Gawain Bell

Sir Gawain Bell
Seal of the Governor of Northern Nigeria
Governor of Northern Nigeria
In office 2 December 1957 – 1962
Preceded by	Sir Bryan Sharwood-Smith
Succeeded by	Alhaji Sir Kashim Ibrahim
Personal details
Born	(1909-01-21)21 January 1909 Cape Town, South Africa
Died	26 July 1995(1995-07-26) (aged 86)

Sir Gawain Westray Bell KCMG CBE (21 January 1909 – 26 July 1995) was a British colonial administrator who became the Governor of Northern Nigeria.

Bell was born in Cape Town, South Africa to an executive of the New Zealand Shipping Company. At 10, his family moved back to Cumberland, England where he attended the Dragon School, Oxford, Winchester College and Hertford College, Oxford.

In 1931, Bell entered the Sudan Political Service, where he learned Arabic. His postings included Eastern Sudan, the Nuba Mountains, and Kurdofan.

In 1938, Bell was seconded to the Government of Palestine where he worked with the police in Gaza. He eventually became commander of the Beersheba Camel Gendarmerie.

Bell volunteered for service in the Second World War. Bell rode horseback with an irregular force of Druze cavalry, and participated in the capture of Suweida from the Vichy French. He became a regiment leader of the Arab Legion and was appointed MBE (military) in the 1942 New Year Honours. In 1945, he married Silvia Cornwell-Clyne.