Sir Clifford Husbands Was Barbados’ Sixth Governor General
Sir Clifford Husbands was Barbados’ sixth Governor General, assuming the position on June 1, 1996, after Dame Nita Barrow, died in office in December 1995. Sir Clifford was the longest serving Governor General of Barbados, functioning as Head of State from 1996 until he retired in October 2011. There will be a period of mourning for Sir Clifford Husbands from Wednesday, November 1, to Friday, November 3. During that time, all flags will be flown at half-mast, until after his burial.
Born on 5 August, 1926 at Morgan Lewis Plantation, in the rural parish of St. Andrew. He was educated at Selah Boy’s Elementary School in St. Lucy between 1931 and 1936, and at the Parry School and Harrison College between 1936 and 1946.
On leaving Harrison College, Sir Clifford returned to the Parry School where he taught for three years before studying Law at the Middle Temple in London. Sir Clifford became qualified as a Barrister and was called to Bar there in 1952.
Sir Clifford returned to Barbados and was admitted to practice law at the local Bar. He then entered private practice in the Chambers of Mr. W. W. Reece between 1952 and 1954. In 1954, he acted as Deputy Registrar. From 1954 and 1960, Sir Clifford held various legal appointments in Antigua, Montserrat, Grenada, St. Kitts-Nevis and Anguilla.
Sir Clifford returned to Barbados in 1960 and assumed the role as Assistant to the Attorney-General and Legal Draftsman. He was appointed Director of Public Prosecutions in 1967 and was promoted to the dignity of Queen’s Counsel in 1968.
During his lengthy career, Sir Clifford held the roles of Director of Public Prosecutions, a Supreme Court Judge, Justice of Appeal and acting Chief Justice before becoming Governor General.
In recognition of his long and outstanding legal and judicial service to Barbados, Sir Clifford was awarded the Gold Crown of Merit in 1986 and a Companion of Honour in 1989. He received the highest national honour in1995 when he was made a Knight of St. Andrew.
Condolence books for the former Governor General will be available for signing on Wednesday, November 1, and Thursday, November 2, at the Supreme Court, Whitepark Road, St. Michael, from 8:15 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. both days. A condolence book will also be placed at Harrison College during the period of mourning, between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., and at St. Lucy Parish Church on the morning of the funeral. The State Funeral will also be carried live on television and radio.
The funeral procession will depart Lyndhurst Funeral Home, Passage Road, St. Michael, at 7:45 a.m., and head north along the Ronald Mapp Highway accompanied by outriders from the Royal Barbados Police Force. Members of the Barbados Defence Force would serve as pallbearers and accompany the procession, which is expected to arrive at the church at 8:30 a.m.
There will be a musical prelude from the Royal Barbados Police Force Band from 9:00 a.m. until the arrival of the Chief Justice, the Prime Minister and the current Governor General. A traditional Anglican service will begin at 10:00 a.m. and end just after 11:00 a.m. The internment will be in the church yard and Sir Clifford will be laid next to his late wife, Lady Husbands.
Following the Gun Salute and The Last Post and Reveille, the grave will be covered and wreaths laid by Sir Clifford’s children, the Prime Minister and Chief Justice.
Former Bishop of Barbados, The Right Reverend Dr. Rufus Brome; Dean Emeritus, Senator The Very Reverend Harold Crichlow; Priest-in-charge of St. Lucy Parish Church, Reverend Canon Seibert Small; and Chairman of the Barbados Christian Council, Reverend Canon Noel Burke, will officiate at the service.
Sir Frederick Ballantyne, Governor General of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, will be among the specially-invited guests expected to attend.