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Canham album of the Gold Coast [i.e. Ghana] 1938-39, 1938 - 1939

 File
Reference Code: GBR/0115/RCS/Y30448O

Scope and Contents

Black album, measuring 255 x 190 mm, containing photographs; one is loose and there is an empty space by one caption. The majority are amateur photographs, presumably taken by Canham or his associates during his early days in the Gold Coast. He travelled with a number of colleagues also on their first appointment to the Colony and many like Canham served until Independence. Brief biographical details of these and other members of the Gold Coast administration who appear in these photographs are listed below.

The album is well captioned, and the entries in Canham's own words have been copied in the catalogue. A few additional or explanatory notes have been added, where appropriate, after the indication of format or size. Apart from the outward journey, and a few scenes in Accra, all of these photographs were probably taken in Ashanti, beginning with the capital Kumasi (17-24, 27-28, 100-102) to which Canham presumably reported. Manso Nkwanta is probably Manso on the Cape Coast-Kumasi road, and 25-26 should therefore precede 17. Lake Busumtwi, and Abunu on it (29-31, 43-44) is some 34 miles south-east of Kumasi, but Owabi has not been identified. Canham was apparently posted for a time as ADC Obuasi (plate 50), about 30 miles south west of Kumasi (44-60). His main posting was to Mampong, north of Kumasi (67-99, 125-128, 133-153, 157-171). Banko (39-42, 45) is south of Mampong. Ejura (103-105) is on the road north-east from Mampong to Attabubu (106-110, 129-132), some 85 miles north east of Kumasi, and Bassa (111-124) is apparently in the same area. Nsuta (154-156) has not been located.

Ronald Wraith wrote a six-page appraisal of Canham's life, a photocopy of which, supplied by Alan Bell, Librarian of Rhodes House, has been inserted in this album.

Notes on officials pictured:
David Moor Allen (born 1916). Cadet 1938, continued in Ghana after Independence, M.B.E. Plates 2, 4, 7, 15, 20, 24 and 39.
Lindsay Anderson Britton (born 1909). Formerly in Accountant-General's Department: A.D.C. Kumasi, 1938. Commissioner, Gambia, 1942. Plates 25, 33, 36-38, 40, 42.
Rowland Edward Crabb (born 1914). Formerly in Colonial Treasury. Cadet 1938. Remained until Independence. Retired 1957. Plates 6, 9, 43-44.
John Duncan (born 1914). Cadet 1938. Plates 4, 8-9.
William Vickery Fuller (born 1907). Cadet 1929. Acting D.C. Mampong, 1937, D.C. 1946. Plates 60, 125, 132, 165, 172.
Tom Hindle (born 1915). Cadet 1938. Continued in Ghana after Independence. Retired 1958. Plate 43.
Sir Arnold Wienholt Hodson (1881-1944). Served in Bechuanaland Police 1904-1912 (see Y30549A for his photographs) and in military and diplomatic posts in Somaliland and Ethiopia 1912-1926. Governor of the Falkland Islands 1926-1930, Sierra Leone 1930-1934, and the Gold Coast 1934-1941. Plates 100-102, 157-162.
Dr Charles Blake Jennings (born 1897). Assistant Director of Medical Services 1938. Plate 132.
Cecil Douglas Ayrton Pullan (born 1910). Cadet 1933. ADC Bekwai to June 1938. Senior Assistant Colonial Secretary 1947. Plates 115, 125, 132.
(Sir) George Evelyn Sinclair (born 1912). Cadet 1936. ADC Bekwai, July 1938. DC 1943. Deputy Governor Cyprus 1955-1960. Knight 1960. MP 1964-1979. Active in educational and development issues. Plate 25.















Dates

  • Creation: 1938 - 1939

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

From the Fonds:

Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).

Extent

1 album(s) (172 images in 1 album)

Language of Materials

English

Related Materials

For another photograph of Sir Arnold Hodson see Y30448P/13.

Bibliography

In identifying locations, use has been made of: 'Atlas of the Gold Coast' (1935), 2nd edition, Accra: Gold Coast Survey Department.

General

MJC.

Finding aid date

2004-10-01 11:29:34+00:00

Includes index.

Repository Details

Part of the Cambridge University Library Repository

Contact:
Cambridge University Library
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Cambridge CB3 9DR United Kingdom