Anguilla was once again made to pay its last respects to another one of its citizens who had made a patriotic contribution to the success of the famous 1967 Anguilla Revolution. On Saturday, 21st May, family, friends and acquaintances, gathered at the Pro Cathedral of St. Mary to take part in the Home going Service in Celebration of the Life of Mr. Cardigan Algernon Swithin Hodge, affectionately know as “Cardie”.
Born on 6th May 1940, the late freedom fighter died after a brief illness last Easter Sunday morning – on 17th April, 2022, at the Princess Alexandra Hospital.
His funeral came on the heels of that of another Revolution personality, Mr. Hugo Rey, whose Service of Thanksgiving was held on Friday 22nd April. Together, Rey and Hodge would have played pivotal roles in planning and executing the revolutionary activities that led Anguilla to successfully revolt against the repressive St. Kitts regime – a 1967 Caribbean feat that spelt political victory for Anguilla, this small, bold, yet humble island nation. As such, both men were accorded the rights of a national funeral. Today, we remember their dedication to our fight for freedom – along with others who have gone before –
especially in this month of May when we observe our national holiday and commemorate their patriotic mission for such a worthy cause.
At Cardie’s funeral last Saturday morning, a contingent of six policemen from the Royal Anguilla Police Force (RAPF) bore the flag- draped casket with his remains into the church. Following just a few tributes, the RAPF Community Band played the National Anthem and National Song. Cardigan’s eulogy was then read by his grand-daughter, Keema Boland-Bryan. In it there were many wonderful notions attributed to his credit. Writen by his brother, Tyrone Hodge, and other family members, his eulogy depicted him as one who was “beloved by so many. This was evident by how he treated others.”
The reading continued: “He was indeed a walking version of the golden rule. And since he once worked for Her Majesty’s Customs, on any given day, it was not uncommon to see him delivering freight to those who did not know that a package had come for them.”
The eulogy went on: “He was a wonderful person to all who knew him. He contributed to the betterment of his fellowman and will be remembered as someone who genuinely cared, and who impacted the lives of many. Cardigan was a loving husband to Claris Hodge, a caring stepfather to Margarita Boland, and a grandfather to Kayme Lake and Keema Bryan. He was an exceptional brother, an exemplary cousin, and a loyal friend.”
The Leader of the Opposition, the Honourable Cora Richardson-Hodge, was absent for the service, but she was represented by Opposition member, the Honourable Cardigan Connor. On her behalf, he read in part: “Mr. Hodge was awarded the Anguilla Badge of Honour and Queen’s Cerificate in 2003, which he received with pride. With respect to the days of the Anguilla Revolution, it is well known that he, his father Walter Hodge, and a number of other sung and unsung revolutionary heroes were key to the establishment of Anguilla’s first administration during that tubulent period.
“Mr. Hodge, a son of the soil, contributed towards the advancement of Anguilla. Anguilla mourns the passing of this humble, revolutionary who has touched the lives of so many persons in so many ways. I share with his family, his many friends and, indeed, all Anguillians, in mourning his loss.”
The Honourable Premier, Dr. Ellis Webster, also spoke in glowing tones of Cardie’s character, and the part he played towards the advancement of Anguilla: “Cardie was a devoted husband, brother, father, uncle and friend. His life was one of humility and service. He was a caring and soft-spoken man who was sensitive to the needs of others, and wanted to help, in any way that he could, to make life better for the misfortunate whom he came into contact with.
“As a committed Customs Officer, he made sure that those who benefitted from his services knew that he served them honestly. He even went above and beyond, to deliver packages to his people in need, though he did not have to do so.
“Cardie was a revolutionary hero. In fact, If you would have visited his home, you would have taken note of a picture on his wall of him posing with his ready rifle. He was one of many who guarded the vulnerable beaches and coastlines of Anguilla during the days of the Revolution against any attack from St. Kitts.”
Cardie was also an avid singer and choir enthusiast. Speaking about his singing abilities, and his commitment to seeing Anguilla rise out of the dreary ashes of oppression, the Honourable Premier said of him, again, in an official written statement:
“Cardigan’s life was one of humilty and service to God, and he used his melodic voice as part of the music ministry in the Anglican Church. His abiding faith, and his concerns about the wellbeing of others, led him to become involved in the Anguilla Revolution. Like his deceased father, the late Walter Hodge, Cardigan believed in a vision for a better Anguilla – where the shackles of poverty and oppression would be replaced by prosperity and a bright future for generations to come.”
Mrs. Margarita Boland
The sermon preached by Canon Reid Simon portrayed Cardie as a man who always found time for the things of God and his church, but also as one who fought for the welfare and freedom of his native Anguilla. “As I thought about Cardigan Hodge,” the preacher reflected, “I thought about a man who fought to have Anguilla to be where it is tòday. He made sure that through the days of the Revolution a people’s way of life was improved and a destiny was maintained…Cardigan was devoted in terms of his love for his country. He was committed to ensuring that the Anguilla way of life was preserved.”
“Besides,” Canon Simon noted, “Cardigan fought — not literally — but he stood firm for his faith. He believed in God. He endeavoured to walk with God. When I listened to persons telling stories about Cardigan’s life, I was amazed that several of them would say that for a number of years, in Island Harbour, Cardigan and his wife were the two people who kept the choir at St. Andrew going. He was faithful in making sure that his connection with his God bore witness to those around him.”
Seeing that Cardie was so influential in the work of the choir, it was only befitting that the Anguilla National Choir, which typically performs at national funerals, provided the service with melodious singing of tunes like “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”; “Have a Little Talk With Jesus”; and the “23rd Psalm”. All were admirably rendered under the direction of Ms. Lois Hazell.
Interment of the late Cardigan Algernon Swithin Hodge took place at the Sandy Hill Cemetery. There, the Anguilla flag was removed from the casket, ceremoniously folded in military fashion, and cordially presented to Cardigan’ stepdaughter, Mrs. Margarita Boland. Sergeant Ronnie Fleming, of the RAPF, did the honours of making this presentation on behalf of the Government and people of Anguilla. Then, near the outskirts of the gravesite, a band of five rifle-bearing police officers fired a three-round gun salute. The remains of Cardie were then gently laid to rest. May his soul rest in peaceful repose.
