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Name: GRAZEBROOK, William CBE, MC (Capt.)

Birth Date: 1889 Paddington, London

Death Date: 24 July 1955 London

First Date: 1912

Last Date: 1955

Profession: After WW1 he managed the Tanganyika business of the East African Agency, and in 1923 formed his own company of Grazebrook, Bartlet and Co., General Merchant and Cloves Specialists. The Director of Nyanza Salt Mines (TT) Ltd.

Area: Zanzibar, later settled in Nairobi

Book Reference: Gillett, Debrett, EAMR, EA & Rhodesia, Red 22, Aero

War Service: Bowker's Horse in WW1, Mentioned in despatches, MC, Captain EAMR CB Sqdn. 8/8/14 - 22/10/14 To EASC

School: Cranleigh School and at Brussels

General Information:

He joined Bowker's Horse in 1914, and served throughout the EA Campaign in various capacities, being Mentioned in Despatches, awarded the MC, and retiring with the rank of Captain. He served on the Zanzibar Legislative Council from 1926 for some years, and was Chairman of the Zanzibar Chamber of Commerce. He was awarded the Brilliant Star of Zanzibar (3rd class) and later settled and died in Nairobi.
Debrett - Chm. and Managing Director of Nyanza Salt Mines (Tanganyika) Ltd.; sometime a MLC, Zanzibar, and thrice Chm. of Chamber of Commerce; European War 1914-19 as Capt. E. African Local Forces (despatches, MC, 1914-15 star, 2 medals); has Order of Brilliant Star of Zanzibar
East Africa & Rhodesia - 4/8/55 - Capt. William Grazebrook, CBE, MC, of Nairobi, who died suddenly in Nairobi last week [Nat Probate Cal. says he died in Westminster, as does Gazette 13 Sep 1955], had been well known in Zanzibar, Tanganyika Territory, and Kenya for some 40 years. He first went to East Africa in 1912, and for the next two years hunted and traded in German East Africa, Ethiopia, Somaliland, Kenya and Uganda. Joining the East Africa Protectorate Forces as a private on the outbreak of war in August 1914, he served throughout the "German East" campaign, being commissioned in 1915, mentioned in despatches, and awarded the Military Cross. On demobilization he became manager in Tanganyika Territory of the East African Agency, Ltd., and when that company went into voluntary liquidation in 1923 he formed Grazebrook, Bartlett & Co. Ltd. With headquarters in Zanzibar. The business was later incorporated in Tanganyika as a private company. He was one of the founders of the Dar es Salaam Chamber of Commerce, and in 1923 he was elected chairman of the Zanzibar Chamber. When a Legislative Council was established in that Protectorate in 1926 he was one of its first non-official members. From 1939 to 1949 he was temporary official in Kenya, being much of the time price controller; for services in that capacity he was made CBE. He had been a director of Nyanza Salt Mines (Tanganyika) Ltd., from its incorporation, and latterly he had been both chairman and managing director. The dual office enabled him to do much to modernize the enterprise, in the prospects of which he had great faith. Grazebrook was one of the best amateur cinematographers in East Africa. He was very knowledgeable about big game, he was most patient in observing wild life, he had an artistic sense, and his films were consequently exceptionally good. Nothing gave him greater pleasure than to get away into the bush, watch and photograph. His next best recreation was to chat with old friends; then his sardonic wit and knowledge of men and affairs were given free play.
Aero - District Representative of Aero Club of East Africa 1927 - Zanzibar - W. Grazebrook
Gazette 13 Sep 1955 probate
George Grazebrook b. 1877 travelled to Kilindini in 1927 and Owen (b. 11 Nov 1884) and Elizabeth Grazebrook (b. 1920) travelled to Durban in 1955

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