Background
A direct descendant of John Scandrett Harford of Blaise Castle, he was educated at Repton School and Balliol College, Oxford.
A direct descendant of John Scandrett Harford of Blaise Castle, he was educated at Repton School and Balliol College, Oxford.
Balliol College.
Between school and university he enlisted as a Second Lieutenant in 2nd Battalion Essex Regiment and saw action in France between 1917 and 1918. After a period as a schoolmaster at Eton College from 1922 to 1926, Harford joined the Colonial Administration Service and was posted to Nigeria (1926–1934). He was subsequently appointed:
Administrator of Antigua and Federal Secretary of the Leeward Islands (1936–1940);
Administrator of Saint Kitts and Nevis (1940–1946);
Acting Governor of the Leeward Islands (various periods between 1937 and 1946);
To serve in the Colonial Office (1946–1947);
Colonial Secretary of Mauritius (1948–1953);
Acting Governor of Mauritius (1948 and 1950);
Governor and Commander-in-Chief of Saint Helena (1954–1958);
Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (1956).
Harford Middle School in Saint Helena is named in his honour.
(14 March 1932) to Countess Thelma Alberta Louisa Evelyne Metaxà (died 22 October 1934), sister of 9th Count Metaxà, and only daughter of Count Andrea Francis Albert Cochrane Metaxà RNR. 1 son. (20 February 1937) to Lilias Madeline (died 9 December 2006), eldest daughter of Major Archibald Campbell Atomic Energy Commission.
2 daughters.