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Name: MONSON, William John 'Monsoon Monson'

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Photo Source: WA Kempe photo album

Nee: bro of Christopher John Monson, son of Rev Hon Evelyn John Monson, related to Baron Monson

Birth Date: 12 Sep 1873 Croft, Lincolnshire

Death Date: 18 Mar 1956 Colchester

Nationality: British

First Date: 1899

Profession: Asst. Collector EAP, Editor Official Gazette 1900, Asst. Sec. Admin 1903. Member Leg. & Exec. Council, Acting Chief Sec. 1917-18. Sec. to Admin. 1912.

Area: Nairobi, Mombasa

Married: unmarried

Book Reference: Gillett, HBEA, Cuckoo, Kill, Crossroads, Adventurers, Cranworth, Kenya Diary, Tignor, EAHB 1905, EAS, North, Playne, EA Diary 1903, Drumkey, Red 22, EAHB 1906, Burke, Eton, Medals, EA Diary 1902, EAHB 1904, EAHB 1907, Leader14, Red Book 1912, Gazette

School: Eton College (K.S.) 1887-92 & Magdalen College, Oxford, (Demy), BA (honours class: mods: and history) 1896

General Information:

Crossroads - July 1916 ....... I was to resume duty as Staff Officer to a newly appointed Chief Political Officer, W. Monson, in civil life Asst. Chief Secretary of Kenya.   
Cranworth - "Monsoon" - An Old Etonian and a contemporary of mine, he naturally became a great friend ....... He preferred, most likely with true wisdom, books and friends to honours and responsibilities - no ambition.   
Kenya Diary - May 1906 - Monson - with whom I was at Aysgarth in 1887   
Tignor - Govt. official - made an inquiry into Kenya labour.   
EAHB 1905 - 1st Asst. Secretary to the Administration, Mombasa. Assistant Collector, EAP, Feb. 17th 1899; Editor, Official Gazette 1900; served as Intelligence Officer, Ogaden Punitive Force, 1900-01; (mentioned in despatches); Collector April 1st, 1902; First Asst. Secretary to the Administration, and Editor of the 'Official Gazette', April 1st 1903; African General Service Medal, Jubaland clasp.
The African Standard - 26-2-1903 - Invited to the wedding of H.R. Phelips & Miss Jacquette Edith Lambe in Mombasa
North - Appt. Asst. Collector EAP; Mombasa, June, Dec. 1899; Editor Official Gazette 1900; Appt. Acting Supt. Government Transport Oct 1900; Appt. Sec. to the Acting Commissioner 9/10/1900; In Jubaland with Ogaden Punitive Force Jan 1901; Issued with Bird Licence at Mombasa between Oct & Dec 1901; Appt. Asst. Sec. EAP 1/4/1902; Appt. Collector 12/4/1902.
Playne - Mr Monson was born at Croft, Lincolnshire, on September 12, 1873, and educated at Eton and Magdalen College, Oxford. He came to EA in May, 1899, from England, and has been Secretary to the Administration and Registrar-General of Births, Deaths, and Marriages since June 13, 1907. The dates of his previous appointments are: Asst. District Officer, Feb. 17, 1899; Collector, April 1, 1902; First Asst. Secretary, April 1, 1903. He was Intelligence Officer in the Ogaden Expedition (1900-01), and has the Africa General Service medal with the Jubaland clasp. Mr Monson has been Hon. Secretary of the Mombasa Club and the Mombasa Sports Club.
Medals - East African Political Department - Honorary Colonel
EA Diary 1902 - Listed as Assistant District Officer
EA Diary 1903 - Asst. Collector, EA Protectorate Feb 17 1899; Collector and Asst. Secretary to the Administration 1902
Red Book 1912 - W.J. Monson - Nairobi
Gazette 4/5/1921 - Retirement - William John Monson, Asst. Colonial Secretary on 27/4/1921
Gazette - 12/11/1919 - Register of Voters - Nairobi, South Area - William John Monson - Civil Servant - Anderson Road
Cuckoo - First secretary of the Govt. - helped Eastwood and Black-Barnes with lyrics in theatricals.

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