The Scent of Eucalyptus: A Journal of Colonial and Foreign Service - Tapa dura

In the course of a long career in the British diplomatic service. Richard Posnett was appointed District Officer at a remote outpost in rural Uganda during World War II and went on to become the Governor of Belize. This is a graphic account of his life and work. At a time of rapid change in Africa, tragic developments in neighbouring Rwanda and Congo, and political upheaval in Uganda, he organized the celebrations of Uganda's independence before setting up that country's new Foreign Service. Moving to the Foreign Office in London, he records his experiences as a diplomat at the UN in New York and on a mission to the Pacific islands; he also gives an account of his term as Commissioner in Anguilla, which was at the time resisting rule for St Kitts. Appointed Governor of Belize, under threat of invasion from Guatemala, he tells of dramatic events - meteorological and political - in Central America. Later missions to Ocean Island, Dominica and the Solomon Islands illustrate the problems of small island territories. Given the unique opportunity to return to Uganda at Idi Amin's defeat by the Tanzanian army, Posnett paints a vivid picture of the turbulent events that followed. After retiring from the Diplomatic Service, he was recalled to serve as Governor of Bermuda before a nostalgic return to his birthplace in India.

Sir Richard Posnett's long and distinguished career of overseas service began as a District Officer in Uganda where he rose to head the new Foreign Service in independence and later returned as British High Commisioner. He also served at the United Nations. In the Pacific and in the West Indies became Govenor of Belize and then Bermuda. David Owen, the former Foreign Secretary is a Doctor of Medicine, politician, statesman and author.