Shed His Blood for Anguilla
The passing of two persons in Anguilla, several days ago, has been felt with much sorrow and regret but, on the positive side, they are being praised for their outstanding contributions to the island and its people. They are Mr Leon Roydon, who was a pioneer of Anguilla’s upmarket tourism industry; and Mr Claudius Lake, one of two Anguilliians who were shot and wounded at the Statehood Queen Show on February 4, 1967. That was the first of a series of incidents of the Anguilla Revolution.
Mr Roydon died on Thursday, May 23; and Mr Lake died on Sunday, May 25.
In addition to an outpouring of condolences from the rank and file of the community to the relatives of the two gentlemen, there has been an official statement on their passing from Chief Minister, the Hon Hubert Hughes. His statement, issued to the media on Monday, May 26, reads as follows:
“On behalf of the Government and people of Anguilla, and on my own behalf, I wish to express our sincere condolences to the family and other relatives, who at this time are mourning the passing of the late Mr Leon Roydon and the late Mr Claudius Lake.
“Mr Roydon was the owner and operator of the Malliouhana Hotel and Spa at beautiful Meads Bay. The hotel was the first upscale property which put Anguilla at the zenith of the international tourism market, almost three decades ago. It attracted the rich and famous to the island by its quality of service and fine dining; set the pace and standard for the development of Anguilla’s hospitality industry; provided employment for a sizeable portion of the local workforce and generated much-needed foreign exchange and revenue.
“Mr Lake was one of two Anguillians actually wounded during the Anguilla Revolution. He was shot in the ankle on the night of the Statehood Queen Show at The Valley Secondary School, on February 4th, 1967. He was awarded with the Anguilla Badge of Honour and Queen’s Certificate in 1992 for his significant contribution to the Anguilla Revolution.
“Both gentlemen will long be remembered for the invaluable contributions which they have made to Anguilla in the areas of tourism and community life respectively. They have left a legacy of service which we should all strive to emulate.
“May their souls rest in peace.
”Hubert Hughes, Chief Minister, Anguilla.”
