Desmond was born on October 6, 1935 on Rawdon Street in Freetown. He was the last child and second son of Sir Emile and Lady Sarah Luke.

He went to primary school at Model Primary School in Freetown. As the second world war delayed Desmond's departure to school in England, he spent two years at Prince of Wales Secondary School where he made many lifelong friends.

He left Freetown for King's College in Taunton, Somerset (England) in 1949.

Desmond was a star at King's College in Taunton, Somerset, England.

His record-breaking, sporting  feats were written up in national papers including The London Times and the Daily Telegraph. Desmond excelled at individual events and team sports. He played cricket, hockey, tennis etc. 

At 18, he was the first school boy in England to clear 6 feet in high jump. The headline the next day read "Desmond Leaps 6ft. to Smash Record"

The article read "Luke drew the biggest cheer of the day from the 6,000 capacity crowd when he mounted the plinth to receive the winners medal ..."

When he left for Oxford University in 1954, the Headmaster's report mentioned him by name and noted that his last term paper, “The Conditions for the Expansion of Islam,” had “set a standard for the future that will be hard to maintain.”

Desmond dazzled not only in sports but also in scholarship.

At Keble College (Oxford University), Desmond studied Politics, Philosophy and Economics. He graduated in 1957. 

He stayed to do post graduate studies in African History. 

But Desmond still found time between studies to continue his sporting glory, setting records in long jump and participate in other sports.

Armed with his degrees in Politics, Philosophy and Economics and history from Oxford, Desmond headed to Magdelene College, Cambridge in 1951 to read law.

He was called to the bar by the Honourable Society of Lincoln's Inn in 1962.

Desmond returned to Freetown in 1962 and set up his law practice at Lamina Sankoh Street. He owned the largest law library in the country, built on his father's law library that he added to his own collection.

Mrs. Kargbo, his secretary, and his clerk, Long Boy (honestly that was the only name we knew him by) joined his staff from the beginning. They remained with him for decades, working faithfully for Desmond. 

His speciality became handling appeal cases. He never lost a case in all the years he actively practiced law.

In 1969, at 33, President Stevens appointed Desmond as Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Germany (then West Germany) also accredited to Italy, Holland, France, Belgium, Luxembourg and the European Economic Community (EEC).

A type written note in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs papers about his appointment

Desmond was accredited to the Federal Republic of Germany (then West Germany) and also the European Community. Here he presents his letters of credential in Italy.




Photo used under fair use provisions. No copyright infringement intended

Desmond spent four successful years representing Sierra Leone in West Germany and the European Community. The embassy Bonn, West Germany, was Sierra Leone's only embassy in Europe at the time.

Desmond welcomed President Stevens and Foreign Minister Foray on their trip to West Germany.

Desmond resigned his position as Ambassador to return home to contest the 1973 election. He ran for the Ward 3 seat in Wilberforce and won in a smashing victory.

President Stevens named him Minister of Foreign Affairs. A post he held with charm and pizzaz.

Along with other Sierra Leoneans and Sierra Leone's international partners, Desmond worked tirelessly, sometimes at great personal peril, to restore civilian rule. He was one of the few political leaders who remained in the country during the Junta's rule speaking out against them. When the Junta rejected the negotiated peace deal, on a tip, Desmond was able to slip out of the country before his home and office were attacked and destroyed by rebel soldiers. He joined President Kabbah in exile in Guinea. He continued to speak out against the Junta and rally the international community to support Sierra Leone.

President Tejan Kabbah returned to Sierra Leone from exile in 1998.

Following the restoration of civilian rule in 1998, President Kabbah named Desmond Chief Justice. At first reluctant, he accepted the position. Desmond served until retirement in 2002. 

Chief Justice would be his final public service role, ending a long and varied career in service to Sierra Leone.

In retirement, Desmond eschewed his former political life. He saw friends from those days, but he never gave interviews or offered his thoughts.

He had less interest in material things. He had "lived large" as a young man. Now in retirement he had time to get more active in church and bible study. He frequented College Chapel on Rawdon Street, his home church where his mother Sarah had worshiped with Desmond and his siblings, and St. Augustin's Church at Hill Station. He participated in regular bible study with several groups and led one study himself. He was always happy to talk about faith.

Desmond was approached by former colleagues and encouraged by his nephews and nieces to write his memoirs. However, many of his papers had been lost in the war when the junta destroyed his home and office. He did make notes every now and then but alas they never blossomed into a full project. Regardless, what a story he lived. What an imprint he made. What an amazing life.

On 27th April 2021, the Government of Sierra Leone bestowed upon Desmond, posthumously, recognition for his service, with distinction, to the nation. A bitter sweet cap for the distinguished role he played in Sierra Leone's history.