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Name: SCHWARTZE, Helmuth Eric (Col.)
Photo Source: East African Standard
Birth Date: 20 Apr 1887 Norwood
Death Date: 7 Sep 1938 Nairobi
First Date: 1913
Last Date: 1938
Profession: Barrister-at-Law. Partner in firm of Shapley & Schwartze, the Nbi. Advocates and Solicitors. Commissioner of Oaths and Notary Public
Area: Nairobi
Married: In Kensington 1914 Lindisfarne Maria Teresa Bell b. 13 Dec 1883 Park House, Durham, d. 10 Nov 1981 Welton, Lincs.
Children: dau. (8 May 1916 Nairobi)
Book Reference: Gillett, Permanent Way, Oscar, O&C, Golf, Perham, White Man, KAD, Red 25, Red 31, Red 22, Barnes, Dominion, Rift Valley, Gazette
War Service: Late Captain, Durham Light Infantry
School: Charterhouse and Oriel College, Oxford. Called to Bar 1910
General Information:
Very well known on Nairobi stage. President of the Oxford & Cambridge Society - 1931 and 1938
Oscar - 1927 election - Olga [Watkins] stood as an independent against a man called Schwartz who believed that junior members of the administration who did not send Africans out to work for settlers should be disciplined. Schwartz hated standing against a woman and kept up a copious correspondence with Olga, reiterating that most candidates were unopposed. ...... She was not elected by a narrow margin.
Golf - On Committee formed to run Muthaiga Golf Course at Muthaiga Country Club in the early 1920's. President of Muthaiga Golf Club in 1926-28
Perham - a lawyer, Col. H.E. Schwartze, rose in Legislative Council to move a vote of censure upon the Imperial Govt. for delaying its decision upon the future of EA.
Red 22 - Committee Member, Nairobi Political Association
Red 22 - Hon. Secretary and Treasurer, Nairobi Law Society
Nairobi Forest Road cemetery - Helmuth Eric Schwartz, British, age 52, died 7/9/38. Inscription: in loving memory of / Helmuth Eric Schwartze / born 20 April 1887 / died 7th September 1938
Dominion - 1930 - European Elected member of Legco
Rift Valley - Member of the Rift Valley Sports Club - Jan 1929 - Elected - 10 Jul 1920 - H.E. Schwartze
Gazette 5/1/1921 - High Court Case - Helmuth Eric Schwartze vs Lindisfarne Mary Teresa Schwartze
Gazette - 12/11/1919 - Register of Voters - Nairobi, North Area - Helmuth Eric Schwartze - Advocate, Muthaiga
Gazette 20 Sep 1938 probate
Gazette 16 Nov 1936 Voters List 1936 - Helmuth Eric Schwartze, Advocate, Muthaiga Estate
His mother Mary née Buchanan d. 8 Feb 1934 London
EAS 2 Sep 1938 After a collapse he was admitted to a nursing home on 26th August and for some days his condition remained critical. He was a brilliant advocate, a fearless politician and a leading amateur actor. He was president of the Oxford and Cambridge Society of Kenya. He was called to the bar in 1919 and three years later came to Kenya to join Shapley in the firm Shapley, Schwartze and Barret. In the war he served in France with the 4th Durham Light Infantry and at the end of the war returned to E Africa. He had many active years of political life in the Legislative Council from 1922. A courageous fighter for the rights of the Europeans to a recognized privileged position in the Highlands. And in regard to another of Kenya's outstanding political controversies, income tax, he always maintained his view as to the unsuitability of such a tax for such a country as Kenya. He agreed with the compromise where it was agreed by the majority of European elected members that the tax should in a modified form be given a trial. In so doing he brought upon himself much criticism from former supporters, but nevertheless he stuck to his convictions. He represented the European settlers' views to the Joint Commission of both houses on the question of closer union. With Lord Francis Scott he represented Kenya at the coronation of George the 6th. From 1922 onwards he was treasurer of the Convention of Associations. He was president of the Law Society of Kenya. He was very fond of amateur theatricals.