MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
A true Islander dies in the Falklands.
Falklands' legend, Harold Theodore Rowlands C.B.E. who bestowed ?The Freedom of the Falklands' and an unexpected big kiss on the cheek of, ?the incomparable Mrs. Margaret Thatcher' in 1983 has died suddenly, aged 72.
He was born in 1931 and rose from the humble position of selling flour and sugar, over the counter, to customers visiting the West Store, to that of Colonial Treasurer (later titled Financial Secretary) and Commissioner for Taxation in 1972. After 40 years in Government he retired from Public Service in 1989.
Following the deportation of the Islands Governor Rex Hunt, First Secretary Michael Growcott and Chief Secretary Dick Baker by Argentine Military Forces in April 1982, Mr. Rowlands became the most senior Islander remaining in the civil Administration. He guided the small population through the very difficult times of 1982, and remained firm, despite frequent Argentine intimidation.
He was a third generation Islander. His grandfather, Swedish born Frank Rowlands, at the age of just 16 years, was ship wrecked on Speedwell Island in 1860, while working as a seaman. He later captained ships around the Falklands.
Nick-named ?Beethoven' by Argentine Officers, because of his heavy blonde hair and resemblance to the famous German composer, Harold Rowlands repeatedly found excuses not to open the Islands vaults when Colonel Chinni, the new Argentine Treasury chief, wanted to count the Colony's cash to ?see how many pesos it represented'. With the peso to pound rate then in the region of 12,000 for one pound, ?Beethoven' allegedly responded by saying that he was, ?too old to start thinking about so many noughts!
He was awarded an O.B.E. in the New Year Honors of 1978 but the higher decoration of C.B.E. was presented to him by Queen Elizabeth in 1988.
When he was first appointed Colonial Treasurer, the Falklands budget, which he managed, was around half a million pounds, but by 1988 it had risen to more than 30 millions, mainly due to income from fishing license revenue. He insisted that some of the new income be diverted into a Reserve fund and invested. This has now risen to around 150 millions pounds.
After retiring from Government he was elected to the Legislative Council with an overwhelming majority. However after completing his four years term, he stood down in 1993 and took no further part in Falklands' politics.
He began a long established rapport with British Forces of the Port Squadron soon after the Islands were liberated in 1982. A small slip-way positioned on the waterfront close to his home was used day and night as troops off-loaded materials as British Troops reinforced in the Islands. He fed the soldiers and offered them accommodation in his own home over many years. On 20th July 2002 the British Forces erected a special seat on the sea-front, bearing the inscription, Harold T. Rowlands, Presented by Port Troop, "20 years of friendship".
Such was his standing throughout the Falklands that many Islanders are flying their flags at half-mast, while official Government flags will fly at half-mast on the day of his funeral. He never married and is survived by his sister. Mr. Rowlands body was found close to his home. A pathologist from Britain will arrive in the Falklands later this week to conduct an autopsy.
Patrick Watts - MercoPress ? Stanley. Photo: Tony Chater.
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