Flags on government buildings were flown at half mast on Thursday, August 22nd and Friday, August 23rd in honor of the passing of another of Anguilla’s freedom fighters, Mrs. Olive Cynthia Gumbs-Lake of North Hill. She died on July 28th 2019.
The Service of Thanksgiving for her life was held at the St. Mary’s Pro-Cathedral in The Valley, on Friday, August 23rd, and interment was in the churchyard cemetery. Because of her commitment to Anguilla’s quest for freedom, and her bravery exhibited during Anguilla’s historic national revolt, Mrs. Olive Cynthia Gumbs-Lake was awarded the Anguilla Badge of Honour and Queen’s Certificate in 2005, and accorded a National Funeral.
The casket containing her remains was adorned with the national flag and borne by pall bearers comprising a division of officers of the Royal Anguilla Police Force. The National Anthem, the Anguilla National Song, and other special items of music were rendered by the Royal Anguilla Police Force Band. The band led the initial procession from the corner of St. Mary’s Street, adjacent the NCBA building, to the church, while police marched ceremoniously to the hymn “Nearer My God to Thee”.
In retrospect, during the fearsome struggle of the 1967 Anguilla Revolution, Mrs. Lake was well noted for the part she played in the expulsion of the St. Kitts police officers. Standing beside many other patriotic fighters for liberation, she was also in the forefront of the events that led to the Expulsion of Mr. William Whitlock, a British Junior Minister. In addition, Mrs. Gumbs-Lake played a critical role with other brave men and women in guarding the beach at Sandy Ground to prevent any reprisals from St. Kitts.
Many persons paid tribute to the life and work of this outstanding warrior who demonstrated her love for Anguilla and its people. An official tribute from the Office of the Premier, the Honorable Victor Banks, read in part: “The late Olive Cynthia Gumbs-Lake was one of the outstanding foot-soldiers in the defense of the 1967 Anguilla Revolution. She was honoured for her bravery in guarding the beaches, thus ensuring that the Kittitians trying to invade the shores of Anguilla would be stopped. In addition, she was a prominent protester, standing with her friends Daisy Wong and Hyacinth Carty at the airport to demonstrate against the proposed Statehood.”
One of Mrs. Gumbs-Lake’s closest comrades was Mrs. Lana Hoyoung. She spoke in glowing terms of the friendship they cherished and reflected on the inspiration that she had gained from her whenever they would share time together.
The eulogy was delivered by the deceased’s son, Bernard Lake. He spoke confidently of her commitment to loving her family and her fellowman. Most importantly, however, he noted her love for God and the relationship that she had developed with him. He emphasized the fact that it was a kind of relationship which she had constantly nourished through devout prayers, and that she always wanted her loved ones to pray with her and for her.
Rev. Lindsay Richardson, of the Anguilla Methodist Circuit, preached the sermon. He focused on the presence of God who is our ever constant friend: who walks before us, behind us and hovers over us to keep us secure from all harm — the God who protects and provides for us. “It is this God” he stressed, “who loved us enough that He gave [his son to save us].” He mentioned that this was the kind of God whom Cynthia knew and on whom she relied.
At the graveside, a team of police officers ceremoniously folded the national flag which had draped her casket, and Sergeant Delvin Fleming presented it in a stately fashion to her son, Leroy Lake, on behalf of the government and people of Anguilla. Moments later, a cadre of police guards performed a gun-firing salute in Mrs. Lake’s honor, and the RAPF Band admirably rendered the hymn “Abide With Me”.
The family of Mrs. Gumbs-Lake expresses gratitude to the Government of Anguilla and the Royal Anguilla Police Force, the doctors and nurses of the Princess Alexandra Hospital, the doctors at the Hughes Medical Centre, and all those persons who participated in her home-going service.
The Anguillian extends condolences to the family and friends who are left to mourn her loss. May her soul rest in peace.
– Staff Reporter, James R. Harrigan
