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Name: VASEY, Ernest Albert KBE, CMG, Sir
Birth Date: 27 Aug 1901 Maryport, Cumbria
Death Date: 10 Jan 1984 Nairobi
First Date: 1937
Profession: In business in Nairobi before WW2. Along with a partner they owned and operated the local cinema. Min. for Finance and Devcelopment, Kenya. Member Legislative Council
Area: Nairobi
Married: 1. In Atcham 19 July 1923 Norah Mary Mitchell Smith b. 30 June 1901 Atcham, d. 2002 Mendip; 2. 1944 Hannah Rahel Strauss b. 18 Mar 1915 Bingen, Germany, d. 9 July 1981 Nairobi
Children: Paul Mitchell (4 Mar 1927 Atcham-26 Apr 2004 Mendip); Michael Richard (23 Jan 1946-1998 Newcastle upon Tyne)
Book Reference: ODNB, Daphne Ewings, Who's Who, Debrett, Karen 50, Colonial, EA & Rhodesia, Rhodesia, Harmony, Nicholls, Foster, Masonic, Web
School: Bromley National School, England (left school aged 12)
General Information:
Daphne Ewings - In the few years before the outbreak of WW2, business declined in the general depression and the partner absconded leaving Mr Vasey bankrupt. Mr Vasey accepted responsibility and set about restoring the status quo and vowed that ultimately all creditors would be paid. Indeed he achieved his goal and was discharged from bankruptcy. Back in business he progressed well and stood for Legco and was duly elected having secured the support and respect of the electorate. He was a man of very considerable acumen and his work in Legco demonstrated his command of fiscal affairs of which he became the leader and in due course was appointed Finance Member and Knighted, Sir Ernest. During the war he married Hanna, serving in the W.T.S.
Debrett - was a MLC, Kenya 1945-50, and Member for Health, Local Govt. and Education 1950-52, since when Member for Finance; Mayor of Nairobi 1941-2 and 1944-46
EA & Rhodesia - 3/12/59 - Sir Ernest Vasey, formerly Minister of Finance in Kenya, has been appointed Minister of Finance in Tanganyika. He takes up his new duties in January …. The appointment has met with widespread approval. Sir Ernest Vasey is 58, the son of a professional actress. His early years were spent travelling round England with a repertory company; his formal education ended when he was 12. He settled in Kenya in 1936. He went into business and held directorships in many industries, including manufacturing, hotel, cinema and brewing. In 1938 he became Town Councillor in Nairobi and served three times as mayor. He entered the Legislative Council in 1945 when he captured Nairobi North. Three years later he became first chairman of the non-official members' organization, and chairman of the European elected members. ………..
He was appointed CMG in 1945 and KBE in this years Birthday Honours.
Rhodesia - Minister for Finance and Development in Kenya since 1951, was first elected a member of the Legislative Council in 1945, having twice previously held the office of mayor of Nairobi. He was the first chairman of the Non-Official Members Organization of the Legislative Council, and was later chairman of the European Elected Members Organization. In 1950 he was appointed Member (Minister) for Health and Local Government, and the portfolio of Education was added soon afterwards. Before joining the Council of Ministers he was a director of many East African companies.
Member of Lodge Harmony - Initiated 3/6/46, age 43, Company Director, Nairobi, died Dec. 1983
Nicholls - WW2 - Other recreation was offered by the three cinemas - with E.A. Vasey, later a prominent politician, as the manager/doorman of one of them, the Empire.
Nicholls - Hannah Vasey, wife of Ernest, was barred from the same establishment [Nairobi Club] because of her German-Jewish ancestry.
Masonic - Chairman DBGP 1974
Masonic - Princ. Of the District Board of General Purposes - 1973-74
Web - President of Nairobi Rotary Club - 1949-50
Karen 50 - One of the original members of Karen Club in 1937
Gazette 17 Feb 1984 probate
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