Bede Clifford

Captain Sir Bede Edmund Hugh Clifford (3 July 1890 – 6 October 1969) was a British diplomat and colonial administrator with origins in New Zealand. He was born in New Zealand, where his parents William Hugh Clifford, the 10th Baron Clifford of Chudleigh, and Catherine Mary Bassett had moved in pursuit of sheep-farming, which was ultimately unsuccessful. Following their time in New Zealand, the family relocated to Tasmania. Clifford did not attend formal schooling until the age of 10; subsequently, he attended Xavier College in Melbourne, where he displayed notable academic ability. He further studied at Melbourne University and initially qualified as a surveyor before serving as a merchant navy officer.

During World War I, Clifford served as an army captain in the Royal Fusiliers. His military service included attaining the rank of Captain. After the war, he transitioned into roles within imperial administration and diplomacy. In 1917, he became aide-de-camp and later served as Private Secretary to the Governor-General of Australia, Sir Ronald Ferguson. From 1921 to 1931, Clifford was the Secretary to the Governor-General of South Africa, first for Prince Arthur of Connaught and subsequently for the Earl of Athlone.

In 1931, it was announced that Clifford would be appointed Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the Bahamas. He later served as the 24th Governor of Mauritius from 23 October 1937 until 16 April 1942. Following this, he became Governor of Trinidad and Tobago, holding the position from 1942 to 1947. During his career, Clifford was also recognized as a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society.

Clifford married Alice Devin Gundry in 1925 in Cleveland, Ohio. The couple had three daughters:

- Anne Frances Mary Clifford, born on 5 January 1929, who married John Julius Norwich, 2nd Viscount Norwich. Their children include The Hon Alice Clifford, later known as Artemis Cooper, a historian, who married Sir Antony Beevor, and Jason Cooper, 3rd Viscount Norwich.

- Patricia David Pandora Clifford, born on 29 January 1930, who married Timothy Angus Jones, the son of Sir Roderick Jones and Enid Bagnold. Patricia was the mother of Annabel Astor, Viscountess Astor, and the grandmother of Samantha Cameron, wife of former UK Prime Minister David Cameron. She later married The Hon Michael Astor, son of Waldorf Astor, 2nd Viscount Astor.

- Alice Devin Atalanta Clifford, born on 10 May 1932, who married multiple times: first to Richard Fairey in 1955, second to Wing Commander Timothy Ashmead Vigors in 1963 (from whom she was divorced), and third to Michael Henry Dennis Madden in 1972.

Clifford received numerous honours during his career. He was appointed Member of the Royal Victorian Order (MVO) on 18 August 1920 in recognition of his service as Military Secretary to the Governor-General of Australia, a commissioning that took place during King George VI’s visit. On 1 January 1924, he was made a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG) for his role as Secretary to the Governor-General of South Africa. He was appointed a Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB) on 1 January 1931 for his services as Imperial Secretary to the South African High Commission and Representative of the UK Government in the Union of South Africa. As Governor of the Bahamas, Clifford was promoted to Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG) on 3 June 1933. On 28 December 1944, he was appointed Knight of the Order of St John (KStJ), and on 1 January 1945, he was promoted to Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George (GCMG). He was also awarded the Legion of Merit by the United States.