THE COMMONWEALTH HALL COAT OF ARMS(6)
*The Role of Professor W. J. Varley* *(1904-1976)*
Professor William Jones Varley, Professor of Geography and also an archeologist, was the first person and the only whiteman to become the Hall Master of Commonwealth Hall in 1956 when the first batch of students were admitted to the Hall.
Professor Varley attended the University College of Aberystwyth, Wales(later the University of Aberystwyth. He was a Lecturer in Geography at the University of Liverpool.
Between 1947 and 1957, he worked in the then Gold Coast.
He co-authored the book, *The Geography of Ghana* with H.P. White in 1958. He also published an article entitled, *The Castles and Forts of the Gold Coast* in the journal, "Transactions of the Gold Coast and Togoland Historical Society" 1. 1-17. His wife, Mary Varley(1910-2006), a teacher, photographer and artist, managed the University photographic Unit in Accra.
Professor Varley was Secretary of the *Monuments and Relics Commission of the Gold Coast,*(later the *Ghana Museums and Monuments Board*). He was also the Inaugural President of the *Gold Coast Geographical Association* formed to promote the study of West African geography.
He was a Fellow of Antiquaries of London and a Fellow of the Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland.
When the University College of the Gold Coast was founded in 1948, Professor Varley was one of the lecturers. As already stated, he became the first Hall Master of Commonwealth Hall between 1956 and 1957. He later became a Professor of Geography at the University of Hull, the UK.
As Hall Master, Professor Varley and the Hall Authorities worked hard to design a Coat of Arms for the Hall, as well as a motto.
The Hall Authorities corresponded with the United Kingdom-based College of Arms on the subject of a suitable Coat of Arms.
Professor Varley had a clearly defined view of what he thought was fit for a suitable Coat of Arms. In his letter to the College of Arms dated 14th November, 1956, he stated in part:
*"If we are to have reference to locale, we should avoid cocoa trees, palm trees or elephants...If we are to have beasts anywhere in the Arms, there is much to be said for leopards since they are the only beasts of importance in this country which are not being overworked for heraldic purposes...Again, if we are to have a crest, then the sun of knowledge arising out of the clouds might be appropriate..."*
Professor Varley resigned from the University in the Trinity Tern of 1957, before work on the Coat of Arms could be completed. Still, it is clear that his views were taken into consideration as the final design shows.
May the soul of Professor W.J. Varley rest in peace.
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