Born on 9th January 1919, Richard R. Darlington was educated at Harrow, and then studied Geography at Cambridge University from 1938. During the Second World War he interrupted his studies to become commander of the Somaliland Protectorate’s contingent that fought in Burma. He continued his studies after the war and then settled in Somaliland where he dedicated himself to education. He was the first headmaster of the Amoud Secondary School before he was asked to run the newly built Sheikh Secondary School. Both became some of the finest secondary schools in the region. He was awarded the MBE in 1956 and the OBE in 1962. He left Somaliland for Wales in 1971 and later died there in April 2007. Many Somalis regarded him with great affection and gave him the affectionate nickname ‘Gacmadheere’. Richard left money in his will to continue to support Somaliland students and the Foundation was established with that bequest.