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FOOTPRINTS IN THE DUST to end of Empire and beyond Print E-mail
Written by Philip Howard Edwards   
Saturday, 23 May 2009 05:15

Some years ago my two children and others persuaded their Grandfather Ian Mackinson to "jot down" his memories of what has been a remarkable life.This project grew and grew until suddenly it became a book which Ian had published, privately, for members of the family and friends.

His story begins in 1940, when he was thirteen and the destruction of his home in London by German bombers in the blitz of World War 2. The story unfolds with growing up in rural Suffolk. A RAF Scholarship to Oxford and on to pilot training in Southern Rhodesia and a return to Oxford when he left the RAF. Marrying his childhood sweetheart, he talks of joining H M Colonial Administrative Service in 1951 and the 19 years he spent in Northern Rhodesia /Zambia from 1952 to 1971, raising a family of 3

Until 1964 Ian was a District Officer serving in places like Mongu Lealui, Mankoya, Senanga, Namushakende, Fort Roseberry and Mpika.

For those of you who have read "Africa House" Ian is the artist made mention of, who was responsible for the portrait of Sir Stewart Gore Brown, which appears in this book. After independence he was the first Principal of the National Institute of Public Administration in Lusaka. He spent 6 years in Swaziland as Director of Government Management Services, 5 years as advisor to the President of the Seychelles and later de facto Head of their Civil Service, during the abortive coup.

After 31 years overseas Ian spent the next 17 years as a independent public management consultant visiting 24 countries in the developing world, former Soviet Union, Eastern Europe and the Middle East.

Ian retired to Nursling near Southampton in Hampshire, England in 2000

He and Barbara have just celebrated their 60th Wedding Aniversary

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