Falklands Diary: Winds of Change in a Distant Colony

In 1969, Jean Austin’s husband was appointed Colonial Secretary of the Falkland Islands and they were transported to a remote outpost of the British colonies. While there Austin immersed herself in island life, fulfilling the duties of a Colonial Secretary’s wife. A Falklands Diary is her sensitive and perceptive memoir of these years.

Engaging and illuminating, A Falklands Diary paints a portrait of a mostly static culture defined by its remoteness and barren geography. At the same time, Austin’s story reveals how global politics were slowly changing the Falklands’ relationship with the rest of the world. Although seemingly removed from the drama of the Falklands War of the following decade, Austin’s experience foreshadows the impending conflict and the Islands’ growing geopolitical significance, casting fresh light on the history of these enigmatic islands.

In 1969, Jean Austin’s husband was appointed Colonial Secretary of the Falkland Islands and they were transported to a remote outpost of the British colonies. While there Austin immersed herself in island life, fulfilling the duties of a Colonial Secretary’s wife. A Falklands Diary is her sensitive and perceptive memoir of these years.

Engaging and illuminating, A Falklands Diary paints a portrait of a mostly static culture defined by its remoteness and barren geography. At the same time, Austin’s story reveals how global politics were slowly changing the Falklands’ relationship with the rest of the world. Although seemingly removed from the drama of the Falklands War of the following decade, Austin’s experience foreshadows the impending conflict and the Islands’ growing geopolitical significance, casting fresh light on the history of these enigmatic islands.

Jean Austin worked as a modern languages teacher in Portugal, Kuwait, Cyprus and Nigeria. It was in Nigeria that she met and married her husband, J.A. Jones, OBE, who was a member of the Colonial Administrative Service. She travelled with him to his various postings in Nigeria, the Gambia, the Solomon Islands, Kiribati and the Falkland Islands. They retired in 1984 and now live in Garlieston, Scotland.