To be someone’s right hand man is to be a trustworthy and dependable person and that was what the late Mr. Eugene Francis Bryan-Fleming, of Island Harbour, was to Anguilla’s Revolutionary Leader and Father of the Nation, the late Mr. James Ronald Webster.
He was one of Webster’s closest foot soldiers who protected him and the Revolution he led. That and other patriotic reasons are what moved the Government of Anguilla to accord Mr. Fleming a National Funeral at the Mount Fortune Seventh-day Adventist Church on Friday, February 15, 2019, attended by a large number of mourners. Fleming, a multi-faceted individual and the patriarch of a large family, died at the age of 89 on January 26, 2019.
Minister of Home Affairs, Mrs. Cora Richardson-Hodge, delivering the official tribute on behalf of the Government of Anguilla, described Fleming as “one of the covenant foot soldiers of the Anguilla Revolution, working closely with Revolutionary Leader, Mr. Ronald Webster, and other freedom fighters in 1967. Mr. Fleming was one of Mr. Webster’s right hand men who travelled from east to west, guarding the beaches and protecting the Revolutionary Leader.”
The Minister continued: “The late Mr. Eugene Fleming was awarded the Anguilla Badge of Honour and the Queen’s Certificate in 2013 for his valiant contribution to the Anguilla Revolution. His more than notable contribution to the Revolution is recorded in Anguilla’s Battle For Freedom 1967-1969 co-authored by Colville Petty and Nat Hodge. Following the ill-fated Statehood Queen Show, on 4th February, 1967, the St. Kitts policemen went in search of the militants who had disrupted the show.
“According to the book, the police were easy targets as they drove through Island Harbour because there were several militants armed with shotguns and pistols lying in ambush. In addition to those lying in ambush on the ground, there were others lying on the roofs of buildings. Those on the roof of Ronald Webster’s house included Eugene Fleming and others, all of whom were armed with Molotov cocktails.
“In recounting the details of another ambush, the book records: According to Eugene Fleming, one such ambush occurred on the White Hill, near Mildred Vanterpool’s shop, when some militants blocked the road with stones from the nearby stone walls. On their way back from Island Harbour, the Police came under a hail of shotgun fire and were forced to bring their van to a screeching stop at the roadblock. They scrambled out of the van and had to crawl on their knees to move the stones. Thereafter they fled to The Valley.
“Those dark and uncertain days of the Revolution were indeed a tumultuous time in our history. As a result of the bravery and resolve of others, and their determination to fight for the freedom of our people, we canall now enjoy a better quality of life. Anguilla owes Mr. Fleming and all those brave freedom fighters, many of whom have also passed on, a debt of gratitude. Mr. Fleming’s service to Anguilla did not end with the Revolution. His commitment to the community was further demonstrated by the years of service he gave as a Special Constable in the Royal Anguilla Police Force. As in everything else he did, he carried out his duties with diligence and pride. We can never repay the late Eugene Fleming for his personal sacrifices and selfless service to the people of Anguilla. However, the least we can do is to ensure that we honour his legacy and offer our support to his family in their time of bereavement.”
Leader of the Opposition, Ms. Palmovan Webster, spoke mainly about Mr. Fleming’s social and family life. He was a noted string band musician on the guitar, banjo and violin; a dedicated husband and father; an exceptional sailor; and a story-teller of his travels and experiences. She said his service and theimage he portrayed, his outstanding courage and his love for country, had impacted her childhood.
Mrs. Florence Fleming
Ms. Webster, who hurried back to Anguilla from the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank Monetary Council’s meeting in St. Kitts for Mr. Fleming’s National Funeral, said she was overwhelmed by the large attendance at the “wake” for him. It was held at the pond fill, Island Harbour, which afforded much space for the many persons from throughout Anguilla.
“My heart was gladdened because I saw, in Brother Eugene’s dedication to country, a response from people from all over Anguilla,” she went on. “They all came out to show that his legacy of love was valued. He had a deep commitment to his faith which exemplified his love for God and family. He was a good provider and was excellent in all his skills for survival in the early days. He taught us many things and we often laughed together… and he told me about his love for his family.”
Earlier, the Eulogy was read by Kelver Fleming, one of the freedom fighter’s grandchildren. “Daddy had a heart of gold and he would literally go out of his way to assist persons,” she sobbed. “Daddy was a praying man and could often be heard praying out loud for his children, calling them by name, from the first to the last, and he certainly did not forget his grandchildren.”
Kelver added: “This God-fearing, hard-working, generous, strong and entertaining gentleman, whom we knew as daddy, whom the community knew as Eugene, Speckle Bird or Budger, was a fighter to the very end. He was in no way perfect, but as we commit his body to burial, we also commit his soul to Christ whom we believe he came to love and serve with all his heart.”
The sermon, relating to the raising of Lazarus by Jesus, was delivered by Dr. Henry Peters, Family Life Director at the North Caribbean Conference of Seventh-day Adventist and a former Pastor and Evangelist in Anguilla. While serving on the island, he became closely acquainted with the late Eugene Fleming and his family. He was delighted to have the opportunity to minister with his family in their time of sorrow.
Mr. Eugene Francis Bryan-Fleming
The official tributes to the late foot soldier also included the flying of the Official Flag of Anguilla at half-mast; the draping of his casket with the flag; the bearing of his casket to and from the church to the Sandy Hill Cemetery by a contingent of the Royal Anguilla Police Force; a gun salute by a Police Guard of Honour at the gravesite; and the presentation of the flag to Mrs. Florence Fleming, wife of the fallen revolutionary hero. A contingent of the Cadet Corps was also in attendance.
