The Executive Council on Wednesday, May 16, gave its approval for the holding of an Official (State) Funeral for former Chief Minister and revolutionary the late Sir Emile Rudolph Gumbs on Friday May 25th, 2018.
Sir Emile was the island’s second and longest serving Chief Minister. He served as Chief Minister from 1977 to 1980 and later from 1984 to 1994. He was a central figure in the early days of the Anguilla Revolution and was a Member of the Peace-Keeping Committee that ensured a smooth transition to law and order during those turbulent times. For his contribution to the Anguilla Revolution he was awarded with the Anguilla Badge of Honour and Queen’s Certificate in 1999.
Sir Emile touched the lives of Anguillans from all walks of life through his service both in Government and in the wider community. He is specially remembered for his sterling contribution to charting the course for Anguilla as a five star tourism destination.. He is the only person from Anguilla to have been knighted, having been made a Knight Bachelor in the Queen’s New Year Honours for 1994.
Arrangements are as follows:
1. Friday May 25th, 2018 has been declared a Public Holiday to allow ALL Anguillians and others the necessary time to attend the funeral service.
2. Flags will fly at Half Mast from Wednesday May 23rd, 2018 until sundown on the day of the funeral.
3. An Official Period of Mourning has been declared from Tuesday May 22nd, 2018 to Friday May 25th, 2018.
4. The body of the late Sir Emile Gumbs will Lie in State at the Court House Building from Wednesday May 23rd, 2018 to Friday May 25th, 2018. (The House of Assembly Chambers was extensively damaged during Hurricane Irma).
5. A Special Sitting of the House will be convened on Wednesday May 23rd, 2018 at the Court house beginning at 10:30am to provide for the Hon. Members of the House as well as former legislators to view and make tributes.
6. Viewing of the body by the general public will take place from 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm on Wednesday May 23rd, 2018 and from 7:30 am to 6:00 pm on Thursday May 24th, 2018.
7. On Friday May 25th, 2018, the body of the late Sir Emile Gumbs will leave the Courthouse at 10:30 am enroute to St. Mary’s Anglican Church where the funeral service will take place at 12 Noon. (Procession to include Past and Present Legislators, Foreign Dignitaries, Uniformed bodies, family, Members of the public. The procession will be led by the RAPF and Police Band. Casket to be conveyed on a gun carriage.
8. A Police Guard of Honour will be drawn up at the Church and a contingent of uniformed officers will bear the body in and out of the church and at the graveside. Casket will be draped with the National Flag.
9. Following the service the body will be interred at the Bethel Church cemetery at South Hill.
-Press Release
(Published without editing by The Anguillian newspaper.)
