George Beresford-Stooke

Sir George Beresford-Stooke KCMG (3 January 1897 – 7 April 1983) – always known as "Toby" - was Chief Secretary to Northern Rhodesia, and later was appointed Governor of Sierra Leone from September, 1947 until December 1952.

Beresford-Stooke was born on 3 January 1897 in Priors Marston, Warwickshire. On 15 January 1914 (just after his 17th birthday) he enrolled in the Royal Navy, with the rank of Paymaster Lieutenant.

After the end of the First World War, he joined her Majesty's Overseas Civil Service (HMOCS), serving in Sarawak, Kenya, Mauritius, Zanzibar, and as Chief Secretary of Northern Rhodesia and then of Nigeria.

He married Creenagh Richards.

While Governor of Sierra Leone, he was also Chief Scout of that country.

In 1951, Sir George revised the Constitution of Sierra LeoneIn 1954 Sir George was appointed a Knight of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem.His portrait is in the National Portrait Gallery

They retired to East Molesey, Surrey, and Sir George became Second Crown Agent for the Colonies. He served as Treasurer to the International African Institute, 1955–1965, and as Vice-Chairman, 1957–1974.

In 1954, after six months as Assistant, Sir George, having been a Scout for many years, was appointed Overseas Commissioner for the Boy Scout Association

In 1959, Sir George was part of a team to investigate the detention camps in Kenya/

Sir George was a Gentleman Usher of the Blue Rod, 1959–1972.

They later moved to Hillfarance, West of Taunton, Somerset, and he died on 7 April 1983.