The K.C.M.G., K.B.E. and pair to Sir F.S.James, Governor and Commander in Chief of the Windward Islands, late Governor, Colonial Secretary and Administrator throughout Africa, Malaya and the Straits Settlements,

Footnotes

K.C.M.G. London Gazette 1929

K.B.E. London Gazette 1923

Sir Frederick Seton James was born on the 8th April 1870, he was the son of W.James late 42nd Royal Highlanders, Otterburn Tower, Northumberland. He was educated at both Charterhouse and overseas. His first appointment was as Assistant District Commissioner in the Niger Coast Protectorate in 1896; In charge at Opobo and Akwete, 1897; Tavelling Commissioner, 1897. He served in the expedition against the Ekuris, Cross River, 1898. He settled disputes in Qua country after Central Division Expedition, 1899, received thanks of Mr Chamberlain. Served as Divisional Commissioner, 1901; Intelligence and Political Officer with the Aro Field Force, 1901-02, he was mentioned in despatches for this and received the thanks of the Director of Military Intelligence and Secretary of State in connection with the preparation of map subsequent to Aro operations. He served with the Kwale Field Force in 1905. Acting Secretary and Deputy High Commissioner 1905. Provincial Commissioner and Member of the Executive and Legislative Councils of Southern Nigeria, 1906. Deputy Governor, 1907 and 1908. He was Acting Colonial Secretary on several occasions and acted as Governor and Commander-in-Chief, Southern Nigeria during 1912.

On the amalgamation of the Nigerias in 1914, he was appointed as Administrator of the Colony of Lagos, which post he held until 1916. In the same year he was a homeward passenger on the Appam when she was captured by the Moewe.

He then went to Singapore as Colonial Secretary of the Straits Settlements serving between 1916-24. Served as Food Controller for Malaya between December 1918 and May 1919. Officer Administering the Government and High Commissioner for the Federated Malay States between August 1919 and January 1920, and was officiating Chief Secretary F.M.S. 1920; Officer Administering Govt and High Commissioner, Malay States, April 1922. He greatly supported the Malaya section of the British Empire Exhibition at Wembley.

In 1924 he was appointed Governor of the Windward Islands and retired in 1930, as a result of a serious accident in which he broke his thigh, and the after effects of which he felt for some time-after. He settled down in retirement at Ellerslie, near Chichester.

He had married a Miss Doris Basevi in 1917, who was the daughter of Colonel Basevi, and they had two sons. He was affectionately known to his Service companions as "Long" James, on account of being nearly 6ft 6 inches, this stature and his striking appearance had a great effect in enabling him to deal with troublous situations in the "bush" areas of Southern and South-Eastern Nigeria.

He died on the 13th February 1934.

The lot includes a photocopied binder of copies of photographs, correspondence, invitations of his time in the Civil Service. Together with the original warrant for the C.M.G., this mounted on board.