Sir Bernard Rawdon Reilly

Of all the Residents in Aden Reilly had a CV that was completely different to any of his predecessors. Born in 1882 he joined the Indian Army 20 years later and transferred to the Political Department in 1908. So far nothing different, but what was to single him out was that he spent most of his subsequent career in Aden, and as an administrator rather than in a military capacity.

He was definitely there by 1912 and was still there in July 1914. He was not in Aden a year later at the time of the fiasco at Lahej in 1915, but he was back sometime prior to February 1917. He then remained in Aden for at least the next nine years. In 1918 he was appointed OBE and in 1926 CIE, on both occasions for his work in Aden. He had left before June 1927 and may well not have returned before being appointed Resident on 7 March 1931, in the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He was appointed KCMG is 1934.

In 1932 when the administration of Aden was transferred from Bombay to the Governor-General of India in Council, Aden became a Chief-Commissionership and Colonel Reilly became it's  Chief Commissioner.

 

On 1st April 1937 when Aden became a Crown Colony his title changed again to that of Governor, a position he maintained till 24th October 1940. His overall 9-year role as Britain's most senior representative was second only in length of term to that of Commander Stafford Haines.

Col. Bernard Reilly, formerly of the Indian Political Department, had already served many years in Aden, latterly as First Assistant, when he succeeded the Resident, Sir Stewart Symes in 1931. His long association with South Arabia and his understanding of the people were to serve him well and prove beneficial to the colony.

During WW2 he worked in the Colonial Office and after the war in 1946-47 he was head of  the War Office working party sent to advise on the British Military Administration of the former Italian colonies of Eritrea and Somalia. He continued as a ‘consultant’ to the Colonial Office until 1961, when he was almost 80!