Hardly had been the thoughts about the pomp and ceremony of Anguilla Day, Friday, May 30, fully absorbed in the minds of many persons on the island, than they were rekindled on Thursday, June 5. That was when revolutionary hero and devout churchman, Claudius Wendel Lake, was given a National Funeral at the Mount Fortune Seventh-day Adventist Church.
He was accorded the honour by the Government in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the 1967 Anguilla Revolution when he was shot and injured in his ankle at the Statehood Queen Show. The activity was one of the events which heralded Associate Status for St Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla against which Anguilla rebelled – preferring a separate constitutional relationship with Britain which it now has.
The National Funeral and Thanksgiving Service commenced and ended with contingents of the Royal Anguilla Police Force, the Police Community Band and Pathfinders participating in a joint procession to the church and afterwards to the Sandy Hill Cemetery.
The moving service was called to order by the Resident SDA Minister, Pastor Trent Berg. He was pleased to see the official recognition given to the late Mr Lake who was not only remembered for his sacrificial service to his country, but for his longstanding and exemplary Christian service in church and community life.
Mr Lake was praised for his contribution to the Anguilla Revolution by the Acting Chief Minister, Mr Evan Gumbs, who said he had been one of four Anguillians accorded a National Funeral – one being Mr Lake’s wife, Mrs Nardine Lake, a heroine of the Revolution. The Minister, who spoke about the official arrangements for the funeral, took the opportunity to offer condolences to family members on behalf of the Government and people of Anguilla.
Phil Lake, one of the deceased’s children, who resides in the United States, eulogised his father as having been a caring and loving head of his family. He said he was a man whose upbringing, in a grossly-undeveloped Anguilla, was tough, but out of that situation he arose as an ambitious and positive individual who worked hard, provided for his family and loved his country.
Lake thanked the Anguilla Government for recognising his father’s contribution to the island, and was also appreciative of the role of the Royal Anguilla Police Force in the National Service.
Mrs Pauline Frederick, the revolutionary hero’s daughter, an Educator in St Lucia, joined her brother in paying glowing tribute to their father. “My father was my hero,” she asserted, sending much admiration among the large congregation, a sizeable portion being young people.
She gave many examples of the fatherly care, love and guidance she received from her “extraordinary father and noble gentleman” and how his keen attention and nurturing had impacted her life and decisions. “I can confidently say that my dad, who is being laid to rest today, was my hero,” she proudly reiterated. “What I saw in him inspired my choice of a husband. I wanted a husband who was spiritual, loving, considerate of others and faithful. In other words, I wanted to find a husband who was just like my dad. My hero was a role model of a loving dad and he went beyond the call of duty.”
The young mother stressed that, like her father, she would continue to be a positive role model for her children; be patient with them in their imperfections; and provide a haven of rest for them so that she, too, could impact future generations with positive values and principles.
“Here lies my hero, temporarily imprisoned in the cold hands of death, but his certain legacy of faithfulness and Christian values freely lives on,” Pauline added.
Her husband is Pastor Johnson Frederick who is serving with the SDA Mission in St Lucia. In reviewing his father-in-law’s life, he commented: “I have to conclude that he has touched my life with his life of faith and faithfulness.”
Pastor Frederick went on: “This is not a time for people to apologise for their faith. The times are critical, and if Claudius Lake were here today he would have wanted me to say don’t pity him, but rather uphold his legacy. We need to be proud of who we are. We need not only to be civic-minded, but heavenly-minded…Claudius Lake was a man fit for the times. In spite of the trials – internal and external – that tried his soul, he was unflinching in his commitment by his nature, unassuming and quiet manner, yet consistent and loud with his Christian influence. His legacy of faithfulness is what we must [relentlessly] pursue and diligently embrace.”
Earlier in the service, Mr Edmeade Smith, a leading member of the SDA Church who served in the Prison Ministry, spoke highly of the late Mr Lake’s service with him in Anguilla and elsewhere in the Caribbean. He was particularly impressed by his fellow church leader’s humility and dedication which he exhibited in the positions he held in the Prison Ministry, as an Elder, and a Deacon.
The final part of the moving National Funeral was the procession to, and interment at, the Sandy Hill Cemetery. There, as the casket was being lowered, the contingent from the Royal Anguilla Police Force fired a gun salute of three rounds. The National Flag, which draped the casket, was folded and presented to Paul Petty on behalf of his siblings – Pauline and Phil – as well as other family members.
In making the presentation, Sergeant Delvin (Ronnie) Fleming, told the grieving family member: “I present you this flag on behalf of the Leader of the Anguilla Revolution and the Government and people of Anguilla.”