's official home. During this time, the Governor of Southern Rhodesia lived at Governor's Lodge in a suburb called Highlands.

The Unilateral Declaration of Independence (UDI)

After the Unilateral Declaration of Independence (UDI) in 1965, the government led by Ian Smith stopped recognizing the Governor's authority. The Governor at the time was Sir Humphrey Gibbs. Smith's government then chose Clifford Dupont to act as the leader instead.

But Sir Humphrey Gibbs didn't give up. He stayed in Government House, showing that he was still the Queen's official representative. He didn't resign until June 1969. This was after white voters in Rhodesia decided in a vote to approve a new constitution. This constitution declared Rhodesia a republic.

In 1977, Lord Carver was named Resident Commissioner for Rhodesia. But he resigned about 14 months later.

The Governor's office stayed empty until December 11, 1979. On this date, Lord Soames took over the role. This happened after the Lancaster House Agreement was signed. This agreement meant that Southern Rhodesia would become truly independent as Zimbabwe on April 18, 1980.

The Governor's Flag

Flag of the governor of Southern Rhodesia (1924–1951)

Flag of the governor of Southern Rhodesia (1951–1952), featuring the Tudor Crown.

Flag of the governor of Southern Rhodesia (1952–1980), featuring St Edward's Crown.

Like most British colonies, the Governor's flag was originally a Union Flag (the flag of the United Kingdom). It had a white circle in the middle with the shield from Southern Rhodesia's coat of arms. This flag was special because the shield wasn't surrounded by the usual wreath. It was used from October 1, 1924, until July 30, 1951.

On July 31, 1951, a new flag was introduced for the Governor. This flag was dark blue and had a Royal Crown in the center. At first, the Tudor Crown was used. But after Elizabeth II became Queen in 1952, she preferred the St Edward's Crown. So, this version of the crown was used on the flag from then on.

Even though Southern Rhodesia gained "Responsible Government" in 1923, it was never a full Dominion. Dominions had a Governor-General, whose flag was different.

List of Southern Rhodesia's Governors

No.	Portrait	Name (Born–Died)	Time in Office			Monarch	Prime Minister
No.	Portrait	Name (Born–Died)	Started	Ended	Length of time	Monarch	Prime Minister
1		Sir John Chancellor (1870–1952)	1 October 1923	15 June 1928	4 years, 258 days	George V	Coghlan Moffat
–		Sir Murray Bisset (1876–1931) Acting	15 June 1928	24 November 1928	162 days		Moffat
2		Sir Cecil Hunter-Rodwell (1874–1953)	24 November 1928	1 May 1934	5 years, 158 days		Moffat Mitchell Huggins
–		Fraser Russell (1876–1952) Acting	1 May 1934	8 January 1935	252 days		Huggins
3		Sir Herbert Stanley (1872–1955)	8 January 1935	8 January 1942	7 years, 0 days	George V Edward VIII George VI
–		Fraser Russell (1876–1952) Acting	8 January 1942	10 December 1942	336 days	George VI
4		Sir Evelyn Baring (1903–1973)	10 December 1942	26 October 1944	1 year, 321 days
–		Sir Robert James Hudson (1885–1963) Acting	26 October 1944	20 February 1945	117 days
5		Sir Campbell Tait (1886–1946)	20 February 1945	2 February 1946	347 days
–		Sir Fraser Russell (1876–1952) Acting	2 February 1946	19 July 1946	167 days
–		Sir Robert James Hudson (1885–1963) Acting	19 July 1946	14 January 1947	179 days
6		Sir John Noble Kennedy (1893–1970)	14 January 1947	21 November 1953	6 years, 311 days	George VI Elizabeth II	Huggins Todd
–		Sir Robert Clarkson Tredgold (1899–1977) Acting	21 November 1953	26 November 1954	1 year, 5 days	Elizabeth II	Todd
7		Sir Peveril William-Powlett (1898–1985)	26 November 1954	28 December 1959	5 years, 32 days		Todd Whitehead
8		Sir Humphrey Gibbs (1902–1990)	28 December 1959	24 June 1969	9 years, 178 days		Whitehead Field Smith
The Governor's job was empty from June 24, 1969, to December 11, 1979.
9		The Lord Soames (1920–1987)	11 December 1979	18 April 1980	129 days		Job ended