South Georgia and the 
South Sandwich Islands
 

14 Feb 1992 - 25 Jan 1999 State Ensign? 14 Feb 1992 - 25 Jan 1999 Adopted 25 Jan 1999 Map of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Hear National Anthem "God Save the King"  Text of National Anthem Constitution Order (3 Oct 1985) Capital: Grytviken (Grytviken 16 Nov 1904-17 Sep 1912; King Edward Point 17 Sep 1912 - 17 Oct 1977) Currency: British Pound (GBP); and (to 31 Oct 2024) Falkland Islands Pound (FKP) National Holiday:  2nd Sat. in Jun (1948) Birthday of King Charles III ---------------------------------------- Local Holidays: 17 Jan (1775) Possession Day & 25 Apr (1982) Liberation Day Population: 22 scientists (2020)  (no permanent inhabitants) 720 (1909) GDP: $N/A The islands receive income from postage stamps produced in the UK, the sale of fishing licenses, and harbor and landing fees from tourist vessels. Tourism from specialized cruise ships is increasing rapidly. Revenues of £4.5 million (2011) Exports: $N/A Imports: $N/A Some fishing takes place in adjacent waters. Harvesting finfish and krill are potential sources of income. Ethnic groups: British (no indigenous inhabitants) Total Active Armed Forces: None (small military garrison withdrawn Mar 2001) Defense is the Responsibility of U.K. Merchant marine: None (2025) Religions: N/A International Organizations/Treaties: UPU South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Chronology Apr 1675                   South Georgia discovered by the English merchant                              Anthony (Antoine) de la Roché (Roche) and later is                              named Roche Island. 29 Jun 1756                South Georgia sighted and named Isla San Pedro by                              the Spanish Capt. Gregorio Jerez aboard the León. 17 Jan 1775                South Georgia claimed for U.K. by Capt. James Cook                              (b. 1728 - d. 1779), on HMS Resolution, who makes                              the first recorded landing. He names South Georgia                              as Isle of Georgia for King George III. 30 Jan 1786                Capt. James Cook (s.a.) discovers the Sandwich                              Islands Group, which he names Sandwich Land,                              after John Montagu, Earl of Sandwich the First                              Lord of the Admiralty. 27 Dec 1819                Russian explorer Faddey Bellinsgauzen (Fabian                              Gottlieb von Bellingshausen) sights South Georgia. 23 Jun 1843                Nominally included within the dependencies of the                              Falkland Islands colony (see Falkland Islands)                              letters patent, but the extent is undefined                              (letters patent 1843, 1876, 1892). 20 Aug 1882 -  6 Sep 1883  The German International Polar Year Expedition                              remains for more than a year at Royal Bay, South                              Georgia. 16 Nov 1904                Grytviken founded as a permanent whaling station for                              Compañía Argentina de Pesca S.A. by Norwegian                              Capt. Carl Anton Larsen (b. 1860 - d. 1924),                              operating from 22 Dec. Jan 1905                   Larsen establishes a meteorological station. 10 Nov 1906                The Fridtjof Nansen is wrecked at South Georgia with                              the loss of 9 lives. 20/24 Dec 1907             Whaling stations are established at Stromness and                              Husvik harbors respectively, in Stromness Bay.  1 Sep 1908                South Orkney Islands, the South Shetlands,                              Sandwich Islands, and Graham Land (in Antarctic                              mainland territory) incorporated by U.K. as the                              Dependencies of Falklands; governor of the                              Falklands made Governor (by Letters Patent of                              21 Jul 1908 effective on publication in                              Falklands). Nov 1909                   Another whaling station established at Leith Harbor. 17 Sep 1912                The center of administration is moved from Grytviken                              to King Edward Point. 20 May 1916                Sir Ernest Henry Shackleton (b. 1874 - d. 1922)                              reaches a whaling station at Stromness, South                              Georgia, following a landing at King Haakon Bay in                              the lifeboat James Caird on 18 May 1916, after the                              sinking of the ship Endurance in the Weddell Sea                              off Antarctica on 21 Nov 1915 (which leads to the                              rescue of the remaining crew on Elephant Island on                              30 Aug 1916). 28 Mar 1917                Falklands Islands Dependencies extent specified as                              "all islands and territories whatsoever" between                              20°-50°W and S of 50°S as well as between 50°-80°                              W and S of 58°S claimed as part of Falklands (by                              Letters Patent for the Further Definition and                              Administration of Certain Islands and Territories                              as Dependencies of the Colony of the Falkland                              Islands). 1918 - 1919                Some Russian employees of Grytviken reportedly                              agitate for South Georgia to become the second                              Bolshevik republic (to no effect).  5 Jan 1922                Sir Ernest Shackleton dies aboard Quest while at                              anchor at Grytviken. Jan 1925                   U.K. establishes a laboratory at King Edward Point,                              as part of the Discovery Expedition.  8 Sep 1927                South Orkney (again 20 Jan 1928) and South Georgia                              claimed by Argentina by note to the UPU (to no                              effect). 22 Sep 1938                South Sandwich Islands are claimed by Argentina. 24 Dec 1949                Falkland Islands Dependencies Survey (FIDS)                              activities are extended to South Georgia.  4 May 1955                U.K. unilaterally submits the dispute over                              sovereignty to the International Court of Justice                              (ICJ). The court decides not to hear the                              application in view of Argentina's refusal to                              submit to the court's jurisdiction. 24 Nov 1957                Bird Island station is established on South Georgia. 1960                       The Compañía Argentina de Pesca sells the Grytviken                              whaling station to Albion Star Ltd., registered in                              the Falkland Islands.  3 Mar 1962                South Orkney Islands and South Shetland Islands                              transferred to British Antarctic Territory (by                              British Antarctic Territory Order in Council 1962,                              S.I. 1962 No. 400 of 26 Feb 1962).  4 Dec 1964                Whaling at Grytviken ends. The last whaling, at                              Leith Harbor finishes 15 Dec 1965. Caretakers                              remain at Leith Harbor to 15 Jan 1966 and at                              Grytviken to 15 Apr 1971, after which the stations                              are abandoned. 13 Nov 1969                Civil administration withdrawn; Base Commanders of                              Edward Point Research Station of the British                              Antarctic Survey becomes the magistrate.  7 Aug 1976 - 20 Jun 1982  Argentinians occupy Southern Thule in the previously                              uninhabited South Sandwich Islands. This is the                              subject of a British diplomatic protest on 19 Jan                              1977. 17 Oct 1977                The King Edward Point station is renamed Grytviken.  3 Apr 1982 - 25 Apr 1982  South Georgia occupied by Argentina (named Islas                              Georgias del Sur y Islas Orcadas del Sur), part                              of the Military Government of the Malvinas, South                              Georgia & South Sandwich Islands (see Falklands). 20 Jun 1982                Argentine personnel in the South Sandwich Islands                              are removed by British forces.  3 Oct 1985                South Georgia (area between 20-50°W and 50-60°S),                              separated from Falklands; Falklands governor made                              Commissioner (by South Georgia and South Sandwich                              Islands Order 1985 of 20 Mar 1985)(British                              Overseas Territories of South Georgia and the                              South Sandwich Islands)(SGSSI). May 1993                   In response to the Argentine government's decision                              to commence the sale of fishing licenses for the                              region's waters, the U.K. government announces an                              extension, from 12 to 200 nautical miles, of its                              territorial jurisdiction in the waters surrounding                              the islands, in order to conserve crucial fishing                              stocks. 21 Mar 2001                U.K. garrison withdrawn; Base Commanders of Edward                              Point Research Station of the British Antarctic                              Survey hold power of magistrate. 21 May 2002                Permanent residents become citizens of the U.K. 29 Feb 2012                South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands'                              territorial waters designated a Marine Protected                              Area (MPA), in an effort to conserve maritime                              biodiversity. 27 Mar 2015                The territory becomes a signatory to the Convention                              on Biological Diversity. 29 May 2019                An enhanced MPA is signed into law; "No-Take Zones"                             (areas in which commercial fishing activity is                              banned) are enlarged to cover 23% of the MPA, in                              order to protect fish stocks.  5 Jul 2022                U.K. government announces that the entire landmass                              of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands                              are designated as a Terrestrial Protected Area. 22 Apr 2025                New marine protection measures extend No-Take Zones                              to cover 38% of the MPA.  Corbeta Uruguay (South Thule) (1977-1982) South Georgia Gazette

Governors
 1 Sep 1908 -  3 Oct 1985  the governors of Falkland Islands
Commissioners for South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
 3 Oct 1985 -              the governors of Falkland Islands
Chief Executive Officers, Government of South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands
16 Jul 2007 -  8 May 2009  Harriet Hall (f)                   (b. 1969)
 8 May 2009 -  3 Aug 2015  Martin Anthony Collins
 3 Aug 2015 - 22 Jun 2018  James Graham Jansen
22 Jun 2018 - Jul 2021     Helen Jane Havercroft (f)
Jul 2021 -                 Laura Sinclair-Willis (f)          (b. 1982?)

Stipendiary Magistrates (at King Edward Point)
30 Nov 1909 - 19 Oct 1914  James Innes Wilson                 (b. 1882 - d. 1940)
20 Oct 1914 - 31 Mar 1927  Edward Beveridge Binnie            (b. 1884 – d. 1956)
 1 Apr 1927 - 22 Aug 1927  William Barlas (1st time)(acting)  (b. 1888 - d. 1941)
22 Aug 1927 - 24 Nov 1927  Frederick Black Alison             (b. 1893 - d. 1970)
24 Nov 1927 -  2 Sep 1941  William Barlas (2nd time)          (s.a.)
                             (acting to 24 Nov 1927)
 2 Sep 1941 - 17 Apr 1942  Vacant
17 Apr 1942 - 15 Mar 1951  Arthur Isadore Fleuret             (b. 1899 - d. 1987)
15 Mar 1951 - 19 Apr 1954  Kenelm Somerset Priaulx Pierce     (b. 1917 - d. 1995)
                             Butler
20 Apr 1954 -  3 Apr 1957  Robert Edward Spivey               (b. 1921 - d. 1994)
 4 Apr 1957 - 25 Jun 1959  John Walter Matthew                (b. 1923 - d. 2003)
26 Jun 1959 - 13 Nov 1969  Dennis Joseph Coleman              (b. 1915 - d. 1990)
Magistrates (and Base Commanders of British Antarctic Survey King Edward Point Research Station; [Grytviken 17 Oct 1977–1982])
13 Nov 1969 - 1970         Eric James Chinn                   (b. 1934 - d. 2012)
1970 - 1971                Brian Jones
1971 - 1972                Jeremy Robin Biscoe Tallowin       (b. 1948)
1972 - 1973                Andrew Stuart Ferguson             (b. 1948)
1973 - 1974                Michael Raymond Pawley
1974 - 1975                Michael Raymond Pawley
                           + John Hall
1975 - 1976                Michael Raymond Pawley
                           + David Michael Burkitt
1976 - 1977                Michael Raymond Pawley
                           + David John Orchard               (b. 1947)
1977 - 1978                Michael Raymond Pawley
                           + Martin John Baker
1978 - 1979                Michael Raymond Pawley
                           + Mark Peter David Lewis
1979 - 1980                Michael Raymond Pawley
                           + Derek William Hamilton
1980 -  3 Apr 1982         Peter Richard Witty (to Feb 1982)
                           + Stephen John Martin
British Commander (of the 22nd Royal Marines) 
 1 Apr 1982 -  3 Apr 1982  Keith Paul Mills                   (b. 1959)
Argentine Commandant   
 3 Apr 1982 - 25 Apr 1982  Luis Carlos Lagos
British Commander, Task Group 317.9
25 Apr 1982 -  2 May 1982  Brian Gilmore Young                (b. 1930 - d. 2009)
Magistrates (and British Officers Commanding the Troops, South Georgia)
 2 May 1982 -  9 Jul 1982  Paul Juleff
 9 Jul 1982 -  7 Sep 1982  Jeremy Robert Edward Campbell-     (b. 1957)
                             Lamerton
 7 Sep 1982 -  7 Dec 1982  Marcus Braithwaite-Exley           (b. 1956)
Dec 1982 - Apr 1983        ....
Apr 1983 - Aug 1983        ....
Aug 1983 -  1 Dec 1983     Robert David Bruce       
 1 Dec 1983 - 21 Mar 1984  Marius Dale Coulon                 (b. 1955)
21 Mar 1984 -  7 Jul 1984  John Rhind
 7 Jul 1984 - 19 Oct 1984  Peter Edwin Duncan Hicks           (b. 1953) 
19 Oct 1984 - 19 Feb 1985  Christopher James Mieville
19 Feb 1985 - 21 Jun 1985  Gwynfryn Iain Davies
21 Jun 1985 - 18 Oct 1985  John Badgery   
18 Oct 1985 - 14 Feb 1986  Robert William Wilby (1st time)    (b. 1954)
14 Feb 1986 - 17 Jun 1986  Richard Hingston Coleman
17 Jun 1986 - 25 Jun 1986  John Anthony Bleakley              (b. 1948)
25 Jun 1986 - 16 Oct 1986  John Timothy David
16 Oct 1986 - 12 Feb 1987  Andrew John Noble Graham           (b. 1956)
12 Feb 1987 - 24 Jun 1987  Gavin Robert Gryffydh Howard       (b. 1956)
24 Jun 1987 - 19 Oct 1987  Anthony John Trevis
19 Oct 1987 - 18 Feb 1988  David William Brown
18 Feb 1988 - 16 Jun 1988  Graham Whitmore                    (b. 1956)
16 Jun 1988 - 22 Oct 1988  Philip Mark David Harris
22 Oct 1988 - 23 Feb 1989  Philip Francis Andrew Jennings
23 Feb 1989 - 23 Jun 1989  Frank Morgan Philip
23 Jun 1989 - 27 Oct 1989  Richard James Clements
27 Oct 1989 - 23 Feb 1990  Matthew Phillip James O'Hanlon     (b. 1959)
23 Feb 1990 - Jun 1990     Paul Ronald Stuart Bailey          (b. 1954)
Jun 1990 - 29 Oct 1990     Rodney Blake Harward
29 Oct 1990 -  4 Mar 1991  Peter Zygmunt Michael Krasinski    (b. 1961) 
 4 Mar 1991 -  3 Jul 1991  Robert William Wilby (2nd time)    (s.a.)
 3 Jul 1991 -  2 Nov 1991  Ian David Raynes                   (b. 1956) 
 2 Nov 1991 -  4 Mar 1992  Timothy William Jalland            (b. 1958)
 4 Mar 1992 - 28 Jun 1992  Jeremy Charles Cartwright          (b. 1962)
28 Jun 1992 -  5 Nov 1992  Jeremy Crispin Maltman             (b. 1955)
 5 Nov 1992 -  2 Mar 1993  Clive Bugg
 2 Mar 1993 - 23 Jun 1993  William Maxwell
23 Jun 1993 - 27 Oct 1993  John Richard Dunford
27 Oct 1993 - 28 Jun 1994  Tekbahadur Gurung 
28 Jun 1994 - 28 Oct 1994  Alan Nelson Woolford               (b. 1959)
28 Oct 1994 -  9 Sep 1995  Charles Nicholas Bishop            (b. 1958)
 9 Sep 1995 - 11 Jan 1996  Nigel Trafford Williams            (b. 1951)
11 Jan 1996 -  6 May 1996  Robert James Sparks                (b. 1971)
 6 May 1996 -  7 Sep 1996  Andrew Robert Hislop
 7 Sep 1996 -  3 Jan 1997  Peter Brian Cartmill               (b. 1971)
 3 Jan 1997 - 10 Apr 1997  Kieron Fitzpatrick                 (b. 1974)
10 Apr 1997 -  8 Sep 1997  Sean David Matten                  (b. 1971)
 8 Sep 1997 -  4 Nov 1997  Thomas Paul Clarke
 4 Nov 1997                Ian McGill
 4 Nov 1997 -  4 Jan 1998  Ian A. Hall
 9 Jan 1998 - 13 Mar 1998  Peter Edwin Smyth                  (b. 1972)
13 Mar 1998                Christopher Byles
13 Mar 1998 -  8 May 1998  William Wright
 8 May 1998 - 10 Sep 1998  Neil Edrich                        (b. 1971)
10 Sep 1998 -  5 Jan 1999  Andrea Jean Page                   (b. 1970)
 5 Jan 1999 - 16 May 1999  Bruce Springett                    (b. 1972)
16 May 1999 - 13 Sep 1999  Alexander Nicholas Seaton Brown    (b. 1972)
13 Sep 1999 - 11 Jan 2000  Ian Moore
11 Jan 2000 - 16 May 2000  David Arundel Holdsworth           (b. 1974)
16 May 2000 -  4 Sep 2000  Christopher Stig Brogan            (b. 1975)
 4 Sep 2000 -  4 Dec 2000  Ian Brown
 4 Dec 2000 - 21 Mar 2001  Austin Dean Coventry
Magistrates and Base Commanders of the British Antarctic Survey
King Edward Point Research Station
21 Mar 2001 - 28 Nov 2002  John W. Blunn
28 Nov 2002 - 25 Nov 2003  Ian R. Parsons
25 Nov 2003 - 20 Oct 2004  Victoria Jane Auld (f)             (b. 1972)
20 Oct 2004 -  1 Oct 2006  Alison Dean (f)
 1 Oct 2006 - Nov 2007     Andrew T. Barker
Nov 2007 - 1 Nov 2008      Mairi MacLeod (f)
 1 Nov 2008 - Oct 2009     Thomas C. Marshall
Oct 2009 - Oct 2010        Alison "Ali" J. Massey (f)
Oct 2010 - Oct 2011        Robert "Rob" Webster
Oct 2011 - Nov 2012        James Wake
Nov 2012 - Nov 2013        Rod Strachan
12 Nov 2013 - Nov? 2014    Richard "Dickie" Hall
Magistrates and Station Leaders of the British Antarctic Survey
King Edward Point Research Station
Nov? 2014 - Aug 2015       Ian Hey
Aug 2015 - 2016            Roger Stillwell
2016 - Feb? 2018           Jerry Gillham (1st time)
Feb? 2018 - Nov 2018       Adam Burke
Nov 2018 - 8 Nov 2019      Jerry Gillham (2nd time)
 8 Nov 2019 - 2020         Frances "Fran" Helen Pothecary (f)
2020 - 2021                Jerry Gillham (3rd time)
27 Oct 2021 - 2021         Sarah Elizabeth Clark (f)(1st time)
2021 - 2022                Vicki Foster (f)
2022 - 2023                Sarah Elizabeth Clark (f)(2nd time)
2023 - Nov 2023            Joe Owen
Nov 2023 - Nov 2024        Cameron Fox-Clarke
Nov 2024 – Oct 2025        Alexandra Goldsack (f)
Oct 2025 -                 Deirdre Mitchell (f)

Territorial Dispute: Argentina, which claims the islands (Islas Georgias del Sur and Islas Orcadas del Sur) in its constitution and briefly occupied the islands by force in 1982, agreed in 1995 to no longer seek settlement by force; U.K. continues to reject Argentine requests for sovereignty talks.