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Name: SINCLAIR, John Houston CMG, CBE

Birth Date: 6.12.1869 Brading, Isle of Wight

Death Date: 17.8.1961 Tangier

Nationality: British

First Date: 1896 after 3 years in the Colonial Audit Dept.

Profession: Auditor, then in 1890 transferred to the Consular Service and was posted to Zanzibar. Prepared plans for the building of the Residency, but also served for 24 years as Vice-Consul, Consul, Consul-General and British Agent

Area: Zanzibar, Mombasa

Married: In Norton, Radnorshire 29.4.1902 Muriel Evelyn Kathleen Cockburn b. 1877 Guildford, d. 5 June 1952 Tangier (sister of Ethel Cockburn)

Children: Katharine Theodosia (Codrington) (28.12.1904 Isle of Wight-6 Nov 2001 Leicester); Barbara Jean (7 Mar 1911 Zanzibar-12 Oct 1943 London)

Author: 'Laws of Zanzibar'

Book Reference: Gillett, Random, Kenya Diary, Tucker, Debrett, EAHB 1905, EAS, North, Drumkey, Red 22, EAHB 1906, EA Diary 1903, EAHB 1904, Foster

War Service: During WW1 was in command of Zanzibar Defence Force

School: Locally - Isle of Wight, learnt architecture in a local office

General Information:

From 1914-19 he was Chief Secretary to the Government in Zanzibar. A keen sportsman, particularly good at polo, tennis and golf. Helped Eleanor Cole with plans for the building of the Church of Goodwill.
Kenya Diary - Jan. 1903 - I arrived in Zanzibar ..... to recoup after breaking three ribs from a fall off my pony. Am staying with Sinclair, who took me round this afternoon to see the famous slave raider Tippoo Tib, a very old man. He is not allowed to leave Zanzibar nor does he want to ..…..

Tucker - Hannington Memorial Church in Mombasa - Mr Sinclair of HM's Consular Service - a skilful architect - most kindly sketched out a plan.

Debrett - appointed Govt. Auditor, EA Protectorate 1896, Vice-Consul at Zanzibar 1899, Acting Agent and Consul-Gen there 1903, Consul 1906, again Acting Agent and Consul-Gen 1906, 1908, 1911 and 1913, Ch. Sec. Zanzibar 1914 and British Resident there 1921 (Acting High Commr. 1921 and 1923); retired 1923; has 1st Class of Order of Star of Zanzibar and Silver Jubilee Medal 1935

EAHB 1905 - Officer of IBEA Co. who served in EA as Local Auditor - transferred to Zanzibar

The African Standard - 26-2-1903 - Invited to the wedding of H.R. Phelips & Miss Jacquette Edith Lambe in Mombasa (Mr & Mrs Sinclair)

North - Designed many of the public buildings in Zanzibar including the Law Courts, the British Consulate & Government House

Foster - All Saints - Nairobi 1902 - A plan for the Church submitted by Mr Sinclair was turned down as being too lavish and expensive and with too little accommodation.

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