Albert Alfred Frank Lock was born in London on 30 June 1917. He studied at Selly Oak and later at St. Andrews. He married Florence Adelaide Shearman in January 1941 (Florence was born in London on 22 July 1922). In August 1945, he was called to his first full-time pastorate at Finchingfield Congregational Church in north Essex, then to Orsett Congregational Church in south-east Essex, and Lowestoft, Suffolk. He was Ordained and Valedicted on 22 September 1956. He was appointed to Southern Africa with the London Missionary Society and sailed for the Bechuanaland Protectorate with Florence in October 1956. He was based at Kanye for six months of language study, 1956-1957. He and his wife were stationed at Francistown, May 1957-1961, and Serowe, Bechuanaland Protectorate [later Botswana], 1961-1975. This was during the important transition period and the run-up to self-government and independence for the church as well as the state. Consultations had begun for the uniting of the London Missionary Society and Congregationalism in Southern Africa, which involved Albert in five years of discussions. The Congregational Church of South Africa (UCCSA) was formed in 1967 covering six regions, with Rev J K Main as its first Chairman. Albert Lock was appointed Treasurer of the Botswana region and set up the framework for the maintenance of the ministry. He later became Moderator/Secretary while training an African minister for the post. In February 1968, he was asked to stand for election as Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Botswana. He was duly elected in the March Parliament and held the post for 12 years. In 1973 he was awarded the CBE for service to Church and Community. He was based in Gaborone, Botswana, 1975-1979, when he resigned from overseas service and returned to the Home Ministry. From November 1979 he spent over two years with West Sussex URC Group of Churches. He died on 5 May 1985.
Papers of Albert Frank Lock and his wife Florence, relating to their service as missionaries with the London Missionary Society/Council for World Mission in the Bechuanaland Protectorate / Botswana, 1950s-1970s. The collection also includes papers relating to Albert Lock's position of Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Botswana, 1968-1979, including a small selection of Parliamentary reports and papers. Additional papers include those created by Rev Dick Sales, an American colleague of the Locks who worked to assist the London Missionary Society / United Congregational Church of Southern Africa, Botswana.
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Donated to SOAS Library in October 2005.
Archive of the London Missionary Society (Council for World Mission), ref CWM/LMS.
Includes a profile of Albert Lock prepared by his wife Florence, May 2005; a published interview with Albert Lock, nd; typescript article entitled 'Seretse Khama', written by Albert Lock, 1980, describing life in Botswana and his view of the role of the impact made by Seretse Khama as the first President of the new Republic. Also includes copy of the Call to Africa taken from 'The Congregational Monthly', Sep 1955, and the response by Albert Lock announcing his intention to serve in Africa with his wife, Florence.
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Notes prepared by Rev Albert Lock for sermons given by him during his time in Botswana [Bechuanaland Protectorate]. Includes some sermons originally prepared for his congregation in England, but annotated to indicate that they were also used to inform sermons given overseas. Also includes notes for addresses given by Rev Lock at conferences and discussion groups held during his time in Africa.
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Sets of notes prepared by Rev Lock for lectures and seminars, including 'Principles of Missions' lectures and papers relating to social anthropology.
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Administrative correspondence from the secretariat of the London Missionary Society [Council for World Mission]. Includes correspondence and papers relating to the Locks' application for mission work overseas and their appointment to Southern Africa, with copies of general guidelines issued to missionaries regarding service and lifestyle and the results of their language study. Also includes correspondence with Brian Bailey, Associate Secretary for Education regarding the planned visit of Seretse Khama to the UK, 1978.
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Typescript extracts from the diary kept by Albert and Florence Lock relating to their time as missionaries in the Bechuanaland Protectorate [Botswana], Southern Africa, 1956-1969. Extracts relate to time spent in Rhodesia, Francistown, Serowe. Also includes copies of news letters sent to friends, dating from March 1957 and June 1958.
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Correspondence of Albert Frank Lock from various points in his career, including letters received at the time of his appointment to the Bechanaland Protectorate, 1956; correspondence with Rev A F Griffiths, Jan-May 1968, regarding the offer made to Lock for the post of Speaker in the Botswana National Assembly, and his subsequent election; correspondence regarding the nomination of Albert Lock for the position of Chairman Elect of the UCCSA, 1971; correspondence with the British High Commission, Gaborone, including a letter regarding his CBE and service of Investiture, Mar 1973; correspondence with Rev M S Serema, Regional Secretary, UCCSA, Aug 1979, regarding Lock's decision not to run for re-election as Speaker, to take retirement and return to the UK, and a copy of Lock's statement to the Botswana Parliament about his wish to retire.
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Annual news letters from Albert and Florence Lock regarding their work in the Bechuanaland Protectorate [Botswana], Feb 1958-1977 and back in the UK, 1980.
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Memorandum on the Mission to the Bamangwato prepared by Albert Lock, which includes a plea that fresh consideration be given to the requests made by the Church through Regional and Church Councils in the years 1959-1961 for the re-establishment of a Medical Mission in that area, n.d. Also inclodes items of correspondence, 1963-1965, which relate to the period in which Rev Lock worked with the Bamangwato.
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Papers including minutes of interdenominational meetings, Nov 1964-Sep 1973, held to discuss the formation of a single church in the Gaborones for use by the LMS, Presbyterian, Methodist, Quaker and Anglican churches - the Trinity ecumenical scheme. Papers also include later discussion re Anglican participation in the Trinity scheme, their withdrawal and discussions as to the future of the Trinity Chapelry, Anglican parish of Gaborone.
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Notes regarding the winding up of the Support of the Ministry Funds and discussions on the new financial structure for the Support of the Ministry, and discussions regarding the Structure and Pattern of the Ministry in relation to the Bechuanaland Protectorate [Botswana]. Includes reports of the Special Committee on the Pattern and Support of the Ministry, 1966, and minutes of the UCCSA Botswana Region Commission on Ministry, 1971-1972 and 1979.
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Correspondence with the Office of the President, Gaborone, regarding concerns over Kanye Church and matters of party politics, Apr-May 1970.
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Rev Dick Sales was an American colleague of the Locks. Originally tutoring in a theological seminary in South Africa with the United Churches of Christ Mission, Rev Sales was later transferred to assist the London Missionary Society [later Council for World Mission, United Congregational Church of Southern Africa] in Botswana. Rev Sales attended the official opening of the Federal Theological Seminary of Botswana in July 2005.
Papers of Rev Dick Sales relating to the creation and development of Kgolagano, the Botswana Theological Training Programme (BTTP), formed in 1974, and the involvement of Rev Sales and Rev Lock in this work. Includes correspondence, 1971-1974; Address given at the Third Convocation of the Botswana Theological Training Programme, by Rev Albert Lock, Dec 1977; notes prepared by Rev Sales, Feb 2005, entitled 'Botswana Theological Studies, the Beginnings: BTTP'.
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Typescript notes on the Maru a Pula secondary school, Gaborone, Botswana, detailing its history, organisation and administration. Includes copy of minutes of a meeting of the Council held at the School, 21 Sep 1974.
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Letters to Rev A M Petrie and Rev David Roy, United Free Church of Scotland, regarding the recruitment situation within the Ministry in Botswana.
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Typescript notes on the political background and development of the Bechuanaland Protectorate [Botswana], including:
Handwritten piece by Albert Lock entitled 'Entry into Politics in Botswana, Jan-Mar 1968'
Fact sheet on the Bechuanaland Protectorate (Jan, 1965)
'The Botswana National Front - its character and tasks. Stages in the development of the Liberation Movement in Bechuanaland' (nd)
'The Case for Bechuanaland' (nd)
'Self-Government for Bechuanaland', including notes on discussion with Rev Albert Lock, Speaker of the House of Assembly, Aug 1979
'A New Bechuanaland' (nd)
'Bechuanaland Protectorate. Bechuanaland. Botswana' (nd)
'Botswana: to be born September 1966' (nd)
Notes on 'Parliament of Botswana' (nd)
Copy of article entitled 'Botswana National Assembly', by Isaac Gontse, Clerk of the National Assembly (nd)
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Handwritten notes re Parliament written by Albert Lock prepared during his time as Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Botswana.
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Official correspondence with Albert Lock in his capacity as Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Botswana, following his election in March 1968. Includes letters from the Overseas Office of the House of Commons, the Office of the President and the Ministry of Home Affairs, Republic of Botswana, and staff of the National Assembly. Also includes printed details of the role of the Speaker in Parliament and description of the Parliamentary Government in Botswana.
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Official papers and reports collected together by Albert Lock during his time as Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Botswana, following his election in March 1968. Includes:
Copy of Constitution of Botswana, Botswana Independence Act 1966
Opening of the First Meeting of the First Session of the Second Parliament of the Republic of Botswana on 17th November, 1969
Opening of the First Meeting of the Fifth Session of the Third Parliament of the National Assembly on 20th November 1978
Opening of the First Meeting of the First Session of the Fourth Parliament of the Republic of Botswana on 13th November, 1979
Memorandum on the Position, Powers & Privileges of Speakers in the Parliaments of the Commonwealth (London, 1959)
National Assembly. Duties of the Clerk to a Select Committee
Summary Duties of the Clerk of Parliament
Report of the Commission on the Salaries and Conditions of Service of the Public Service and the Teaching Service (Directorate of Personnel, Gaborone, Sep 1970)
Report of the Select Committee on the Societies Bill (Gaborone, 1971)
Report of the Select Committee on the Matrimonial Causes Bill (Gaborone, 1972)
Report of the Select Committee Reviewing Members' Salaries (Gaborone, 1976)
Progress in Botswana - transcript of interview broadcast on 11 Nov 1976, re currency and national finances
List of members of the Botswana Cabinet, the National Assembly and members of Parliament (c1976)
Guidelines on Botswana's Foreign Policy (Department of Foreign Affairs, Gaborone, 1977)
Report of the Third Salaries Review, Parliamentary Committee (Gaborone, 1978)
Index of the Laws of Botswana as at 31 Dec 1978
Report of the Select Committee on Parliamentary Structure (Gaborone, 1979)
Report of the Select Committee on the Committee Structure of the National Assembly (Gaborone, 1979)
Standing Orders of the National Assembly of Botswana (Gaborone, 1979)
Botswana National Assembly, Notice of Questions (30 Jul 1979)
Botswana National Assembly, Order Paper (3 Aug 1979)
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Miscellaneous papers collected by Albert Lock. Includes press cuttings from the national press in Botswana, c1974-1981, including articles on the UCCSA Assembly, Gaborone, 1974; copy of the Presbyterian-Congregational Joint Committee Scheme of Union between BPC (Bantu Presbyterian Church), PCSA (the Presbyterian Church of Southern Africa), TPC (the Tsonga Presbyterian Church) and UCCSA (United Congregational Church of Southern Africa), Jul 1975; agreement regarding a UCCSA Local Synod for the United Congregational Church of Southern Africa in Botswana; the death of Phillip Matante, leader of the opposition Botswana Peoples Party (BPP), Oct 1979; the funeral and memorial speeches for Seretse Khama, Jul 1980; article on constitutional procedures regarding the election of a new President for Botswana, Jul 1980; article on Gaefalale Sebeso, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly in Botswana, Oct 1983; series of atricles entitled 'Meet the Ambassadors', published by the Botswana Press Agency, on the Ambassadors of various countries to Botswana. Also includes copy of programme for a ceremony to commemorate the handing over of the Maun maternity centre to the Government of the Republic of Botswana, 1 Apr 1975; abstract on the history of public health nursing in Botswana, Sep 1984; report on the Francistown School for the Blind, 1984/5; leaflet on the Historical Background of the Tswana Centenary New Testament, prepared by Alexander Sandilands, London Missionary Society, May 1970.
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