Clifford Dupont
Encyclopedia
Clifford Walter Dupont, GCLM
ID
(6 December 1905 – 28 June 1978) was a British-born Rhodesian
politician who served in the internationally unrecognised positions of Officer Administrating the Government (from 1965 until 1970) and President
(from 1970 to 1975). Born in London and qualifying as a solicitor, Dupont served during the Second World War as an officer of the British Royal Artillery
in North Africa before first visiting Southern Rhodesia
in 1947. He returned a year later, started a ranch and emigrated full-time during the early 1950s, by which time the country had become a territory of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland
.
He entered politics in 1958, winning on the Dominion Party ticket in the Fort Victoria
(now Masvingo) federal constituency. Four years later, he became the member for Charter in the Southern Rhodesian parliament, this time running for the Rhodesian Front
(RF). At the same time, he was appointed Minister for Justice. Forming a close relationship with the rising RF politician Ian Smith
, Dupont assisted in the latter's becoming Prime Minister
in 1964 and was consequently promoted to become Smith's deputy. As Deputy Prime Minister, he held the portfolio of External Affairs, and added Defence in June 1965.
When Rhodesia's government issued the Unilateral Declaration of Independence from Britain on 11 November 1965, Dupont, as Deputy Prime Minister, was the second to sign. Smith attempted to replace the British-appointed governor – Humphrey Gibbs
– with Dupont (as Governor-General), but failing this instead made him Officer Administering the Government, a post he held until 1970, when he became President
of the newly-declared Republic of Rhodesia. After suffering from ill health during this last appointment, he retired at the end of 1975 and died in 1978.
and Clare College, Cambridge
where he read law. He qualified as a solicitor in 1929 and set up his own company in 1933.
Having served in the Royal Artillery
Officer Training Corps while at University, on the outbreak of World War II he was commissioned into the Artillery and served as an adjutant for a light anti-aircraft battalion. He served in North Africa and was on General Eisenhower
's staff during the liberation of Europe in 1944; he ended the war as a War Office official.
, returning in 1948. He bought land at Featherstone, south of Salisbury
(now Harare), which he turned into a successful cattle ranch. He emigrated full-time in the early 1950s – by which time the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland
had come into being, including Southern Rhodesia as a territory – but was not initially involved in politics. Tragedy struck him several times later in the decade: in 1957 his second wife died, and in 1958 his son and daughter were both killed in an air crash.
candidate and was rewarded with appointment as Minister of Justice in the RF government. However, Dupont was not pleased with the performance of the Prime Minister, Winston Field
, and after Field's failure to win independence from the United Kingdom in 1963 following the dissolution of the Central African Federation, he joined with the plotters who successfully overthrew Field and installed Ian Smith
as Prime Minister.
An approach to the British government requesting Dupont's appointment as Governor-General was rebuffed. Instead, Smith crafted a new post of Officer Administering the Government in which Dupont effectively replaced the Governor, Sir Humphrey Gibbs
, when formally appointed on 20 December. Opponents of UDI who considered it an illegal move, such as the Independent member of the Legislative Assembly Ahrn Palley
, refused to recognize Dupont's office.
on 14 April 1970. During the latter period of his term he suffered long bouts of ill health, and retired on 31 December 1975.
Legion of Merit (Rhodesia)
The Legion of Merit was a Rhodesian order of merit awarded to both civilian and military recipients for service to Rhodesia.- Institution :The award was instituted in 1970 by Presidential Warrant, the first awards being made the same year. The last awards were made in June 1980. The civil class...
ID
Independence Decoration (Rhodesia)
The Independence Decoration was a Rhodesian civil decoration awarded to persons who played a notable and significant part in the Unilateral Declaration of Independence in 1965.- Institution :...
(6 December 1905 – 28 June 1978) was a British-born Rhodesian
Rhodesia
Rhodesia , officially the Republic of Rhodesia from 1970, was an unrecognised state located in southern Africa that existed between 1965 and 1979 following its Unilateral Declaration of Independence from the United Kingdom on 11 November 1965...
politician who served in the internationally unrecognised positions of Officer Administrating the Government (from 1965 until 1970) and President
President of Rhodesia
The position of President of Rhodesia was the nominal head of state of Rhodesia from 1970 to 1979. As with Rhodesia itself, the position lacked international recognition for the entire period. The position of president, however, was mostly symbolic, and Rhodesia never had a presidential system of...
(from 1970 to 1975). Born in London and qualifying as a solicitor, Dupont served during the Second World War as an officer of the British Royal Artillery
Royal Artillery
The Royal Regiment of Artillery, commonly referred to as the Royal Artillery , is the artillery arm of the British Army. Despite its name, it comprises a number of regiments.-History:...
in North Africa before first visiting Southern Rhodesia
Southern Rhodesia
Southern Rhodesia was the name of the British colony situated north of the Limpopo River and the Union of South Africa. From its independence in 1965 until its extinction in 1980, it was known as Rhodesia...
in 1947. He returned a year later, started a ranch and emigrated full-time during the early 1950s, by which time the country had become a territory of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland
Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland
The Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, also known as the Central African Federation , was a semi-independent state in southern Africa that existed from 1953 to the end of 1963, comprising the former self-governing colony of Southern Rhodesia and the British protectorates of Northern Rhodesia,...
.
He entered politics in 1958, winning on the Dominion Party ticket in the Fort Victoria
Masvingo
Masvingo is a town in south-eastern Zimbabwe and the capital of Masvingo Province. The town is close to Great Zimbabwe, the national monument from which the country takes its name.- History :...
(now Masvingo) federal constituency. Four years later, he became the member for Charter in the Southern Rhodesian parliament, this time running for the Rhodesian Front
Rhodesian Front
The Rhodesian Front was a political party in Southern Rhodesia when the country was under white minority rule. Led first by Winston Field, and, from 1964, by Ian Smith, the Rhodesian Front was the successor to the Dominion Party, which was the main opposition party in Southern Rhodesia during the...
(RF). At the same time, he was appointed Minister for Justice. Forming a close relationship with the rising RF politician Ian Smith
Ian Smith
Ian Douglas Smith GCLM ID was a politician active in the government of Southern Rhodesia, the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, Rhodesia, Zimbabwe Rhodesia and Zimbabwe from 1948 to 1987, most notably serving as Prime Minister of Rhodesia from 13 April 1964 to 1 June 1979...
, Dupont assisted in the latter's becoming Prime Minister
Prime Minister of Rhodesia
The Prime Minister of Rhodesia was the head of government in the colony of Rhodesia. Rhodesia's political system was modelled on the Westminster system and the Prime Minister's role was similar to that of the same position in other countries such as the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New...
in 1964 and was consequently promoted to become Smith's deputy. As Deputy Prime Minister, he held the portfolio of External Affairs, and added Defence in June 1965.
When Rhodesia's government issued the Unilateral Declaration of Independence from Britain on 11 November 1965, Dupont, as Deputy Prime Minister, was the second to sign. Smith attempted to replace the British-appointed governor – Humphrey Gibbs
Humphrey Gibbs
Sir Humphrey Vicary Gibbs, GCVO, KCMG, OBE was the penultimate Governor of the colony of Southern Rhodesia who served through, and opposed, the Unilateral Declaration of Independence in 1965....
– with Dupont (as Governor-General), but failing this instead made him Officer Administering the Government, a post he held until 1970, when he became President
President of Rhodesia
The position of President of Rhodesia was the nominal head of state of Rhodesia from 1970 to 1979. As with Rhodesia itself, the position lacked international recognition for the entire period. The position of president, however, was mostly symbolic, and Rhodesia never had a presidential system of...
of the newly-declared Republic of Rhodesia. After suffering from ill health during this last appointment, he retired at the end of 1975 and died in 1978.
Early life
Of Huguenot ancestry, Dupont was born in London on 6 December 1905, into a family which consisted of two older brothers and an elder, and subsequently a younger, sister. His father founded a commercial firm dealing largely in the "rag trade". Clifford himself was educated at Bishop's Stortford CollegeBishop's Stortford College
Bishop's Stortford College is a co-educational independent school for day and boarding pupils from the ages of four to eighteen, with a campus located on the edge of Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire, England...
and Clare College, Cambridge
Clare College, Cambridge
Clare College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge in Cambridge, England.The college was founded in 1326, making it the second-oldest surviving college of the University after Peterhouse. Clare is famous for its chapel choir and for its gardens on "the Backs"...
where he read law. He qualified as a solicitor in 1929 and set up his own company in 1933.
Having served in the Royal Artillery
Royal Artillery
The Royal Regiment of Artillery, commonly referred to as the Royal Artillery , is the artillery arm of the British Army. Despite its name, it comprises a number of regiments.-History:...
Officer Training Corps while at University, on the outbreak of World War II he was commissioned into the Artillery and served as an adjutant for a light anti-aircraft battalion. He served in North Africa and was on General Eisenhower
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Dwight David "Ike" Eisenhower was the 34th President of the United States, from 1953 until 1961. He was a five-star general in the United States Army...
's staff during the liberation of Europe in 1944; he ended the war as a War Office official.
Move to Rhodesia
In 1947 Dupont briefly visited Southern RhodesiaSouthern Rhodesia
Southern Rhodesia was the name of the British colony situated north of the Limpopo River and the Union of South Africa. From its independence in 1965 until its extinction in 1980, it was known as Rhodesia...
, returning in 1948. He bought land at Featherstone, south of Salisbury
Harare
Harare before 1982 known as Salisbury) is the largest city and capital of Zimbabwe. It has an estimated population of 1,600,000, with 2,800,000 in its metropolitan area . Administratively, Harare is an independent city equivalent to a province. It is Zimbabwe's largest city and its...
(now Harare), which he turned into a successful cattle ranch. He emigrated full-time in the early 1950s – by which time the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland
Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland
The Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, also known as the Central African Federation , was a semi-independent state in southern Africa that existed from 1953 to the end of 1963, comprising the former self-governing colony of Southern Rhodesia and the British protectorates of Northern Rhodesia,...
had come into being, including Southern Rhodesia as a territory – but was not initially involved in politics. Tragedy struck him several times later in the decade: in 1957 his second wife died, and in 1958 his son and daughter were both killed in an air crash.
Politics
At the Federal election in 1958, Dupont became the Dominion Party candidate for Fort Victoria. In the 1962 general election in Rhodesia, he won the Charter constituency as a Rhodesian FrontRhodesian Front
The Rhodesian Front was a political party in Southern Rhodesia when the country was under white minority rule. Led first by Winston Field, and, from 1964, by Ian Smith, the Rhodesian Front was the successor to the Dominion Party, which was the main opposition party in Southern Rhodesia during the...
candidate and was rewarded with appointment as Minister of Justice in the RF government. However, Dupont was not pleased with the performance of the Prime Minister, Winston Field
Winston Field
Winston Joseph Field MBE was a Rhodesian politician. Field was a former Dominion Party MP who founded the Rhodesian Front political party with Ian Douglas Smith. Field was born and brought up in Bromsgrove in the United Kingdom, and moved to Southern Rhodesia in 1921...
, and after Field's failure to win independence from the United Kingdom in 1963 following the dissolution of the Central African Federation, he joined with the plotters who successfully overthrew Field and installed Ian Smith
Ian Smith
Ian Douglas Smith GCLM ID was a politician active in the government of Southern Rhodesia, the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, Rhodesia, Zimbabwe Rhodesia and Zimbabwe from 1948 to 1987, most notably serving as Prime Minister of Rhodesia from 13 April 1964 to 1 June 1979...
as Prime Minister.
UDI role
From August 1964 Dupont was Deputy Prime Minister of Rhodesia, and served as Smith's Minister of External Affairs (adding also the Defence portfolio from June 1965). When Smith issued the Unilateral Declaration of Independence on 11 November 1965 (with Dupont as the second signatory to the UDI document), he decided that Dupont should take over as the Queen's representative.An approach to the British government requesting Dupont's appointment as Governor-General was rebuffed. Instead, Smith crafted a new post of Officer Administering the Government in which Dupont effectively replaced the Governor, Sir Humphrey Gibbs
Humphrey Gibbs
Sir Humphrey Vicary Gibbs, GCVO, KCMG, OBE was the penultimate Governor of the colony of Southern Rhodesia who served through, and opposed, the Unilateral Declaration of Independence in 1965....
, when formally appointed on 20 December. Opponents of UDI who considered it an illegal move, such as the Independent member of the Legislative Assembly Ahrn Palley
Ahrn Palley
Dr. Ahrn Palley was an independent politician in Rhodesia who criticized the Smith administration and the Unilateral Declaration of Independence...
, refused to recognize Dupont's office.
Presidency
It therefore fell to Dupont to sign the papers to dissolve the Rhodesia Legislative Assembly in March 1970 and to issue the proclamation summoning a new House of Assembly under a constitution which severed Rhodesia's links with Britain. When Rhodesia was formally declared a republic, Dupont was named as PresidentPresident of Rhodesia
The position of President of Rhodesia was the nominal head of state of Rhodesia from 1970 to 1979. As with Rhodesia itself, the position lacked international recognition for the entire period. The position of president, however, was mostly symbolic, and Rhodesia never had a presidential system of...
on 14 April 1970. During the latter period of his term he suffered long bouts of ill health, and retired on 31 December 1975.
Personal life
Dupont initially married in London in 1933 to Barbara (Barbie). They divorced in 1942. He and Barbie had two children; Hilary and Graham. Graham died in childhood in England 1942. In 1946 he married his second wife Betty 'Timmy' Wood in Kensington Registry Office. 'Timmy' was 15 years his junior. In 1947 they had son, Stephen. Betty 'Timmy' died in 1957 in Salisbury, and is buried in Warren Hills. In 1958, his two children, Hilary and Stephen were killed in a plane crash.External links
- http://rulers.org/rulyz.html#zimbabwe