BY LANCE NEITA

lanceneita@hotmail.com

“I, Clifford Clarence Campbell, do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Her Heirs and Successors, according to Law, so help me God.”

The voice rang out clearly throughout the National Stadium and across Jamaica as thousands followed the open air ceremony being broadcast over our two radio stations, RJR and JBC. It was 8:00 pm, December 1, 1962, and Jamaica’s first native-born Governor General was taking the Oath of Office before a capacity crowd that had gathered for the public investiture. It was one of the most defining moments of Jamaica’s history over the 50-year period of our Independence.

In the aftermath of the euphoria of the August celebrations, the country had been treading cautiously, but confidently, into its first few months as a new nation. There was a flurry of international activities scripted to cement our status as an Independent nation in the eyes of the world.

The prime minister, Sir Alexander Bustamante, journeyed to London on September 6 to attend the Commonwealth Prime Ministers’ Conference. En route to Jamaica he stopped in New York to hoist the Jamaican flag at the United Nations. Ambassadors and high commissioners were being appointed to Canada, England, and the USA, and the countries of the world were establishing diplomatic relations with Jamaica.

On October 8, 1962, External Affairs Minister Hugh Shearer’s maiden speech at the United Nations received a standing ovation, as he called for a new world focus on human rights, with the General Assembly unanimously giving its approval to Jamaica’s intervention by designating 1968 as the International Year for Human Rights.

Back home, the flag, the anthem, and other national symbols had begun to take their places in our consciousness as representative of our new found identity.

But there was one major change still to be made. In August, the former English governor of Jamaica, Sir Kenneth Blackburne, had been sworn in as governor general of Independent Jamaica. This was meant to be a bridge between Jamaica’s previous colonial status and that of the newly independent nation.

Bustamante knew that this situation would have to be short-lived, and he was toying with the idea of declaring himself governor general.

In fact, speculation was rife across the country that his marriage to his former secretary, Gladys Longbridge, on September 6, was a prelude to their moving into King’s House. It didn’t take much prodding from his trusted lieutenant, Shearer, however, to convince him that Clifford Campbell, a black man from rural Jamaica with grass roots connections and a Mico background, was the ideal choice.

Campbell’s background spelt humble Jamaican. He was born June 28, 1892 at Petersfield, Westmoreland, educated at the village elementary school and later at Mico College. He was the headmaster of Fullerswood Government School, Friendship Elementary, and enjoyed a long sojourn as principal of Grange Hill, 1928-1944.

He was elected a member of the House of Representatives in 1944, gaining the largest majority votes as a Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) candidate. He became Speaker of the House 1950 to 1954, president of the Legislative Council May 1962 to August 1962, and Senate president in August 1962.

‘Black was not meant for King’s House’

All through October the choice of Campbell was kept a closely guarded secret between Bustamante and Shearer. However, when Busta confided in the visiting Premier of Nigeria, Dr M I Okpara that “I am going to put a coloured man as governor general, we are 90 per cent coloured in Jamaica”, the statement immediately made headline news.

Many refused to believe him. The influential sectors had been plugging for a white or brown man to hold that lofty post. Black was not meant for King’s House, they said. Some packed up and left. The post had traditionally belonged to white Englishmen and they did not believe that ‘Busta’ would make such a drastic change.

The Gleaner’s respected political reporter Ulric Simmonds had tossed Sir Neville Ashenheim’s name into the ring. Another suggestion was Sir Charles Campbell, a distinguished public servant who spoke with a British accent and was suitably brown.

Bets were made that the prime minister’s choice, whatever it was, would be proved wrong. Assuming that the nominee’s wife would probably be black, the upper St Andrew verandah gossip mewed that such a person would be unable to manage the etiquette, graciousness, and social mannerisms demanded from the First Lady.

But Busta’s legendary intuition was to again prove him right. The Queen announced the appointment from London on October 18. Campbell was informed by cable from Kingston while attending a Commonwealth Parliamentary Association meeting in Lagos, Nigeria.

On his way back home he was knighted at Buckingham Palace, and returned to Jamaica on November 25 as Sir Clifford Campbell, GCMG.

His home parish Westmoreland was elated. Accompanied by his wife of 42 years, Lady Alice, he went touring his old stomping grounds on November 26. They made a triumphant journey from Whitehouse to Petersfield, Savanna-la-Mar, and Little London. Thousands came out to greet him, and like true royalty he left the car on occasions to walk among the crowds.

His official swearing-in ceremony took place before a capacity crowd. Sir Clifford immediately took up his office with gusto and began an islandwide tour to impress upon Jamaicans the meaning of his appointment in the context of an Independent Jamaica that had thrown off colonial status.

The civic address delivered by St James Parish Council Secretary Milton Rodriquez on his welcome to Montego Bay said it all.

“Six weeks ago, Your Excellency assumed the high office of governor general representing Her Majesty. Thus was brought about a history-making climax in the chain of events which started many years ago, moving forward steadily to August 6 and then December 1 when Your Excellency received the Seal of Office as the island’s first native-born governor general.

“Your appointment brings great joy to your fellow countrymen and a sense of achievement and fulfilment to all. We are confident that Your Excellency will play a vital role as a symbol of unity, and that in Her Excellency the women of Jamaica will find a noble example.”

In those early days, everywhere Sir Clifford went he had a suitable message for the schoolchildren — that his office represented their hopes and aspirations, that they must work hard, respect their elders, love Jamaica, value our traditions, and that they, too, could now become governors general and prime ministers.

He displayed extraordinary strength, energy and enthusiasm as he toured the parishes. In Manchester he was welcomed by headmaster A H Williams at Pratville, and stopped to speak with hundreds of schoolchildren and villagers at Pusey Hill, Lancaster, Hermitage, Frankfield and Grove Town.

The message was the same at the schools and crossroads where the people poured out to see their black governor general: “Make the best of your education,” he told them. “It is the responsibility of everyone to build the nation spiritually and culturally.” At Campbell’s Castle he told them: “We will face hardships, but we will overcome.”

At May Day, they were to “co-operate with your teachers and utilise opportunities”. At Old England, he spoke of the need for literacy and learning. The farmers were told to grow more and import less.

In that one day he lunched at Mayflower Hotel in Mandeville, went on to tour Newport, Newbroughton and Cross Keys, had tea at Ploughden, then it was off to Alligator Pond to inspect a guard of honour, visit New Forest, Prospect and Spur Tree, before welcome refreshments at the Manchester Club and back to King’s House.

The same pace was kept up in St Elizabeth. Untiringly, he brought the message that “we must give service so that Jamaica may flourish”. At Pepper, he was met by Principal P W Beckford before touring and stopping at Santa Cruz, Leeds, Park Mountain, Lacovia, at times standing on the bonnet of his car to address the crowds.

Sir Clifford, in his 10 years as GG, reached out to Jamaicans and visitors at every level. If at first Jamaicans were sceptical, it may have been when he donned his British naval officer uniform for official occasions, presenting a rather comic figure with white plumes, feathered hat, and a silver sword.

But as GG he acquired greatness with every step, filling the office with ease and dignity to spare, and by sheer perfection of performance and his exemplary private life, the dapper little man ‘walked with kings but never lost the common touch’.

As though to the manner born, the once turbulent and wily old politician, known fondly as ‘Sugar head’, was self-transformed into a human symbol that made independent Jamaicans walk with pride around the world.

Sir Clifford proved equally at home in the ballroom of King’s House or on the plains of Savanna-la-Mar. He carried out his engagements with style, hosting royalty, heads of state, delivering the Throne Speech, launching the Eastern Jamaica Anglers’ tournament, touring the bauxite and sugar industries, and presiding over cocktail parties and dinners at King’s House with aplomb.

He attended race days at Caymanas, cricket at Sabina, dedicated church organs, opened clinics and schools, was adept at taking the salute, enjoyed a social drink or two, preached a good sermon, and possessed a vintage wit and a casual assurance which were to prove a continuous magnet throughout his career.

On the eve of his retirement he returned to the National Stadium where the story had started 10 years before. There, before another capacity crowd, Sir Clifford and Lady Campbell were given a fond farewell by Jamaicans of every class and creed.

As his Austin Princess car exited the Stadium for the last time through the McDonald tunnel, tears were mixed with the cheers from the massive crowd.

His final official act that morning had been to swear in Sir Herbert Duffus, the chief justice, as acting governor general. Sir Clifford was eventually succeeded by Sir Florizel Glasspole on June 27, 1973.

Sir Clifford died in 1991 at the age of 90.

Lance Neita

Sir Clifford Campbell

Hugh Shearer

Alexander Bustamante

King’s House, the official residence of the governor general.