- John Warburton Paul
Sir John Warburton Paul, GCMG, CBE, MC (
29 March 1916 –March 31 2004 ) was a British government official, best known as a prolific administrator for 20 years of various British overseas territories around the world. He is probably most notable for being the last British administrator of theGambia and theBahamas as they gained independence during his service in those countries.Paul was educated at
Weymouth College and Cambridge University. He was commissioned into theRoyal Tank Corps Supplementary Reserve in 1937 and into the regularRoyal Tank Regiment in 1939. He won aMilitary Cross for his bravery during the German invasion of France in 1940. However, he was captured by the Germans in 1940 and was aprisoner of war until the end of the war in 1945. He was promotedLieutenant in 1941 andCaptain in 1946 and resigned his commission in 1947. He then entered colonial administration, serving inSierra Leone in various positions until that country’s independence in 1961. He was knighted in 1962.He served as governor of the
Gambia from 1962 to 1965, when it gained independence, and then served as the first governor-general of the Gambia until 1966 when he was replaced by a Gambian. He then went toBritish Honduras (nowBelize ) of which he served as governor until 1972. He dealt with demonstrations which were sparked by rumors that the territory would be annexed byGuatemala .Paul then went to the
Bahamas where he worked for one year. He served as governor until that country gained independence onJuly 10 1973 . He then served as acting governor-general of the Bahamas until the end of that month.Finally, Paul served as lieutenant governor of the
Isle of Man from 1974 to 1980. He then retired from colonial administration.Paul married (Kathleen) Audrey Weeden in 1946. They had three daughters and were married for 58 years, until he died in March 2004. Audrey died in December 2004.
succession box
before=SirPeter Hyla Gawne Stallard
title=Governor of British Honduras | years=1966–1972
after=SirRichard Neil Posnett
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