Governor-General, the Most Hon. Florizel Glasspole, made his first public appearance in his official ceremonial uniform — a striking ensemble of green, gold, and black — during Monday’s National Honours and Awards ceremony. The occasion, which marked a departure from previous venues, saw Mr. Glasspole presiding over the presentation of 81 national awards before a distinguished audience at King’s House. His debut in the new attire drew notable attention and applause from the gathering.

Published Tuesday, October 22, 1974

81 Presented with National Honours

At a colourful ceremony watched by a representative cross-section of the Jamaican community, persons who have contributed to the growth and development of their country, Jamaica, and who have been rewarded with national honours, received them from the Governor-General.
The Most Hon. Florizel Glasspole was, for the first time, dressed in his official uniform — a military uniform of green, gold, and black — as he presented 81 awards at the ceremony, which was a departure from previous years in that it was held away from Up Park Camp and included a military parade.
The Order of Jamaica, the fourth highest award of the nation, was presented to Mrs. Louise Bennett-Coverley, popularly known as “Miss Lou”, for her outstanding contribution to the arts.
Sir Robert Kirkwood, who had been conferred a similar award for public service, particularly in the field of agriculture, was not present to receive his award.
Three awards were presented posthumously for services to the trade union movement, agriculture, education, sports, and social services.
Mrs. Osmond Oliver Dyce received the award for her husband’s contribution to the trade union movement. Mrs. Lloyd Beresford Robinson, whose husband was former Deputy Chief Technical Officer in the Ministry of Agriculture, received the award on behalf of her late husband. The award to Mr. Mortimer Lincoln Elliott Geddes for public service, particularly in the fields of education, sports, and social services, was presented to his 11-year-old son, David Geddes.
Mrs. Launcelot Hammond received the award on behalf of her husband, who is ill, for services to the trade union movement.
Receiving their awards as Commanders of the Order of Distinction were Mr. Alexander Briscoe Smith, Mr. Charles Vincent Henderson-Davis, Dr. Lenworth Mayhew Jacobs, Mr. Henry Richmond Harold Fowler, Mr. Evon Blake, Dr. Mary Jane Selvwright, Mr. Trevor Hewitt Donaldson, Mr. Samuel Michael Motta, Mrs. Lelia James Tomlinson, Professor John Simon Golding, and Mr. Osmond Oliver Dyce.
Absent
Mr. Alvin Tolman Marriott was not present to receive his award.
Awards for the Order of Distinction were presented to Mr. Robert Carvel Winton Byles, Mr. Noel Wilbert Pigott, Mr. Lloyd Beresford Robinson, Mr. Lorrel Sylvester Bruce, Lt. Colonel Karl Ian Jameson, Mr. Vincent Henry Lawrence, Miss Haley Idalia Glasspole, Mr. Cecil Valentine Bradshaw, Mr. Ed Lewis, Sister Mary Benedict, Mr. St. William Grant, the Rev. Edmund Henry Greaves, Miss Monica Marie DeSouza, Mr. Colin McBean Fairweather, Mr. Mortimer Lincoln Geddes, Mr. Donald Percival Lacy, Mrs. Violet May Headcock, Mr. Sydney Octavius Veitch, and Mr. Melmoth Ludford Rowe.
Mr. Louis Patrick Delapenha and Mr. Stanley Edwin Brooks were not present to receive their awards.
Receiving the Badge of Honour for gallantry was Mr. Alexander Baugh.
Badges of Honour for meritorious service were presented to Mrs. Gwen Agatha Goodison, Mr. Harold Samuel Williamson, Mr. Vernon Ivanhoe Levy, Mr. David Thomas Patterson, Mrs. Edna Evelyn Lawrence, Mr. Eric Percival Gallimore, Mrs. Enid Nelson, Mr. David Fyffe, Mr. Lancelot Hammond, Mr. Edgar Lewis Darlington, Mr. Ivanhoe Everrod Williams, Miss Linnette Olga Beckford, Mr. Samuel Josiah Hines, Mr. George Henry Brown, Miss Ivy Rookwood, Mr. Augustus Neil, Mr. Elton Mitchell, Mr. Lester McKenzie, and Mr. Allan Adams.
Miss Cynthia Annette Morris, Mrs. Norma Althea McNamee, and Mr. Benjamin Plummer were not present to receive their awards.
Medal of Honour
The Medal of Honour for meritorious service for the Jamaica Defence Force was received by Colour Sergeant Archibald Aldrick Thompson.
Medals of Honour for meritorious service to the Jamaica Constabulary Force were received by Assistant Commissioner of Police D. O. Campbell, Senior Superintendent C. S. Griffiths, Senior Superintendent E. A. Harrison, Superintendent C. L. Warren, M.B.E., Assistant Superintendent H. I. Allan, Assistant Superintendent L. F. Polson, Sergeants E. G. Blake and E. G. Hyman, Acting Corporal E. P. Broadbell, Detective Constable F. L. Thomas, Staff Officer W. C. Walcott, and Commander D. B. Bogle.
For meritorious service to the Fire Brigade, Medals of Honour were presented to Assistant Superintendent I. G. Marston, Chief Officers L. V. Cooke and L. G. German, and District Officer D. Bansie.
Fourth Officer P. German was present to receive his award.
Badges of Honour for long and faithful service went to Mrs. Gladys Pettigrew, Mr. Eric Admond Gordon, Mr. Canute Herbert Nairne, Mr. Fitzgerald Horatio Nathan, Mr. Victor Mullings, Mr. John J. Keith Fletcher, Mr. Arthur George Williams, Mr. Franklyn Ernest Massias, and Mr. Albert Parkes.
Heading the distinguished company that attended the ceremony was the Prime Minister, the Hon. Michael Manley, who was accompanied by Mrs. Manley. They arrived precisely at their seats, escorted by the Commissioner of Police Mr. Basil Robinson.
Her Excellency the Most Honourable Mrs. Florizel Glasspole, accompanied by her Lady-in-Waiting, followed next.
Salute
The Governor-General made his appearance at 8:59 a.m., and there was a stir in the crowd as all looked to see him in his new official uniform.
Mr. Glasspole was accompanied to the saluting base by the Chief of Staff of the Jamaica Defence Force, Brigadier Rudolph Green; the Commanding Officer of the First Battalion of the Jamaica Regiment, Lt. Colonel Leslie Lloyd; and his A.D.C., Lt. Hector Atkinson.
There he took the Royal Salute.
After the salute, the presentation of the awards followed. The citations were read by Mr. Neville Smith, the Governor-General’s Secretary.
After the presentation, the Governor-General went back to the saluting base for the Royal Salute the playing of the National Anthem.
When he left the saluting base for the second time, he went across to the Prime Minister and shook hands with him; Mrs. Manley he kissed. He shook hands with the other Ministers of Government who were present.
Next, he went to where members of the Diplomatic and Consular Corps were assembled and shook hands with them also.
Accompanied by his wife, the Prime Minister, along with Brigadier Rudolph Green and Mr. Basil Robinson, departed. The Governor-General then took his leave, signalling the end of the ceremony.

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