The Government and people of Anguilla showed their appreciation and gratitude to the late Gifford Richardson, formerly of Pond Site, East End, by coming together in a national funeral, on Wednesday this week, to pay tribute to him for his role in the 1967 Anguilla Revolution. As a symbol to mark his passing, flags also flew at half-mast at public and private sector buildings.
The recognition accorded to the deceased, and first to the late Nardine Lake, is part of a policy being developed by Government to honour outstanding nationals for their contributions to the island – not only to the Revolution but in the public service and other spheres of national life. That honour is not just confined to national funerals, but other forms of recognition in several categories, according to the contribution of the deserving persons.
The Order of Service at St. Augustine’s Anglican Church, for Mr. Richardson, began with a procession in which a contingent of the Royal Anguilla Police Force, in full ceremonial attire, bore the flag-draped casket into the Church. The other official activities included a rendition by the Police/Community Band and the singing of the National Anthem and National Song.
Governor Alistair Harrison, Chief Minister Hubert Hughes, other Ministers and officials of Government – and many persons from the public and private sectors – were in attendance, crowding the fairly large church building and spilling over on the outside.
The Order of Service included the reading of Scripture lessons by family members and remarks by Chief Minister Hughes, on behalf of the Government, in commendation of the service and life of Mr. Richardson. The eulogy, published elsewhere in The Anguillian, was read by Mr. Quincy Gumbs, a brother of the deceased.
The Homily was delivered by the Right Reverend Errol Brooks. The Bishop recalled that 1967 was a period of anxiety and uncertainty in Anguilla. There was fear of an invasion and a number of persons volunteered to guard the beaches and defend the land. Among them were a number of young people who included Gifford Richardson.
Bishop Brooks was of the view that God was in the midst of the Revolution as there was no organised defence force or army under the command of a trained person. As a result there could have been a situation where matters might have been worsened by trigger-happy youngsters, like militias today in other places engaging in rapes and lootings. He was happy that such behaviour did not happen in Anguilla, with God being in the midst, and there being a set of values and respect for life on the island.
The Bishop hoped that the same kind of vigilance back then would be seen in Anguilla again for the welfare of the island and the things that pertain to God.
Following the service, Gifford Richardson’s casket was removed from the Church by the Royal Anguilla Police Force contingent, which performed a drill display and gun salute at the Sandy Hill Cemetery , where his body was interred.
