Former Governor General Sir Howard Cooke was laid to rest on Friday, August 8,2014, in a dignified and stately manner as befitting the office he held as former head of state. Sir Howard was lauded as a man who served the nation with distinction in a number of capacities, including politician, a founding father of the political system, teacher, churchman, sportsman, cabinet minister, and Governor General.

He was lauded for his pursuit of excellence in all his endeavours, but most particularly for the dignity with which he maintained his office as first citizen; his humility, his leadership, and his inborn capacity to “walk with kings and keep the common touch”.

Sir Howard understood more than anyone else that the office of Governor General demands the strictest impartiality and widest distance from party politics. And, while some found it difficult to separate his party affiliation and political career from the eulogies trumpeted by certain sectors, Sir Howard himself would have disapproved of any suggestion that his party membership be linked in any way to his contribution to national leadership while serving in his late capacity.

As a Jamaican in high office, he maintained the tradition and examples set by his two native-born predecessors, Sir Clifford Campbell and Sir Florizel Glasspole, and followed by his successors, Sir Kenneth Hall and Sir Patrick Allen, of demonstrating the extraordinary ability of Jamaican sons of the soil to master the trappings of King’s House with consummate ease and authority.

Sir Howard was appointed by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on the nomination of then Prime Minister Michael Manley on August 1, 1991, succeeding Sir Florizel Glasspole who was our third Governor General in Independence.

But, let’s go back to the history of those exciting, giddy years when we were ‘Jamaicanising’ the country with the rapid changes necessary to cement our position as a new nation. Many have forgotten that Sir Kenneth Blackburne, who was the former English Governor up to August 6, 1962, had been sworn in as the first Governor General of independent Jamaica. This was meant to be a temporary position, a bridge between Jamaica’s previous colonial status and that of the newly independent nation. For the first time in our history, and as a natural step of progression, we were getting set to see a true-born Jamaican take over the seat from a long line of colonial English rulers.

And as we moved into first gear, following the excitement of the Independence ceremonies, there was much debate as to who, and what sort of person, should be chosen to occupy King’s House. For centuries it had been the home of British governors sent out to rule the colony on behalf of England, and was jealously preserved for the upper echelon of society’s cocktail parties, and far removed from the common man who would normally gain entry only through the back door.

So, when the prime minister, Sir Alexander Bustamante, confided to the visiting premier of Nigeria Dr M I Okpara, in October 1962: “I am going to put a coloured man as governor general in King’s House. After all, we are 90 per cent coloured in Jamaica,” the statement made headline news. Many refused to believe him. The influential sectors had been plugging for a ‘white’ or ‘brown’ man to hold that lofty position. They were stunned.

Bets were made that the prime minister’s choice, whoever it was, would be proven wrong. Assuming that the nominee’s wife would probably be black, the upper St Andrew verandah gossip scoffed that such a person would be unable to manage the etiquette, graciousness, and social mannerisms demanded from the first lady. Black was not meant for King’s House, they said. Some actually packed up and left. The post had traditionally belonged to white Brits, and they did not believe that Busta could make such a drastic change.

Earlier on, speculation had been rife that Busta’s marriage to his former secretary, Gladys Longbridge, on September 6, was a prelude to their moving into King’s House. Indeed, he probably gave it serious consideration, but it was his trusted lieutenant, Hugh Shearer, who convinced him that a man named 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 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.

All through October the choice of Campbell was kept a closely guarded secret between Busta and Shearer. Then, on October 18, 1962, the dramatic announcement was made by The Queen from London. Campbell was informed by cable 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 his car on several occasions to walk among the crowds.

His official swearing-in ceremony took place before a capacity crowd in the National Stadium on December 1, 1962. It was a historic as well as one of the most defining moments of Jamaica’s history. Sir Clifford immediately took up his office with gusto and began an islandwide tour to impress on Jamaicans the symbolism of his appointment in the context of an independent nation that had just thrown off colonial status.

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.” “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 “cooperate 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 single 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 on the St Elizabeth tour. 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. The dapper little man 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. As though to the manor 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 industrial estates, 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, December 1, 1973, he returned to the National Stadium, where the story had started 10 years before. There, before another capacity crowd, Sir Clifford and Lady Alice 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 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.

The Gleaner editorial of Wednesday, February 28, 1973 summed up the feelings of the country: “For more than 10 years Sir Clifford and Lady Alice have adorned King’s House, the historic centre of rule. They have converted it over these years into an authentic symbol of Jamaica’s new national life. The country owes them a widespread, epochal debt of gratitude.” Undoubtedly, he set the pace for others to follow.

He died in 1991 and was laid to rest beside Lady Alice in National Heroes Park.

Lance Neita is a public relations and communications specialist. Comments to the Observer or to lanceneita@hotmail.com

CAP:

Sir Howard Cooke, Jamaica’s third governor general, was laid to rest in Heroes’ Park on Friday, August 8, 2014.

Sir Clifford Campbell

GLASSPOLE… succeeded Campbell as governor general