By Barbara Ellington, Senior Gleaner Writer
One of the uniformed groups which attended the funeral. - Ian Allen/Staff Photographer
AS EARLY as noon, many mourners had begun to arrive at the Roman Catholic Holy Trinity Cathedral on North Street, central Kingston, where the state funeral of the Most Hon. Hugh Lawson Shearer, a former Prime Minister, took place yesterday, starting at 2 o' clock.
Some people in the neighbourhood stood by their gates, others milled around the perimeter of National Heroes Park while others picked out their vantage spot in the precincts of the Holy Trinity Cathedral, across the road from Kingston College.
The seats in the tent erected on the church grounds were almost completely occupied by 12.15 p.m., and choirs, uniformed groups, country folk, the curious and hoards of security personnel suffered the afternoon heat as they waited for the dignitaries to make their appearances.
Early arrivals included Michael Lee-Chin, chairman of the National Commercial Bank, who continues to express his gratitude for the scholarship he received from the late Prime Minister.
GREENWICH FARM DAYS
Edgar Bernard, formerly of Rock River, Clarendon, and his friend Oswald Lawrence, said they could not miss the moment because, "We knew Mr. Shearer from the Greenwich Farm days. He helped us in the union (and) we (were never in) want for anything. He was the best man to run Jamaica."
Arthur Williams Sr., 91 years old in August, a former Member of Parliament for Manchester South, arrived with his son, Arthur Williams Jr., Despite his advancing years, his step was strong and his characteristic wide grin was still expressive. "You know I had to come," he told The Gleaner.
A. G. Gooden, 'The Sheriff', stood out in top hat and tails and standing ramrod straight. He showed off his 'sheriff's badge' to everyone and bragged that he had been one of National Hero Norman Manley's first bodyguards. "I knew Mr. Shearer in his early days in politics and he gave me the name 'Sheriff'."
Herman Ellis recalled the time he canvassed polling stations for Mr. Shearer's first election. "I got knocked out with a stone, but he was understanding and helpful to me."
The members of the Port Bustamante Pensioners' Associa-tion, Kingston, were eye-catching in their blue hard hats, as were the smartly attired members of the Airline Pilots' Association and the uniformed groups forming the guard of honour at the entrance to the cathedral.
WELL-DRILLED AND POLISHED
When the hearse bearing the casket arrived half hour later, the well-drilled and polished Jamaica Defence Force soldiers moved smartly in place. With precision and care, they carried Mr. Shearer's remains: head rest march, up the steps and into the hallowed edifice.
Also waiting to pay their last respects were the finalists in the 'Miss Jamaica Independence' beauty pageant, all carrying long-stemmed roses, no doubt to be left on the grave later on.
Adding colour to the solemn occasion were several hats that adorned the heads of scores of female mourners. Mrs. Cecil Charlton's will long be remembered. And there were looks of approval at Senator Delano Franklyn, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, who wore a black felt hat. Babatunde Taylor of the Nigerian High Commission also stood out in his white African regalia.
Of course, the funeral would not be complete without the large number of inner-city women sporting all manner of skimpy, sheer, sequinned and full-length evening gowns topped by elaborate designed coiffures.
One lone voice in the crowd captured the mood of the day as she was overheard saying, "What a sight; me wish me could see PNP and Labourite a rub shoulder so every day."
