Kenneth Bain

My project “Building the Wave” began in 2008 soon after I moved to the (British) Virgin Islands. Inevitably this meant that some of the people who would fall into my category of ‘builders before the wave’ were not available for interview for a number of reasons. Once such person is Kenneth Bain who was Financial Secretary in the BVI from 1980-85, and acted as Deputy Governor for a short time. Fortunately Mr. Bain has written several books and these contain as he put it to me, “all he wants to say about himself.”  He has lived at least part-time in the BVI since1980. Most of the following information comes from his book “Treasured Islands: The British Virgin Islands and Beyond.”  (Roadtown: PanOrama Publishing) 2002. It is a very well written and interesting book and gives great insights into the BVI over the past thirty years, having successfully “charted a passage through the minefield of BVI society” – even discussing such controversial topics as the “Sleaze Factor” and “Immigration”.

Kenneth Bain was born in New Zealand in 1923 and spent his working life in what was then called ‘colonial service’. He worked in Palestine soon after the Second World War, as well as Fiji, Tonga, Pitcairn, and the British Virgin Islands. The island theme in his life is reflected in his book title (above). He arrived at Beef Island Airport in late July1980 on Air BVI and crossed the then toll Queen Elizabeth Bridge to Tortola, to take up the post of Financial Secretary. On the wall of his office he found a notice containing what is still my favourite BVI saying: "You may be normal when you come here, but you won't be when you leave." Coming when he did, Mr. Bain has seen most of the major changes that have taken place in the BVI in recent years. And he actively participated in many of these developments, such as the charter boat industry and financial services. He served under Chief Ministers such as Lavity Stoutt and Cyril Romney. An Honourary Belonger, Kenneth Bain retired in July 1985, and lives on Slaney Hill, Tortola, BVI, and in Sevenoaks, Kent, UK.
 

Draft of April 7th, 2010

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