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which he said was scantily furnished and not in a good condition. One day the Director
of the National Art Gallery removed all the paintings, which had evidently been “on

loan”.

Refurbishment

During 1983 - 1986 Commodore Beddy, his wife Marcelle, Nicki Holderness, Peter le

Roux and a small committee tackled the refurbishment of Admiralty House with great
enthusiasm and success. Since then artefacts, works of art and beautiful Persian carpets

have been added.

In 1962 Cecil Marguerite Christie, daughter of Sir Abe Bailey, donated 19 most

valuable Marine paintings to Admiralty House.

To me, one of the most striking features is the uniformity of the three main arches and

fanlights, over the front door, the hallway door and the winding staircase These and the
light of the stairwell draw one into the house and the splendid inner reception rooms.

(Figs. 5.16 – 5.19).

The Present House

As in the past, changes continue. The upstairs rooms have been renamed and the

numerous framed pictures of almost all the British Commanders have been moved to
the Naval Museum. Those of the SA Naval Commanders-in-Chief remain.

The Future

One of the reasons that the SA Naval Base asked to me to produce the Admiralty House

book, was to record the past - but also to update to the present and so provide a written

and photographic “inventory” of the House. (Fig. 5.20).